Bird Monitoring - National Forest Programs:

Region 4: Bridger-Teton National Forest

Rocky Mountain Bird Observatory has been conducting bird surveys in Wyoming’s Bridger-Teton National Forest since 2002 in a collaborative effort with the U.S. Forest Service. In 2009 RMBO changed its sampling design within the forest from a habitat-based to a spatially balanced, grid-based design in order to account for long-term changes to the landscape and to increase its ability to inform managers about low-density species. 

In 2010 RMBO’s sampling intensity within the forest increased significantly to eight surveys near roads and two in the forest’s interior.  Species commonly encountered in the forest include Western Tanager, American Robin, Dark-eyed Junco, Chipping Sparrow, Hermit Thrush, Mountain Chickadee and Yellow-rumped Warbler. The additional surveys allow RMBO and its partners to better understand the distribution and abundance of avian populations throughout the forest.  RMBO seeks to further expand its monitoring effort within Region 4 to allow data collected in the Bridger-Teton NF to contribute to larger-scale population-trend estimates throughout the region.


Hermit Thrush. Photo by Bill Schmoker


Yellow-rumped Warbler. Photo by Bill Schmoker