What happens once a site is designated as an IBA?
Once a site is officially identified as an IBA, volunteer monitoring efforts are often initiated. This monitoring focuses primarily on the breeding/nesting season tracking the numbers and variety of birds breeding in that particular habitat. In some cases monitoring occurs during other times of the year important for migratory or over-wintering populations of waterfowl, raptors and shore birds. Monitoring also extends to the land itself, focusing attention on the main threats to Pennsylvanias IBA habitats. Potential threats include: habitat fragmentation, suburban/urban sprawl, and overbrowsing by deer.
