What is a point count survey?

Many wildlife refuges measure bird populations by doing point count surveys. These surveys provide crucial information to our biologists, but gathering the data is an intensive process, certainly not for the faint of heart. In spring 2021 we had two field technicians with American Bird Conservancy, Kandace and Paris, take on the task at Balcones Canyonlands National Wildlife Refuge in Texas. They got up before sunrise and trekked 4-6 miles each day. Here’s a look at their journey.

Video produced by Claire Hassler for Balcones Canyonlands National Wildlife Refuge. Special thanks to the American Bird Conservancy.

Audio described version:    • What is a point count survey?  (Audio...  

https://www.fws.gov

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is the oldest federal conservation agency, tracing its lineage back to 1871, and the only agency in the federal government whose primary responsibility is management of fish and wildlife for the American public. The Service helps ensure a healthy environment for people by providing opportunities for Americans to enjoy the outdoors and our shared natural heritage.

We manage the National Wildlife Refuge System with more than 560 National Wildlife Refuges as well as small wetlands and other special management areas encompassing more than 150 million acres. Under the Fisheries program we also operate over 70 National Fish Hatcheries and 65 fishery resource offices. The Ecological Services program has 86 field stations across all 50 states.

The vast majority of fish and wildlife habitat is on non-federal lands. Voluntary habitat protection and restoration programs like the Partners for Fish and Wildlife Program and the Coastal Program and other partnership programs are the primary ways we deliver habitat conservation on public and private lands.

The Service employs approximately 9,000 people at facilities across the U.S. The Service is a decentralized organization with a headquarters office in Washington, D.C., with regional and field offices across the country. Our organizational chart shows structure and also provides information on senior management.