Why is it important to monitor bird sites?
To protect a bird site effectively, it is important to monitor it on a regular basis, including detection of threats, as well as evaluation of population sizes and the status of their habitats. Monitoring sites is crucial because it allows early detection of factors that threaten their species and habitats, and provides us with knowledge on whether conservation measures undertaken in a site reach their goals. Site monitoring also allows to prioritise protection measures through indication as to which components of a site are the most threatened. In addition, as a majority of the populations of endangered species is concentrated in IBAs, monitoring these sites enables us to track changes in the numbers of “special concern” species. In Poland, these include, for instance, the Ferruginous Duck, the Greater Spotted Eagle, the Roller or the Aquatic Warbler; the populations of these species are concentrated in IBAs and these species are also vulnerable to extinction.
Importantly, monitoring data acquired by IBA guardians are entered into the World Bird Database and hence can be used in analyses at the international level of the whole continent or the whole world.