Breeding Landbird Abundance and Diversity Breeding landbird sampling provides robust estimates of species diversity, abundance, and density. Point counts of breeding landbirds takes place during the active breeding season for resident birds and occurs in Bird Plots (n = 12) located in areas representative of overall vegetation cover representative of SRER. Nine observation points are located at each. Each point count lasts for six minutes plus an additional two minute settling-in period. Sampling occurs in the early morning when birds are most active and ambient noise is at a minimum. Technicians record the species, sex, and distance from point for every landbird seen or heard during the six minutes.