Phenology effects in the North American Breeding Bird Survey

Publication Date

2022-12-02

Start Date

1966

End Date

2019

Sauer, J.R., and Link, W.A., 2022, Phenology effects in the North American Breeding Bird Survey: US Geological Survey data release, https://doi.org/10.5066/P9812ULJ.

Phenology effects in birds are currently of great scientific interest, as they may reflect the "thumbprint" of climate change. Migrant birds are thought to be arriving earlier on breeding grounds, and it is thought that changes in climate (earlier onset spring and warmer summers) are influencing bird population dynamics through effects on breeding and survival. Documenting whether bird species are changing the timing of breeding activity is essential to increasing our understanding of climate effects on birds, and the BBS is a primary source of information on bird activity during the breeding season. Changes in bird phenology might also be influencing our estimates of bird population change, by decreasing counts due to phenological effects rather than to actual population change. We implemented an innovative new approach for modeling changes in bird activity through the breeding season with BBS data; these changes in bird activity are likely reflecting changes in breeding activity. Models were implemented for 408 species; data files presented here document change for each species for a sample of years and latitudes that provide information that can be used to evaluate temporal and spatial changes in phenology. See the North American Breeding Bird Survey Dataset (https://www.sciencebase.gov/catalog/item/52b1dfa8e4b0d9b325230cd9) for information on the most recent data release from the BBS. The BBS is hosted by the Eastern Ecological Science Center (EESC, https://www.usgs.gov/centers/eesc). Primary results are provided in csv spreadsheet form, and are described in this metadata. The information is also provided alternative summary formats, including rdata files and pdf files with graphical summaries. These results are based on modified versions of methods that have been peer reviewed and exist in the published literature; the most recent reference for the methods is found in Link et al. (Link, W. A., J. R. Sauer, and D. K. Niven. 2020. Model selection for the North American Breeding Bird Survey. Ecological Applications 30(6):e02137. 10.1002/eap.2137). Users also have access to all data collected by the survey, at (http://www.pwrc.usgs.gov/bbs/). Standard disclaimers for use of information are also provided (http://www.mbr-pwrc.usgs.gov/bbs/disclaim.html).

ScienceBase WMS

• Eastern Ecological Science Center
• USGS Data Release Products