Specialized surveys were used to collect data at (a) inland lakes and ponds, (b) shoreline points on the coast, major rivers, or large lakes, and (c) nocturnal and high tide roosts – all settings where birds might congregate in large groups and where species might be missed without special attention. Observers were told that when block boundaries bisected the site being surveyed it was not necessary to assign each bird to a given block, since the ways in which birds use these sites, and the focus of most uses of the data, would be based on the location and habitat rather than block designations.

Below, we present the instructions given to volunteers. We are no longer collecting data for the atlas project, but we encourage birders to use these methods for regular data collection and submission through eBird.

Inland waterbodies

Waterbirds can be hard to obtain good winter information about because they move around a lot and because surveying waterbodies often requires a different approach to other habitats. Consequently, we asked volunteers to conduct supplemental surveys of lakes and ponds, with a goal of counting all waterbirds using the waterbody. Volunteers were given the following instructions:

• Pick a lake or pond in your block and identify a point that will allow you to see as much of the site as possible.
• For larger lakes, it is okay to move between multiple survey points to ensure that you can see all parts of the lake. If you do move, however, be careful to pay attention to where birds are, so that they do not get double-counted if seen from different locations. For the state’s largest lakes, attempting to get complete surveys may be impractical, in which case, use the methods described for shoreline surveys of the coast and major rivers.
• Record the latitude and longitude of the center of the waterbody (note that this may not be exactly where you observe the birds from) and give the waterbody a name.
• Visit as frequently as you are able (ideally at least every two weeks, but even a couple of visits are valuable) and count all waterbirds and birds of prey using the site. Frequent surveys will allow us to understand how use of these habitats changes over the course of the winter.
• There is no fixed period of time for these surveys – simply spend whatever time it takes to count all birds on the waterbody. For many of the state’s ponds and small lakes, that might take just a few minutes, but be sure to record the start and end time of each survey.
• Counts should include all geese, swans, ducks, grebes, coots, shorebirds, gulls, loons, cormorants, herons, and kingfishers.
• Because birds of prey are sometimes drawn to waterbodies to hunt, we ask that you also record any osprey, eagles, hawks, harriers, falcons, or owls seen during your survey. Reporting other species is optional.
• If there is ice cover, record your best estimate of the proportion of the waterbody that is frozen.
• Data can be submitted as an eBird checklist using the center of the waterbody as the location point. Alternatively, data can be submitted on the form here, providing the latitude and longitude for the center of the waterbody.

Shoreline points

Not all waterbirds spend time on lakes and ponds and as the winter proceeds many will shift to the coast or to moving water. To document these movements and quantify the distribution of coastal species, we devised a modified version of the inland waterbodies survey that was better suited to long continuous stretches of water, such as the coast, larger rivers (e.g. Connecticut, Housatonic, Thames, etc.), and lakes that are difficult to survey entirely (e.g., Candlewood Lake, Barkhamstead Reservoir). Volunteers were given the following instructions:

• Pick a point where you can scan Long Island Sound or a section of a major river or lake. If you have a coastal block, or one that lies on one of the state’s big rivers, then pick at least one site in your block. If you do not have one of these blocks, then feel free to pick a good site in another block, especially if it is a site where few people go birding.
• Record the latitude and longitude of the point you observe from and give the location a name.
• Visit as frequently as you are able (ideally at least once every two weeks, but even a couple of visits are valuable) and count all waterbirds and birds of prey visible from the observation point. Frequent surveys will allow us to understand how use of these habitats changes over the course of the winter.
• There is no fixed period of time for these surveys – simply spend whatever time it takes to count all birds visible from the point you have chosen. For many sites, that might just be a few minutes, but be sure to record the start and end time of each survey.
• Although it is useful to report birds flying by, the priority is to document birds using the water at the survey site, so prolonged sea-watches are not necessary.
• Counts should include all geese, swans, ducks, grebes, coots, shorebirds, alcids, gulls, terns, loons, gannets, cormorants, herons, kingfishers, and any rarer seabirds.
• Because birds of prey often concentrate along the coast, we ask that you also record any osprey, eagles, hawks, harriers, falcons, or owls seen during your survey. Reporting other species is optional.
• If there is ice cover, record the proportion of visible water that is frozen.
• Data can be submitted as an eBird checklist using the point from which observations were made as the location. Alternatively, data can be submitted on the form here, providing the latitude and longitude for the observation point.

Communal roosts

Communal roost sites concentrate birds in one spot, presenting good opportunities to count birds.  Usually, such roosts occur at night and require counts as dusk approaches, but coastal waterbirds (e.g., shorebirds) often roost during high tide instead. Suitable roost sites are also often limited, and may be especially important places to protect. Consequently, we asked volunteers to identify known sites, and to submit regular reports on the number of birds using them. We also asked them to keep an eye out for birds travelling consistently in one direction at dusk or dawn, which can help to locate roost sites. In particular, we asked people to focus on geese, ducks, shorebirds, gulls, vultures, crows, robins, starlings, and blackbirds, but we pointed out that some small songbirds (e.g., house sparrows, finches, kinglets, creepers) sometimes congregate at night to roost. To survey roosts, volunteers were given the following instructions:

• Pick a location where you know birds gather to roost (roost sites do not have to be in your block).
• Record the latitude and longitude of the roost site (note that this may not be exactly where you observe the birds from) and give the site a name.
• On each visit, try to arrive before birds start to enter the roost and stay until it is completely dark, so that you do not miss birds. For tidal roosts, arrive before the tide peaks and stay until high tide.
• Visit as frequently as you are able (ideally at least once every two weeks, but even a couple of visits are valuable) and count birds as they come in to roost.
• Also record any other unusual species seen in the area, especially birds of prey, which are often attracted to roosts to hunt.
• Data can be submitted as a stationary eBird checklist using the roost site as the location point. Alternatively, data can be submitted on the paper form here, providing the latitude and longitude for the center of the roost site.