Female McKay's Bunting on St. Matthew Island.
Alaska provides breeding habitat for more than 140 regularly occurring species of landbirds, half of which breed predominantly north of the U.S.–Canada border. The road-based North American Breeding Bird Survey (BBS) provides some data on population trends in Alaska, but most northern species are inadequately monitored by that continental program because of a paucity of roads.
Boreal Partners in Flight developed the Alaska Landbird Monitoring Survey (ALMS) to monitor breeding populations of landbirds in the vast off-road areas of Alaska and to complement data collected from the roadside BBS.
The primary objective of ALMS is to monitor population trends of northern populations of landbirds using replicated point-count surveys in off-road areas to complement data collected by the roadside BBS.
Equally important, however, are similar surveys conducted for inventories or other purposes, which can be incorporated into analyses of distribution, habitat use, and population size (Figure 1 below). Most ALMS samples consist of a mini-grid of 12–25 points arrayed within a randomly shifted 10 km × 10 km grid across continental Alaska.
- Surveys for population trends are conducted biennially, with half of the samples surveyed in alternating years.
- Samples are stratified by accessibility and cost, and the initial stratum includes areas accessible by foot, vehicle, boat, or fixed-winged aircraft.
- The initial allocation of samples is concentrated in the Northern Pacific Rainforest and Northwestern Interior Rainforest Bird Conservation Regions, where landbird populations are most diverse and abundant.
- Additional samples have been allocated to Arctic and Western Alaska, and surveys in the remote Aleutian and Bering Sea islands are conducted by Alaska Maritime National Wildlife Refuge biologists as logistics allow.
The updated (Handel et al. 2021) ALMS protocol specifies 10-minute point counts replicated once per breeding season, with bird detections recorded in time and distance intervals so that detection probability can be estimated.
- Associated data on habitat are collected the first summer point counts are conducted; thereafter, habitat surveys are repeated every 10 years or whenever a major disturbance has occurred.
- Long-term monitoring will enable analysis of change in bird populations in relation to fire, disease and insect damage, resource development, climate-related change, and other landscape-level disturbances.
ALMS has received broad backing from nine state, federal, and non-governmental agencies, which signed a Memorandum of Understanding in 2005 supporting the program.
To find out more about how to participate in ALMS or add sampling sites, please see the additional information included on this site or contact the Program Coordinator.
Map with survey locations related to Bird Conservation Regions in AK
Figure 1. Locations of blocks and routes surveyed as part of the Alaska Landbird Monitoring Survey (ALMS), North American Breeding Bird Survey (BBS), and the Alaska Maritime National Wildlife Refuge (AMNWR) monitoring program in relation to Bird Conservation Regions (US NABCI 2000) within Alaska.
- Solid markers are blocks and routes regularly surveyed for long-term bird population trends.
- Open markers show blocks and routes that have been surveyed irregularly or dropped (Other, Inactive).
Click on map for larger image
Additional information on ALMS
- Alaska Landbird Monitoring Survey: Alaska Regional Protocol Framework for Monitoring Landbirds Using Point Counts (PDF 3414 KB)
- Revised protocol (Handel et al. 2021) for ALMS program on National Wildlife Refuges and other public lands.
- Revised protocol (Handel et al. 2021) for ALMS program on National Wildlife Refuges and other public lands.
- ALMS forms and reference materials (October 19, 2020; species' codes updated June 1, 2022)
- Data forms and reference sheets for collecting ALMS data in the field.
- Packing list of equipment and supplies needed when conducting ALMS surveys.
- A fillable form for completing a safety plan before heading to the field to conduct ALMS surveys.
- Supporting agencies—A memorandum of understanding supporting ALMS was signed in 2005 by nine federal, state, and non-governmental agencies.
- Original (2004) protocol for setting up and conducting surveys (PDF 828.26 KB)
- Original instructions (Handel and Cady 2004) for conducting ALMS surveys. See Handel et al. (2021) above for revised protocol.
- Original instructions (Handel and Cady 2004) for conducting ALMS surveys. See Handel et al. (2021) above for revised protocol.
Program coordinator
Steven M Matsuoka
Alaska Science Center
U.S. Geological Survey
Anchorage, AK 99508
smatsuoka@usgs.gov
907-786-7075
Below are other science projects associated with this project.
Boreal Partners in Flight
Conservation of Landbirds in Alaska
Monitoring and Research Boreal Partners in Flight Projects
About Boreal Partners in Flight
Alaska Raptor Group
Meeting and Project Summaries for Boreal Partners in Flight
Resources and Links for Boreal Partners in Flight
There is enormous value in learning about our natural world. Educational resources help us with this endeavor and help us teach others about landbirds. Note: This list is for your convenience. We are not advertising or endorsing any product or entity listed.
