DAS/eBird Hotspot Tracking Program

If you are already familiar with eBird, the main difference you will notice with the new DAS/eBird collaboration is that all of the 30 birding hotspots on the DAS Duluth/Superior Birding Map are now coordinated with eBird's listing of hotspots in this area. The eBird listings, however, may not appear exactly as they do on the map, since eBird is making an effort to pinpoint exact locations that may be covered by a greater area on the map. For example, Lester/Amity Park on the map may show as two distinct listings on eBird.  In addition, hotspots in the area that had multiple listings on eBird should no longer show duplications, and areas that we deem not to be true hotspots will be eliminated from the listings. (In addition to our 30 hotspots, we've added Boulder Lake as hotspot #31, though it doesn't show on our map. And, you'll find that other birders have added many other hotspots within the region, including most of the region's state parks, etc.) All 31 DAS hotspots will also appear on eBird's map of area hotspots.

Benefits To You:
To be able to fully utilize the eBird.org website, including being able to see a map showing all local hotspots, you must register on the site by choosing a user name and password. Once you are registered, you can use eBird to:

* Track and study your own birding observations at any and all local hotspots or personal spots of your own choosing - including your own backyard.

* View all of the data submitted by all other users - locally, statewide or nationally.

* Create a history of your own birding observations, including keeping an on-line life list, tracking your own phenology observations and comparing your own data to local, state or national trends.

* View hotspot data to determine where to go birding for specific species, both locally and nationally.

* Get real time alerts of any rare birds seen throughout the state. (Rare bird sightings are automatically flagged and authenticated.)

* Enjoy the satisfaction of knowing that your own personal observations are part of a very valuable citizen science program.

Benefits to DAS:
* This on-going tracking program will provide DAS, local scientists and land-use managers with valuable information as to where to preserve and enhance local habitat. It will also signal warnings of threats to specific species.

* This program gives DAS members an important role in local scientific research, tying in with our commitment to citizen science.

* This joint effort encourages participation in the program, thus enhancing its value to DAS, local birders and the scientific community.

* Over a period of time, DAS will be able to potentially identify new hotspots within the region. We will also be able to limit hotspot listings to true "hotspots."

* The information gathered may lead to the creation of new Important Bird Areas.

We strongly encourage you to explore the many advantages of using eBird, and we hope that you'll encourage other birders to do so as well.
Once you become familiar with this program,
you'll be able to fully appreciate its value.

HOME     CITIZEN SCIENCE - BIRDING   eBird.org