Instructions - Bald Eagle Midwinter Survey - Standard Survey Routes (Ssrs)

The intent of the Midwinter Bald Eagle Survey (MWBES) is to capture survey data on eagle presence along consistent routes annually during similar time frames. This data is used to develop bald eagle trend analyses across the United States to help with long term management efforts.

In 2022 we transitioned data collection over to using a Survey 1-2-3 Form which is an online application that can be downloaded onto a tablet, smartphone or on a computer. This Form is where we now capture all data for the Midwinter Bald Eagle Surveys. This Form modernizes our data collection efforts and saves people time from doing duplicative efforts on data entry on a paper form and then sending to a state coordinator to enter the data into a system (that was the old way we captured data). A blank form is still available on the main Midwinter Bald Eagle Survey Website in PDF form in case you wish to capture data in the field on paper and then enter into the Survey 1-2-3 Form when you are back in the office.

Each SSR should be surveyed on a single day. Different SSRs can be conducted on different days within the count period. SSRs should cover the same area (e.g., length or river or amount of shoreline) each year. Otherwise counts should be classified as incomplete. Most surveys should have the same starting and end points each year, but it is acceptable to do surveys in reverse order.

If possible, each SSR should be conducted using the same technique (i.e., aerial, vehicle, boat, etc.) each year. The number of observers should be similar each year (if possible have the same individuals conduct each survey). Do not split or shorten an existing SSR because it makes trend analyses difficult if not impossible. If an existing route is extended, eagles seen on the additional portion should not be recorded on the MWBES Survey 1-2-3 Form. The additional area can be treated as a new, separate route, in which case an additional entry into the MWBES Survey 1-2-3 Form should be filled out. We can add new SSRs as long as they are clearly defined, but keep in mind we need at least 4 years of data before an SSR contributes to the trend analysis.

Please use the Survey 1-2-3 form for all standard surveys that have been consistently surveyed in multiple years. This makes data entry more accurate and efficient.

It is important to complete all sections of the Survey 1-2-3 Form.

Fill out one completed Survey 1-2-3 Form for each standard survey route. If a SSR is surveyed by more than one survey team, please consolidate findings on a single entry.

Please accurately document your route/survey locations. In order to provide consistent annual survey routes, it is essential that we identify the routes and locations you are surveying so they can be documented and reproduced in the future by you or other surveyors. The Survey 1-2-3 Form does not allow for specific route information, however we are collecting that data outside of the form. This data will be input into a GIS database that will identify survey routes and each route will be provided an identification number for ease of tracking in the future. By filling out the form on the main web page (Bird Initiative: National Midwinter Bald Eagle Survey) and providing a simple hand drawn map depicting the route or specific locations you survey and emailing to Michael.g.vissichelli@usace.army.mil the routes will be entered into the GIS database for use in future MWBES Surveys.