# Meeting Notes: Citizen-Science Bird Survey Planning

Date: July 10, 2026
Time: 6:30-7:45 PM
Location: Riverside Community Center, Room B

## Attendees

- Maya Chen, project coordinator
- Daniel Ortiz, local Audubon chapter
- Priya Nair, volunteer data lead
- Thomas Reed, parks department liaison
- Elena Brooks, outreach coordinator
- Jamal Whitaker, survey volunteer captain
- Sophie Martin, high school ecology club advisor
- Grace Liu, note-taker

## Agenda

1. Confirm survey goals and target sites
2. Review volunteer training needs
3. Finalize data collection protocol
4. Discuss safety and accessibility considerations
5. Assign outreach and logistics tasks

## Discussion

The group agreed that the first survey cycle will focus on common breeding-season bird species in three public green spaces: Riverside Park, Mill Creek Trail, and North Pond Preserve. Priority species include red-winged blackbird, tree swallow, eastern phoebe, song sparrow, northern cardinal, and great blue heron.

Volunteers will survey fixed routes twice per month from August through October. Each survey will begin within two hours of sunrise and last no more than 90 minutes. Observers will record species, count, behavior, habitat notes, weather, and any signs of nesting or feeding activity.

Priya recommended using eBird for public submissions while maintaining a separate project spreadsheet for quality review and volunteer follow-up. Daniel offered to lead a short field identification session before the first survey weekend.

## Decisions

- Survey dates will begin the weekend of August 8-9, 2026.
- Volunteers will work in pairs, with at least one experienced birder per team when possible.
- eBird will be used for species checklists; project leads will export monthly data for review.
- Surveys will be canceled during heavy rain, thunderstorms, high winds, or poor visibility.
- Training will include bird identification, ethical observation, data entry, and trail safety.
- Riverside Park will serve as the pilot site for testing the protocol.

## Action Items

- Maya: Draft the volunteer schedule and circulate it by July 17.
- Daniel: Prepare a 45-minute bird identification training for July 25.
- Priya: Create the shared data review spreadsheet and submission guide by July 20.
- Thomas: Confirm park access rules, restroom availability, and early-morning gate schedules.
- Elena: Post volunteer recruitment notices on community boards and social media by July 15.
- Jamal: Pair new volunteers with experienced surveyors once sign-ups are complete.
- Sophie: Invite ecology club students and collect parent permission forms where needed.
- Grace: Send meeting notes to attendees and maintain the planning folder.