Video Protocol
The video below will lead you through how to conduct a PSSS seabird survey (19 min). The two videos further down explain how to record the distance to a bird and the bearing to a bird during a PSSS survey.
Why do we use Distance Sampling?
Using a ruler and a compass, surveyors gather data that allows scientists to estimate bird density through ‘distance sampling’. Simply counting the number of birds in a given location is a simpler approach, but it forces scientists to assume that all birds are detected by observers. In reality, detection of any species declines with the distance from the observer: poor sighting conditions, quality of observing equipment, and observer experience all contribute to declining detection likelihood as distance increases. Distance sampling provides a robust approach to estimating density and allows for calculation of less biased density estimates.
The above video explains how to measure distance during a seabird survey (4 min)
The above video explains how to record bearing during a seabird survey (5 min)
All videos were created by Jenn Lang, former Seattle Audubon Science Coordinator while the program was managed by Birds Connect Seattle (formerly Seattle Audubon)