Landbird Research in Alaska
Bird Conservation Areas
Festivals Celebrating Birds in Alaska
Beak Deformities in Landbirds
Alaska Landbird Monitoring Survey Dataset
Below are multimedia items associated with this project.
Female McKay's Bunting on St. Matthew Island.
Male McKay's Bunting on St. Matthew Island
Male McKay's Bunting on St. Matthew Island
Male Wilson's Warbler on the Seward Peninsula, Alaska . This photo was taken on the Seward Peninsula as part of the Changing Arctic Ecosystem Boreal-Arctic Transition Zone program.
Male Wilson's Warbler on the Seward Peninsula, Alaska . This photo was taken on the Seward Peninsula as part of the Changing Arctic Ecosystem Boreal-Arctic Transition Zone program.
Male Wilson's Warbler. This photo was taken on the Seward Peninsula as part of the Changing Arctic Ecosystem Boreal-Arctic Transition Zone program.
Male Wilson's Warbler. This photo was taken on the Seward Peninsula as part of the Changing Arctic Ecosystem Boreal-Arctic Transition Zone program.
Lone male Yellow Warbler on the Seward Peninsula, Alaska. This photo was taken on the Seward Peninsula as part of the Changing Arctic Ecosystem Boreal-Arctic Transition Zone program.
Lone male Yellow Warbler on the Seward Peninsula, Alaska. This photo was taken on the Seward Peninsula as part of the Changing Arctic Ecosystem Boreal-Arctic Transition Zone program.
Male Lapland Longspur in dwarf shrub mat habitat. This photo was taken on the Seward Peninsula as part of the Changing Arctic Ecosystem Boreal-Arctic Transition Zone program.
Male Lapland Longspur in dwarf shrub mat habitat. This photo was taken on the Seward Peninsula as part of the Changing Arctic Ecosystem Boreal-Arctic Transition Zone program.
Short-eared Owl. This photo was taken on the Seward Peninsula as part of the Changing Arctic Ecosystem Boreal-Arctic Transition Zone program.
Short-eared Owl. This photo was taken on the Seward Peninsula as part of the Changing Arctic Ecosystem Boreal-Arctic Transition Zone program.
A closeup of a male Willow Ptarmigan.
Yellow Warbler nest in a tall shrub thicket habitat. This photo was taken on the Seward Peninsula as part of the Changing Arctic Ecosystem Boreal-Arctic Transition Zone program.
Yellow Warbler nest in a tall shrub thicket habitat. This photo was taken on the Seward Peninsula as part of the Changing Arctic Ecosystem Boreal-Arctic Transition Zone program.
Male Arctic Warbler on the Seward Peninsula, Alaska. This photo was taken on the Seward Peninsula as part of the Changing Arctic Ecosystem Boreal-Arctic Transition Zone program.
Male Arctic Warbler on the Seward Peninsula, Alaska. This photo was taken on the Seward Peninsula as part of the Changing Arctic Ecosystem Boreal-Arctic Transition Zone program.
American Golden-Plover nest in dwarf shrub mat habitat. This photo was taken on the Seward Peninsula as part of the Changing Arctic Ecosystem Boreal-Arctic Transition Zone program.
American Golden-Plover nest in dwarf shrub mat habitat. This photo was taken on the Seward Peninsula as part of the Changing Arctic Ecosystem Boreal-Arctic Transition Zone program.
Male Arctic Warbler singing on the Seward Peninsula, Alaska. This photo was taken on the Seward Peninsula as part of the Changing Arctic Ecosystem Boreal-Arctic Transition Zone program.
Male Arctic Warbler singing on the Seward Peninsula, Alaska. This photo was taken on the Seward Peninsula as part of the Changing Arctic Ecosystem Boreal-Arctic Transition Zone program.
American Tree Sparrow in low to medium shrub thicket habitat. This photo was taken on the Seward Peninsula as part of the Changing Arctic Ecosystem Boreal-Arctic Transition Zone program.
American Tree Sparrow in low to medium shrub thicket habitat. This photo was taken on the Seward Peninsula as part of the Changing Arctic Ecosystem Boreal-Arctic Transition Zone program.
Savannah Sparrow sitting on a hummock in dwarf shrub meadow habitat. This photo was taken on the Seward Peninsula as part of the Changing Arctic Ecosystem Boreal-Arctic Transition Zone program.
