Why a grassland bird survey in New Jersey?
Grassland habitat in the Northeast has been disappearing rapidly due to urban sprawl. Grassland bird declines have been documented in Breeding Bird Surveys fro New Jersey. Less than 8% of land in New Jersey is in cropland pastureland of 100 acres or greater. However, New Jersey has preserved 14% of its farmland, a higher percentage than any other state, and is launching a new Land Incentive Program. 2008 Grassland Surveys CITIZEN SCIENTISTS NEEDED! Grassland Survey 2008 We are recruiting competent volunteers to undertake surveys for grassland birds along established routes and in managed grasslands, and to collect data on bird abundance and habitat characteristics. Participants must have some familiarity with grassland birds and be willing to improve their skills! Each volunteer will be expected to visit their study area 2 times during the period May 1st – June 30, twice for bird counts and twice to record habitat characteristics. Additional training in identification and counting meth
