WHAT IS A BREEDING BIRD ATLAS PROJECT?
A breeding bird atlas project is a survey to record the current status and distribution of each breeding bird species. Typically atlas projects cover large areas such as counties, states, or provinces. During atlas fieldwork, nesting observations, habitat associations, relative abundances, and other natural history information are recorded. Information is collected over four to eight years and provides a “snapshot” of breeding bird ranges against which to judge future changes. The final product is typically a hardbound book available to the public with maps and natural history information for each species. Information from the atlas fieldwork is also organized into a computer database as a reference for land managers and biologists who are interested in proposed land-use changes.