Savannah Sparrow sitting on a hummock in dwarf shrub meadow habitat. This photo was taken on the Seward Peninsula as part of the Changing Arctic Ecosystem Boreal-Arctic Transition Zone program.
Savannah Sparrow on a hummock in dwarf shrub meadow habitat. This photo was taken on the Seward Peninsula as part of the Changing Arctic Ecosystem Boreal-Arctic Transition Zone program.
Savannah Sparrow on a hummock in dwarf shrub meadow habitat. This photo was taken on the Seward Peninsula as part of the Changing Arctic Ecosystem Boreal-Arctic Transition Zone program.
Juvenile Northern Shrike. This photo was taken on the Seward Peninsula as part of the Changing Arctic Ecosystem Boreal-Arctic Transition Zone program.
Juvenile Northern Shrike. This photo was taken on the Seward Peninsula as part of the Changing Arctic Ecosystem Boreal-Arctic Transition Zone program.
An acoustic recording device on the tundra of the Seward Peninsula, Alaska
An acoustic recording device on the tundra of the Seward Peninsula, Alaska
USGS biologist Skyler Vold conducts a bird survey on Alaska’s Seward Peninsula
USGS biologist Skyler Vold conducts a bird survey on Alaska’s Seward Peninsula
Savannah Sparrow nest with egg. This photo was taken on the Seward Peninsula as part of the Changing Arctic Ecosystem Boreal-Arctic Transition Zone program.
Savannah Sparrow nest with egg. This photo was taken on the Seward Peninsula as part of the Changing Arctic Ecosystem Boreal-Arctic Transition Zone program.
Two Common Redpolls sitting in a snow covered spruce tree in Anchorage, Alaska
Two Common Redpolls sitting in a snow covered spruce tree in Anchorage, Alaska
A young Northern Shrike captured at a banding station on the Seward Peninsula. This photo was taken as part Phase 1 of the Changing Arctic Ecosystem Boreal-Arctic Transition Zone program.
A young Northern Shrike captured at a banding station on the Seward Peninsula. This photo was taken as part Phase 1 of the Changing Arctic Ecosystem Boreal-Arctic Transition Zone program.
Below are publications associated with this project.
Alaska landbird montoring survey: Alaska regional protocol framework for monitoring landbirds using point counts
Combined analysis of roadside and off-road breeding bird survey data to assess population change in Alaska
Below are news stories associated with this project.
Alaska provides breeding habitat for more than 140 regularly occurring species of landbirds, half of which breed predominantly north of the U.S.–Canada border. The road-based North American Breeding Bird Survey (BBS) provides some data on population trends in Alaska, but most northern species are inadequately monitored by that continental program because of a paucity of roads.
Boreal Partners in Flight developed the Alaska Landbird Monitoring Survey (ALMS) to monitor breeding populations of landbirds in the vast off-road areas of Alaska and to complement data collected from the roadside BBS.
The primary objective of ALMS is to monitor population trends of northern populations of landbirds using replicated point-count surveys in off-road areas to complement data collected by the roadside BBS.
Equally important, however, are similar surveys conducted for inventories or other purposes, which can be incorporated into analyses of distribution, habitat use, and population size (Figure 1 below). Most ALMS samples consist of a mini-grid of 12–25 points arrayed within a randomly shifted 10 km × 10 km grid across continental Alaska.
- Surveys for population trends are conducted biennially, with half of the samples surveyed in alternating years.
- Samples are stratified by accessibility and cost, and the initial stratum includes areas accessible by foot, vehicle, boat, or fixed-winged aircraft.
- The initial allocation of samples is concentrated in the Northern Pacific Rainforest and Northwestern Interior Rainforest Bird Conservation Regions, where landbird populations are most diverse and abundant.
- Additional samples have been allocated to Arctic and Western Alaska, and surveys in the remote Aleutian and Bering Sea islands are conducted by Alaska Maritime National Wildlife Refuge biologists as logistics allow.
The updated (Handel et al. 2021) ALMS protocol specifies 10-minute point counts replicated once per breeding season, with bird detections recorded in time and distance intervals so that detection probability can be estimated.
- Associated data on habitat are collected the first summer point counts are conducted; thereafter, habitat surveys are repeated every 10 years or whenever a major disturbance has occurred.
- Long-term monitoring will enable analysis of change in bird populations in relation to fire, disease and insect damage, resource development, climate-related change, and other landscape-level disturbances.
ALMS has received broad backing from nine state, federal, and non-governmental agencies, which signed a Memorandum of Understanding in 2005 supporting the program.
To find out more about how to participate in ALMS or add sampling sites, please see the additional information included on this site or contact the Program Coordinator.
