PRBO Point Count Data Entry Protocol
Ballard and Geupel, 1994
Last revision: 6/2006
Each individual encountered during a point count has its own record (corresponding to
rows in the table) in the file. Each record is comprised of nine fields (corresponding to
columns in the table). The nine fields are:
1. SPEC
2. DATA
3. State
4. Region
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
Station
Date
Initials
Site
Time
The four letter AOU abbreviation for species name. SOSP = Song
Sparrow. Enter “9999” for no detections.
A five character code for type, distance, and timing of detection. The first
character corresponds to the behavior of the bird that caused it to be
detected, "S" for singing, "C" for calling, "V" for visual. You may also use
“J” for juvenile, “D” for drumming woodpecker, and “H” for humming
(hummingbird). The second through fourth characters correspond to
distance of detection from point count location. In general, "L50" for
within 50 meters, "G50" for greater than 50 meters, "FLO" for flying over.
Use “B00” for > 100m. The final character represents the timing of the
detection, and could be used to identify the duration of each count. "3" for
three minutes, "5" for five minutes, etc. Example: "CL505" would
correspond to an individual detected calling within 50 meters during a
five-minute point count. Enter “99999” for no detections.
For variable circular plot (VCP) data, “L” still signifies < 50, G >50.
However, the upper end of the distance band is used rather than “50”. For
detections > 100 m, use “B”. See examples at end.
Two letter abbreviation for the State in which the census occurred.
Generally the county in which the census occurred though could be used
for more descriptive location information, if applicable. Nine characters.
Six character study area identifier.
Date of count.
Three characters for initials of observer.
Two digits for individual point count site number.
Four numbers for beginning time (in 24 hour format with no colon) of
census for each site.
Each record contains all of this information. Though it may seem redundant, it is
important for keeping track of data and for ease of analysis using each individual as a
separate statistical observation. Entry of repetitive data can be facilitated by using the
"Set Carry On" function in dBase or Foxpro, or by using the data entry program at
www.prbo.org/tools/pc/pc.htm.
Fixed radius data example:
In the following example, three Steller's Jays, a Red-shafted Flicker, and a Wrentit are
observed at point #13. Three of the individuals are within 50 meters (Two of the Jays and
the Flicker).
SPEC DATA
STATE
REGION
STATION
DATE
INITIALS SITE
STJA
STJA
STJA
RSFL
WREN
CA
CA
CA
CA
CA
MARIN
MARIN
MARIN
MARIN
MARIN
PALO
PALO
PALO
PALO
PALO
07/14/1993
07/14/1993
07/14/1993
07/14/1993
07/14/1993
GB
GB
GB
GB
GB
CL505
VL505
CG505
CL505
SG505
13
13
13
13
13
TIME
758
758
758
758
758
VCP data example:
In the following example, three Steller's Jays, a Red-shafted Flicker, and a Wrentit are
observed at point #13. The first Jay is between 50 and 60 meters (assuming 10m bands).
The second jay is between 20-30m. The third Jay is 60 –70m out, the Flicker is between
10 – 20 m, and the Wrentit is > 100m. The file structure can include a “bandwidth”
column to document bandwidths, especially if not obvious from the data themselves.
SPEC DATA
STATE
REGION
STATION
DATE
INITIALS SITE
STJA
STJA
STJA
RSFL
WREN
CA
CA
CA
CA
CA
MARIN
MARIN
MARIN
MARIN
MARIN
PALO
PALO
PALO
PALO
PALO
07/14/1993
07/14/1993
07/14/1993
07/14/1993
07/14/1993
GB
GB
GB
GB
GB
CG605
VL305
CG705
CL205
SB005
13
13
13
13
13
TIME
758
758
758
758
758