Great Basin Bird Observatory facts for kids

The Great Basin Bird Observatory is a special group in Reno, Nevada. It's a non-profit organization, which means it works to help birds and their homes without trying to make money for owners. This group started in 1997. Its main goal is to protect birds and the places they live in Nevada and nearby areas. They do this by working with other groups, studying birds, and teaching people about them.

What They Do

The Great Basin Bird Observatory began as a science group focused on protecting nature. Their very first big project was creating the first complete Nevada Breeding Bird Atlas. An "atlas" like this is a detailed map and guide showing where different bird species build their nests and raise their young. Scientists worked on this project from 1997 to 2000. The information they gathered was published in a book in 2007.

Bird Monitoring and Research

Since 2002, the Great Basin Bird Observatory has focused on watching and studying birds. They also work on projects to help protect them.

• Nevada Bird Count: This program helps keep track of all the land birds in Nevada. It brings together different ways of counting birds.
• Conservation Projects: They work on many projects to plan for bird protection and see if their efforts are working.
  • They watch birds along the Lower Colorado River. This is part of a bigger plan to protect many different species there.
  • They help plan how to protect birds in the Walker River Basin.
  • They also keep a long-term eye on the Lower Truckee River. This includes areas where they have helped restore the natural riverside habitats.
  • They do smaller studies and planning in important places like National Wildlife Refuges.

Studying Bird Movements

The observatory also does special research projects. They use tiny tracking devices, called telemetry, to follow birds like the elf owl, pinyon jay, and greater sage-grouse. This helps them learn where these birds go. They also create maps and models to understand where many different birds live. They study how many birds are in certain areas and what kinds of homes they use. This research covers birds in the Intermountain West and the Southwest.

Working with Others

The Great Basin Bird Observatory also works with groups across the country. They are part of big efforts like the Partners in Flight initiative. This initiative helps protect birds all over North America. They also work with the Avian Knowledge Alliance and other regional groups focused on wildlife science.

For example, in 2010, they finished the Nevada Comprehensive Bird Conservation Plan. This plan helps guide bird protection efforts in Nevada. Also in 2010, the observatory teamed up with the Nevada Department of Wildlife and other organizations. Together, they worked to create a wildlife plan for the entire state.