What is a Breeding Bird Atlas?
A Breeding Bird Atlas (BBA) is a survey designed to document the status and distribution of all breeding species of birds that occur within a given area. Most breeding bird atlases are statewide and the basic survey unit is based on USGS 7.5- minute topographic maps. Typically each topographic map is divided into 6 equally sized blocks roughly 10 square miles each and one of these blocks is designated as the priority survey block. Generally BBA’s are conducted by volunteer surveyors who document the breeding status of all species encountered. Surveyors register for atlas blocks and agree to provide adequate survey coverage either in the form of hours spent atlasing or number of species encountered – or both. Surveying a block involves documenting all bird species encountered. Their breeding status is recorded based on a series of codes which categorizes them as possible, probable or confirmed.