Map with survey locations related to Bird Conservation Regions in AK
Figure 1. Locations of blocks and routes surveyed as part of the Alaska Landbird Monitoring Survey (ALMS), North American Breeding Bird Survey (BBS), and the Alaska Maritime National Wildlife Refuge (AMNWR) monitoring program in relation to Bird Conservation Regions (US NABCI 2000) within Alaska.
- Solid markers are blocks and routes regularly surveyed for long-term bird population trends.
- Open markers show blocks and routes that have been surveyed irregularly or dropped (Other, Inactive).
Click on map for larger image
Additional information on ALMS
- Alaska Landbird Monitoring Survey: Alaska Regional Protocol Framework for Monitoring Landbirds Using Point Counts (PDF 3414 KB)
- Revised protocol (Handel et al. 2021) for ALMS program on National Wildlife Refuges and other public lands.
- Revised protocol (Handel et al. 2021) for ALMS program on National Wildlife Refuges and other public lands.
- ALMS forms and reference materials (October 19, 2020; species' codes updated June 1, 2022)
- Data forms and reference sheets for collecting ALMS data in the field.
- Packing list of equipment and supplies needed when conducting ALMS surveys.
- A fillable form for completing a safety plan before heading to the field to conduct ALMS surveys.
- Supporting agencies—A memorandum of understanding supporting ALMS was signed in 2005 by nine federal, state, and non-governmental agencies.
- Original (2004) protocol for setting up and conducting surveys (PDF 828.26 KB)
- Original instructions (Handel and Cady 2004) for conducting ALMS surveys. See Handel et al. (2021) above for revised protocol.
- Original instructions (Handel and Cady 2004) for conducting ALMS surveys. See Handel et al. (2021) above for revised protocol.
Program coordinator
Steven M Matsuoka
Alaska Science Center
U.S. Geological Survey
Anchorage, AK 99508
smatsuoka@usgs.gov
907-786-7075
Below are other science projects associated with this project.
Boreal Partners in Flight
Conservation of Landbirds in Alaska
Monitoring and Research Boreal Partners in Flight Projects
About Boreal Partners in Flight
Alaska Raptor Group
Meeting and Project Summaries for Boreal Partners in Flight
Resources and Links for Boreal Partners in Flight
There is enormous value in learning about our natural world. Educational resources help us with this endeavor and help us teach others about landbirds. Note: This list is for your convenience. We are not advertising or endorsing any product or entity listed.
Landbird Research in Alaska
Bird Conservation Areas
Festivals Celebrating Birds in Alaska
Beak Deformities in Landbirds
Alaska Landbird Monitoring Survey Dataset
Below are multimedia items associated with this project.
Female McKay's Bunting on St. Matthew Island.
Female McKay's Bunting on St. Matthew Island.
Male McKay's Bunting on St. Matthew Island
Male McKay's Bunting on St. Matthew Island
Male Wilson's Warbler on the Seward Peninsula, Alaska . This photo was taken on the Seward Peninsula as part of the Changing Arctic Ecosystem Boreal-Arctic Transition Zone program.
Male Wilson's Warbler on the Seward Peninsula, Alaska . This photo was taken on the Seward Peninsula as part of the Changing Arctic Ecosystem Boreal-Arctic Transition Zone program.
Male Wilson's Warbler. This photo was taken on the Seward Peninsula as part of the Changing Arctic Ecosystem Boreal-Arctic Transition Zone program.
Male Wilson's Warbler. This photo was taken on the Seward Peninsula as part of the Changing Arctic Ecosystem Boreal-Arctic Transition Zone program.
Lone male Yellow Warbler on the Seward Peninsula, Alaska. This photo was taken on the Seward Peninsula as part of the Changing Arctic Ecosystem Boreal-Arctic Transition Zone program.
Lone male Yellow Warbler on the Seward Peninsula, Alaska. This photo was taken on the Seward Peninsula as part of the Changing Arctic Ecosystem Boreal-Arctic Transition Zone program.
Male Lapland Longspur in dwarf shrub mat habitat. This photo was taken on the Seward Peninsula as part of the Changing Arctic Ecosystem Boreal-Arctic Transition Zone program.
Male Lapland Longspur in dwarf shrub mat habitat. This photo was taken on the Seward Peninsula as part of the Changing Arctic Ecosystem Boreal-Arctic Transition Zone program.
Short-eared Owl. This photo was taken on the Seward Peninsula as part of the Changing Arctic Ecosystem Boreal-Arctic Transition Zone program.
Short-eared Owl. This photo was taken on the Seward Peninsula as part of the Changing Arctic Ecosystem Boreal-Arctic Transition Zone program.
