BBSN 1, Fall 2026

Abstract

This Breeding Bird Survey Newsletter (BBSN 1) was released in November 2026. Subjects in this newsletter are: 1. Celebrating the 60th Anniversary of the North American Breeding Bird Survey (BBS); 2. Staff updates, including leadership transitions; 3. Meet the BBS, featuring profiles of U.S. and Canadian BBS staff; 4. BBS News, including the BBS Modernization Project, creation of the National Avian Monitoring Science Team, 2026 BBS data and results releases, establishment of digital archives, and future program initiatives; 5. BBS By the Numbers, highlighting participation, route coverage, survey effort, and number of birds detected during the program's 60-year history; 6. Welcome New Observers, including participation resources and data-entry guidance; 7. Observer Milestones recognizing years of service and route-survey achievements; 8. Featured Observer highlighting longtime Montana observer Ed Harper; 9. In Memoriam, recognizing BBS observers and Canadian BBS pioneer Tony Erskine; 10. Coordinator’s Corner, introducing new state coordinators and recognizing retiring coordinators; 11. Frequently Asked Questions covering route species lists, paper forms, stop descriptions, and route changes; 12. Upcoming birding festivals and ornithological meetings; 13. Recent scientific literature using BBS data; 14. Request for Information from the BBS community; and 15. Appendix: BBS Species Updates describing recent taxonomic and checklist changes incorporated into the BBS Master Species List.