IMBCR:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is IMBCR?
IMBCR stands for Integrated Monitoring in Bird
Conservation Regions. The program was created to address
large-scale declines of avian populations and the need forextensive and rigorous landbird monitoring. IMBCR operates
as a partnership with multiple federal and state agencies
and NGO’s who contribute funding for monitoring.

What is IMBCR’s temporal and spatial extent?
IMBCR began in Colorado in 2008 and has since
expanded across the Great Plains to the IntermountainWest. It is now the second largest bird monitoring
program in the country, encompassing Colorado,Montana, Utah, Wyoming, and portions of 12 other states.
IMBCR survey extent as of 2019.

How are the data collected?
Every spring, dozens of observers skilled in bird ID are trained on IMBCR protocol and sent into the field to collectdata at random survey sites. Each survey consists of visiting a 1-km2 grid, which contains 16 evenly spaced point
count stations. At each point, ocular vegetation estimates are recorded, like average shrub cover and height. Anobserver then records all birds detected within a 6-min interval, including the distance to each bird. These methods
allow us to estimate the proportion of birds present but not detected at a survey (i.e., detection probability).
Do you survey on private land too?
Yes, IMBCR is an all-lands monitoring program. Our landownerliaison researches ownership for each survey site and contacts
landowners requesting permission for access. We only survey
approved survey sites. All landowner information is stored in asecure database to maintain anonymity. See Landowner FAQ’sfor additional information.

Example sampling frame for the Badlands andPrairies Bird Conservation Region with 1-km2 grids
and example grid containing 16 point count stations.

What are Bird Conservation Regions?
Bird Conservation Regions (BCRs) represent ecologically distinct
plant and bird communities and form the basis for IMBCR’s
sampling design. Within a sampling frame, all lands areavailable for sampling and all vegetation types are included, so
we can make inference about bird populations across private andpublic lands and all habitats.

How are sampling frames stratified?
Within BCRs, strata are created based on fixed attributes, such as state borders or management unit
boundaries. Stratification is determined by IMBCR funding partners based on areas to which they wish to makeinference. With a hierarchical sampling design, we can estimate bird population size within a smaller
management unit (e.g., National Forest) up to a state or even larger region. Because of spatially balanced
random grid selection, partners can adjust monitoring efforts while maintaining spatial coverage of a stratum.

Why do we need another monitoring program
when we have the Breeding Bird Survey (BBS)?
BBS data span the continental US, portions of Canada,and Mexico, and date back to the 1960’s. They provide
relative trend in bird populations over time and arefreely available to the public. As such, BBS data arefrequently used to assess regional populations.
However, BBS surveys are conducted along roads, so
survey coverage may be sparse in areas with limited
road access and inference about bird populations is
restricted to habitats along roads. BBS data provide
inference about bird populations at large scales, suchas a state, but a manager cannot make inference insmaller management units. Biologists also often needestimates of population size, not just trend, to makeinformed decisions. Estimating population size requires
accounting for birds that are present but not detectedduring a survey.

What results are produced with IMBCR?
Density, occupancy, and population size are estimatedat a variety of scales from a National Park up to a stateor BCR. Population trend is also available and includes
a level of certainty about the estimate (how sure are wethe population is increasing or decreasing?). Theseestimates are available for >250 different species
including songbirds, game birds, common raptors, andsome waterfowl and shorebirds.
Are IMBCR data available to the public?
Survey results and population estimates are available
to the public on the Rocky Mountain Avian Data Center.
General survey locations are included, but zoom
capability is restricted to protect private landowner
privacy. Funding partners have access to all data.
IMBCR data are available to those outside of the IMBCR
Partnership upon request and approval of a data
sharing agreement. Contact Bird Conservancy for adata request form.

How do we evaluate management actions withthe monitoring data? Biologists and land
managers often need to determine theeffectiveness of management decisions. Overlay
projects are one way to evaluate the impact ofmanagement actions (or natural disturbances)on bird populations. Overlays use the same
IMBCR field methods and sample selection, butthey are conducted over a subset of the IMBCR
sampling effort. We then compare population
estimates within overlay project areas to local orregional estimates.

What are some examples of how the data
have been used? Data from the IMBCR program
have been used for a variety of purposes. Basicoccurrence information is added to natural
heritage databases and used in NEPA reports
for project planning. State-wide estimates help
inform Species of Greatest Conservation Needin state wildlife action plans. Modelingvegetation and monitoring data has informed
species’ responses to conservation andmanagement efforts. Through overlay projects
and additional analyses, partners have asked
specific questions about landuse impacts onbirds. For example, birds were monitored insideand outside a natural gas development area todetermine the impact on sagebrush-obligatespecies and set management triggers for
Wyoming BLM. Multiple partners in Colorado
were interested in the impact of bark beetle
infestation on forest structure and various
songbird guilds at multiple scales to inform
post-outbreak management.

How can I learn more?
To learn more about IMBCR, the data available for use, or how to get involved, pleasecontact Jennifer Timmer (jennifer.timmer@birdconservancy.org, 970-482-1707 x25).
Check out the IMBCR website for additional information as well!