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Bird Monitoring
In 2022, the Land Trust teamed up with Boise State University and local birding enthusiasts to put their expertise to use as part of a new community science bird surveying program made possible by a grant from the Cornell Lab of Ornithology. For the pilot year, 10 committed volunteers took part in trainings through Cornell and BSU before completing two weeks of in-field surveys, tracking their observations closely in the eBird app.
The goal of this program is to engage and empower community members to turn their birding observations into data that can be used to inform land management decisions and measure restoration efforts on Land Trust preserves. With robust training and protocols, volunteers can help provide high quality data both locally and globally.
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We are excited to build on the momentum of last year’s surveys as we head into the second year of the program this spring. If you are a birder- whether you’re a novice, expert, or somewhere in between, we could use your help!
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To sign up to participate in the 2026 Bird Survey, contact Ben Majsterek, Stewardship Manger at: ben@woodriverlandtrust.org or 208-788-3947 ext. 110​
2026 CALENDAR OF EVENTS
APRIL 30
REQUIRED FOR NEW PARTICIPANTS
We will begin online Cornell eBird training. This is a self-paced 3-hour training on the eBird app. This is not required if you have completed it in the past. We plan on having everyone complete this training by the 11th of May.
REQUIRED FOR NEW PARTICIPANTS
With everyone completing the 3 hour Cornell eBird Training, please now watch this one-hour bird ID training video. This can be watched on your own, and is not required if you have watched it in the past.
MAY 11
COME IF YOU HAVE
QUESTIONS
eBird Q&A. If you've watched both trainings and still have questions, Ben will be available from 10am-2pm at the Wood River Land Trust office to lend a hand!
MAY 11
MAY 15-16
Required attendance to either the 15th or 16th of Field Survey Practice. This is a 2-3 hour session 6:30am-9:00am, that will be held in the field. Details about what to expect will be sent prior to the event.
REQUIRED FOR NEW PARTICIPANTS; ENCOURAGED FOR ALL
MAY 17-23
Choose one day during this week to complete the Migration Survey. Plan to spend 1-3 hours in the field on your chosen day.
MIGRATION SURVEY
JUNE 14-20
Choose one day during this week to complete the Breeding Survey. Plan to spend 1-3 hours in the field on your chosen day.