IMPLEMENTATION &
METHODS
ABOUT THE UTM SYSTEM.
The Universal Transverse Mercator (UTM) system is a global coordinate framework that divides the Earth into zones, each with a structured grid layout. It uses metres as its unit of measurement, making it especially suitable for precise spatial mapping and ecological monitoring.
In the PatchBird Initiative, we apply a 1×1 km UTM grid, which segments the landscape into uniform square units – each representing one square kilometre. This structure supports consistent and standardised data collection across diverse habitats and regions.
Each grid square is referenced by a unique UTM code corresponding to the coordinates of its bottom-left corner. This precise spatial referencing enables detailed mapping and analysis of relative abundance, making it easier to visualise trends, compare regions, and assess changes over time.
A typical example of the 1x1 km UTM Grid System overlay showing the Yucatán Peninsula, Mexico.
CHOOSING YOUR SURVEY SPOT.
When contacting the project coordinator, potential participants should indicate the general area where they intend to conduct their surveys. This could be your local neighbourhood, a favourite birding site, or an area near your workplace.
Based on your selected area, the project team will generate several survey locations. You will then be able to choose one or more for your participation. Since these locations are not public eBird Hotspots, they will only become visible in your account after the coordinator shares an empty checklist (with no species recorded) linked to the designated location. Once you accept the shared checklist, the location will appear in your eBird account and must be used for all surveys within the project. Please do not create new locations independently; always use the one provided. After you submit your first checklist, the empty one will be deleted.
To enable this setup, participants are asked to privately share their eBird username with the project. We also encourage you to mark your assigned survey location as a personal patch in eBird. Over time, regular visits to the same location often yield unexpected and valuable observations.
SURVEY PROTOCOL.
Participants will be guided to conduct surveys within designated UTM grid cells using standardised eBird protocols. These protocols include clear instructions on survey effort – such as duration, distance, and method – to ensure consistency and comparability across locations and observers.
Collected data will be processed using advanced modelling techniques to estimate relative abundance, enabling the creation of detailed maps and analytical reports that highlight key population trends and inform conservation priorities.
Survey Duration and Methodology
eBird Breeding Codes
Timing of Surveys & Frequency
Each survey is 15 minutes long and conducted from a stationary position within a designated UTM grid square. Small movements around the survey spot is allowed (within a 30 meters radius)
Surveyors record all detected bird species using the eBird Breeding Codes to document behaviour indicative of breeding activity (e.g., singing males, nests).
The preferred survey period is during the morning hours, when bird activity is typically higher, ensuring optimal detection rates. Multiple counts are required during the breeding season, with a minimum interval of 10 days and a maximum of 14 days between consecutive counts.
Nocturnal Surveys
Ethical
Considerations
Acessibility
Nocturnal surveys are also acceptable for monitoring night-active species, provided safety measures are observed. For nocturnal species, incidental checklists are also accepted.
Surveyors must respect property boundaries and avoid trespassing on private land without prior authorization.
For points located on open water bodies, surveys should be conducted from the nearest accessible shore with an unobstructed view. If a survey point falls on non-accessible property, the survey may be conducted from a nearby accessible location with clear visibility to the original point.