How to monitor
Choosing the right survey design for your purpose is crucial.
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Study site selection
This is your top priority at the design stage. Carefully select the number of study sites required to meet the needs of your study, and also how they are distributed to ensure they are representative of your study area.
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Sampling effort
Consider whether your study sites are an appropriate size for your purpose, and how much sampling effort will be required at each. Also, determine whether repeat counts are required in order to take advantage of methods to account for imperfect detection.
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Sampling events
Consider how frequently (e.g. monthly, yearly), and when (e.g. summer only), you will survey your study sites.
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Bird count method
Selecting a method for counting birds is tricky because there are lots of choices available. However, selecting the method for counting birds is of secondary importance to the first three steps of the survey design process.