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Michael Lutmerding

Mikey is a Biologist for the North American Breeding Bird Survey (BBS) at the USGS Eastern Ecological Science Center.

He works to strengthen the multi-national, volunteer based BBS using geospatial tools to maintain the survey's sampling network, interacting with thousands of highly-skilled citizen scientists for training and issue reconciliation, working with a team of computer programmers and designers to create innovative and efficient web tools, and spearheading projects that expand the BBS's current capabilities and ensure its historical continuity.  A naturalist at heart and by training, Mikey has acrued experience sampling diverse taxa, including invertebrates, fish, birds, mammals, reptiles, and amphibians through numerous previously held positions with state and federal agencies.  Despite his broad command of field and lab techniques, he is best known for his acumen with birds and he is recognized as a technical expert for his skills in the field.  With his time in the field, Mikey has developed a keen interest in photographing birds and and he regularly donates his photographs for use in federal, state, and non-governmental publications. 

Professional Experience

  • November 2014-Present - U.S. Geological Survey, Eastern Ecological Science Center, Biologist, North American Breeding Bird Survey

  • January 2010-November 2014 - USGS Patuxent Wildlife Research Center, North American Breeding Bird Survey (IAP contractor) 

Education and Certifications

  • BS in Interpretive Biology & Natural History, Minor in Forestry from Frostburg State University

Science and Products

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Golden-cheeked Warbler

North American Breeding Bird Survey

The North American Breeding Bird Survey (BBS) is the primary source for critical quantitative data to evaluate the status of continental bird species, keeping common birds common and helping fuel a $75 billion wildlife watching industry. Each year thousands of citizen scientists skilled in avian identification collect data on BBS routes throughout North America allowing us to better understand...
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Ecosystems Mission Area, Species Management Research Program, Eastern Ecological Science Center
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North American Breeding Bird Survey

The North American Breeding Bird Survey (BBS) is the primary source for critical quantitative data to evaluate the status of continental bird species, keeping common birds common and helping fuel a $75 billion wildlife watching industry. Each year thousands of citizen scientists skilled in avian identification collect data on BBS routes throughout North America allowing us to better understand...
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The North American Breeding Bird Survey, Analysis Results 1966 - 2022

This data product consists of a database of population change and abundance estimates for North American birds, estimated from North American Breeding Bird Survey (BBS) data. Data are presented for 548 species of birds in 4 spreadsheets containing trend estimates and annual indices for 2 time periods. Estimates are derived for each species using the 1 of 4 alternative models, and a cross-validatio
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Eastern Ecological Science Center

2023 Release - North American Breeding Bird Survey Dataset (1966 - 2022)

The 1966-2022 North American Breeding Bird Survey (BBS) dataset contains avian point count data for more than 700 North American bird taxa (species, races, and unidentified species groupings). These data are collected annually during the breeding season, primarily in June, along thousands of randomly established roadside survey routes in the United States and Canada. Routes are roughly 24.5 miles
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Eastern Ecological Science Center

2022 Release - North American Breeding Bird Survey Dataset (1966-2021)

The 1966-2021 North American Breeding Bird Survey (BBS) dataset contains avian point count data for more than 700 North American bird taxa (species, races, and unidentified species groupings). These data are collected annually during the breeding season, primarily in June, along thousands of randomly established roadside survey routes in the United States and Canada. Routes are roughly 24.5 miles
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Eastern Ecological Science Center

North American Breeding Bird Survey Dataset 1966 - 2019, version 2019.0

The 1966-2018 North American Breeding Bird Survey (BBS) dataset contains avian point count data for more than 700 North American bird taxa (species, races, and unidentified species groupings). These data are collected annually during the breeding season, primarily in June, along thousands of randomly established roadside survey routes in the United States and Canada. Routes are roughly 24.5 miles
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Species Management Research Program, Eastern Ecological Science Center

North American Breeding Bird Survey Dataset 1966 - 2018, version 2018.0

The 1966-2018 North American Breeding Bird Survey dataset contains avian point count data for more than 700 North American bird taxa (primarily species, but also some races and unidentified species groupings). These data are collected annually during the breeding season, primarily June and May, along thousands of randomly established roadside survey routes in the United States and Canada. Routes
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Species Management Research Program, Eastern Ecological Science Center

North American Breeding Bird Survey Dataset 1966 - 2017, version 2017.0

The 1966-2017 North American Breeding Bird Survey dataset contains avian point count data for more than 700 North American bird taxa (primarily species, but also some races and unidentified species groupings). These data are collected annually during the breeding season, primarily June and May, along thousands of randomly established roadside survey routes in the United States and Canada. Routes
By
Eastern Ecological Science Center

North American Breeding Bird Survey Dataset 1966 - 2016, version 2016.0

The 1966-2016 North American Breeding Bird Survey dataset contains avian point count data for more than 700 North American bird taxa (primarily species, but also some races and unidentified species groupings). These data are collected annually during the breeding season, primarily June and May, along thousands of randomly established roadside survey routes in the United States and Canada. Routes
By
Species Management Research Program, Eastern Ecological Science Center
Filter Total Items: 25
Two Wild Turkeys in tall grass near a wetland
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Wild Turkey
Migrating hawks form a flock on their way south to wintering grounds
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Broad-winged Hawk migration
A juvenile Yellow-breasted Chat looking out from within a dense green shrub
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Yellow-breasted Chat, juvenile
A Yellow-breasted Chat perched on a tree limb above a shrub that contains a nest
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Yellow-breasted Chat, adult
A colorful sunrise over farm fields seen along the Emmitsburg BBS route.
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Emmitsburg_BBS_Sunrise_2022
A colorful sunrise over hay fields in western Maryland viewed along the Jennings BBS route
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Jennings BBS Sunrise 2022
A Savannah Sparrow at the Patuxent Research Refuge
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A Savannah Sparrow at the Patuxent Research Refuge
A Northern Harrier at the Patuxent Research Refuge
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Northern Harrier
A Lincoln's Sparrow wintering at the Patuxent Research Refuge
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Lincoln's Sparrow
A Black-throated Blue Warbler at a stopover site along the Patuxent River
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Black-throated Blue Warbler
Atlantic Menhaden feeding in the Chesapeake Bay
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Atlantic Menhaden
Trumpeter Swans at Knowles Marsh on the Patuxent Research Refuge
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Trumpeter Swans
A Red-tailed Hawk pursued by Common Grackles and an Eastern Kingbird along the Williamsport Breeding Bird Survey route
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Red-tailed Hawk
Blue-winged teal at Uhler Marsh on the Patuxent Research Refuge
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Blue-winged Teal
A Fox Sparrow wintering at the Patuxent Research Refuge
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Fox Sparrow
A Yellow-bellied Sapsucker on a cold winter day
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Yellow-bellied Sapsucker
Bald Eagles flying over the Patuxent River
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Bald Eagles over the Patuxent
A male White-tailed Deer at the Patuxent Research Refuge
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White-tailed Deer
Three wild Sandhill Cranes at the Patuxent Research Refuge
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Sandhill Cranes
Common Five-lined Skinks with ticks attached
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Common Five-lined Skinks
Common Five-lined Skinks with ticks attached.
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Common Five-lined Skinks

Science and Products