A closeup of a male Willow Ptarmigan.
Yellow Warbler nest in a tall shrub thicket habitat. This photo was taken on the Seward Peninsula as part of the Changing Arctic Ecosystem Boreal-Arctic Transition Zone program.
Yellow Warbler nest in a tall shrub thicket habitat. This photo was taken on the Seward Peninsula as part of the Changing Arctic Ecosystem Boreal-Arctic Transition Zone program.
Male Arctic Warbler on the Seward Peninsula, Alaska. This photo was taken on the Seward Peninsula as part of the Changing Arctic Ecosystem Boreal-Arctic Transition Zone program.
Male Arctic Warbler on the Seward Peninsula, Alaska. This photo was taken on the Seward Peninsula as part of the Changing Arctic Ecosystem Boreal-Arctic Transition Zone program.
American Golden-Plover nest in dwarf shrub mat habitat. This photo was taken on the Seward Peninsula as part of the Changing Arctic Ecosystem Boreal-Arctic Transition Zone program.
American Golden-Plover nest in dwarf shrub mat habitat. This photo was taken on the Seward Peninsula as part of the Changing Arctic Ecosystem Boreal-Arctic Transition Zone program.
Male Arctic Warbler singing on the Seward Peninsula, Alaska. This photo was taken on the Seward Peninsula as part of the Changing Arctic Ecosystem Boreal-Arctic Transition Zone program.
Male Arctic Warbler singing on the Seward Peninsula, Alaska. This photo was taken on the Seward Peninsula as part of the Changing Arctic Ecosystem Boreal-Arctic Transition Zone program.
American Tree Sparrow in low to medium shrub thicket habitat. This photo was taken on the Seward Peninsula as part of the Changing Arctic Ecosystem Boreal-Arctic Transition Zone program.
American Tree Sparrow in low to medium shrub thicket habitat. This photo was taken on the Seward Peninsula as part of the Changing Arctic Ecosystem Boreal-Arctic Transition Zone program.
Savannah Sparrow sitting on a hummock in dwarf shrub meadow habitat. This photo was taken on the Seward Peninsula as part of the Changing Arctic Ecosystem Boreal-Arctic Transition Zone program.
Savannah Sparrow sitting on a hummock in dwarf shrub meadow habitat. This photo was taken on the Seward Peninsula as part of the Changing Arctic Ecosystem Boreal-Arctic Transition Zone program.
Savannah Sparrow on a hummock in dwarf shrub meadow habitat. This photo was taken on the Seward Peninsula as part of the Changing Arctic Ecosystem Boreal-Arctic Transition Zone program.
Savannah Sparrow on a hummock in dwarf shrub meadow habitat. This photo was taken on the Seward Peninsula as part of the Changing Arctic Ecosystem Boreal-Arctic Transition Zone program.
Juvenile Northern Shrike. This photo was taken on the Seward Peninsula as part of the Changing Arctic Ecosystem Boreal-Arctic Transition Zone program.
Juvenile Northern Shrike. This photo was taken on the Seward Peninsula as part of the Changing Arctic Ecosystem Boreal-Arctic Transition Zone program.
An acoustic recording device on the tundra of the Seward Peninsula, Alaska
An acoustic recording device on the tundra of the Seward Peninsula, Alaska
USGS biologist Skyler Vold conducts a bird survey on Alaska’s Seward Peninsula
USGS biologist Skyler Vold conducts a bird survey on Alaska’s Seward Peninsula
Savannah Sparrow nest with egg. This photo was taken on the Seward Peninsula as part of the Changing Arctic Ecosystem Boreal-Arctic Transition Zone program.
Savannah Sparrow nest with egg. This photo was taken on the Seward Peninsula as part of the Changing Arctic Ecosystem Boreal-Arctic Transition Zone program.
Two Common Redpolls sitting in a snow covered spruce tree in Anchorage, Alaska
Two Common Redpolls sitting in a snow covered spruce tree in Anchorage, Alaska
A young Northern Shrike captured at a banding station on the Seward Peninsula. This photo was taken as part Phase 1 of the Changing Arctic Ecosystem Boreal-Arctic Transition Zone program.
A young Northern Shrike captured at a banding station on the Seward Peninsula. This photo was taken as part Phase 1 of the Changing Arctic Ecosystem Boreal-Arctic Transition Zone program.
Below are publications associated with this project.
Alaska landbird montoring survey: Alaska regional protocol framework for monitoring landbirds using point counts
Combined analysis of roadside and off-road breeding bird survey data to assess population change in Alaska
Below are news stories associated with this project.