Kenya Bird Map (Full protocol and Adhoc records)

Study Extent

The study region is divided into pentads (5 minute x 5 minute squares) and each pentad is surveyed for a minimum of 2 hours covering all habitats representatively. The maximum survey time period is 5 days

Sampling

The standard protocol is as follows: Spend at least two (2) hours recording as many different species in the pentad by visiting all (or as many different) habitats as possible. This is known as the initial intensive survey, or grid bash. These surveys will help us get fairly comprehensive bird lists for each grid cell. Record the species in the order that you see and/or hear them. This will help us gauge which are likely to be the more common species in the pentad. Keep a note of the end of each hour during your initial intensive survey. This helps us work out how much effort you put in during each survey and which birds are easier detected than others. The maximum survey period for any one pentad is five (5) days. The initial intensive survey should, where possible, take place on day 1 of the five days and you can then add any new species (in the order that you see them) to the list after the initial intensive survey up until the end of the fifth day. A new survey or checklist should only be started after each five day period for each pentad. Keep track of how much time you spend (to the nearest hour) adding any new species after your initial intensive survey.

Quality Control

All records are vetted against multiple know occurance datasets, out of known range records are queried and verified before inclusion

Method steps

1. The standard protocol is as follows: Spend at least two (2) hours recording as many different species in the pentad by visiting all (or as many different) habitats as possible. This is known as the initial intensive survey, or grid bash. These surveys will help us get fairly comprehensive bird lists for each grid cell. Record the species in the order that you see and/or hear them. This will help us gauge which are likely to be the more common species in the pentad. Keep a note of the end of each hour during your initial intensive survey. This helps us work out how much effort you put in during each survey and which birds are easier detected than others. The maximum survey period for any one pentad is five (5) days. The initial intensive survey should, where possible, take place on day 1 of the five days and you can then add any new species (in the order that you see them) to the list after the initial intensive survey up until the end of the fifth day. A new survey or checklist should only be started after each five day period for each pentad. Keep track of how much time you spend (to the nearest hour) adding any new species after your initial intensive survey.

This resource covers bird sightings and surveys throughout Kenya