Volunteer Bird Watchers are Key to Continent-Wide Survey's Success: Each year, over a short period of time in early spring, a well-organized network of more than 2500 skilled amateur birders and professional biologists participate in the North American Breeding Bird Survey (BBS). The BBS is a large-scale roadside survey to monitor breeding bird populations across North America. About 3000 different routes, measuring 24.5 miles each, are surveyed annually. Surveys begin thirty minutes before sunrise and normally require 4-5 hours to complete. Sky condition, wind speed, and temperature also are recorded at the beginning and end of each survey. Data on breeding populations can reveal whether major population changes of a species in certain states are related to a continental decline or merely represent population shifts within a species' breeding range. The BBS has been gathering data since 1966 on the abundance, distribution, and population trends of more than 400 bird species. The BBS is jointly coordinated by the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) and the Canadian Wildlife Service. Individuals who are interested in participating in the survey can visit the BBS Web site: http://www.mp2-pwrc.usgs.gov/bbs/index.htm. The site also includes route location maps, a bird species list, abstracts and newsletters, and results of data analysis. Contact: Bruce Peterjohn; 301-497-5841; bruce_peterjohn@usgs.gov.

Water Quality at Abandoned Vermont Mine Described at Providence Meeting: The effects of acid mine drainage on surface and ground water at the abandoned Elizabeth Copper Mine in Orange County, Vermont, will be presented by scientist Robert Seal at the Northeastern Section of the Geological Society of America meeting, scheduled for March 22-24 at the Westin Hotel, Providence, Rhode Island. Sampling by the USGS, in cooperation with the Elizabe
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Contact: Diane Noserale
dnoseral@usgs.gov
703-648-4333
United States Geological Survey
23-Mar-1999