that the survey does not produce a complete counting of the breeding bird populations but more like a relative abundance index. Even so, these surveys have proved to be of great value in studying bird population trends. BBS data can also be used to produce continental-scale relative abundance maps. When analyzed at larger scales, the relative abundance maps can offer a clear indication of the status and distribution of bird species that are observed by the BBS. However, the most effective use of these surveys is the opportunity to analyze population trends, though information on the factors that cause these changes cannot be determined. The BTO/JNCC/RSPB Breeding Bird Survey (BBS) is a national project aimed at keeping track of changes in the breeding populations of widespread bird species in the UK. The program started in 1992, and has been successfully used by Governments and different non-Governmental organizations for bird conservation purposes since 1994. The RSPB BBS coordinates over 3200 active routes, with more than 3000 birders involved in monitoring the population trends of more than 100 bird species. See also Australian Bird Count (ABC) BioBlitz ("24-hour inventory") Pilling's Pond Breeding in the wild Christmas Bird Count (CBC) (in the Western Hemisphere) Seabird Colony Register (SCR) The EBCC Atlas of European Breeding Birds Tucson Bird Count (TBC) (in Arizona in the US) the World Series of Birding in New Jersey (a 24-hour state inventory teams race) References External links North American Breeding Bird Survey UK Breeding Bird Survey British Columbia Breeding Bird Atlas Ontario Breeding Bird Atlas Bird censuses Ornithological citizen science Citizen science