BIRDS
Year 4 of 5 for the NC Bird Atlas! by John Carpenter, Eastern Landbird Biologist and Scott Anderson, Science Support Coordinator
data and assist atlasers during the 2024 breeding season. We are closely monitoring the status of all 937 blocks using the Block Explorer (https:// blockexplorer.ncbirdatlas.org) ; see also Wildlife Diversity Program Fourth Quarter Report , p. 7). Once all the data have been col- lected, we will continue a rigorous process to validate records and develop range maps for each bird species. These data will be crucial to monitor- ing changes in bird populations and distributions into the future.
MELISSA MCGAW/NCWRC
Bachman’s Sparrow carrying food (CF), one of the many behaviors that can confirm breed- ing in a location. W ildlife Diversity staff continue work on the 5-year Bird Atlas
In addition to volunteers, each year we hire skilled staff to canvass hard- to-reach corners of the state. These data will be critical to gaining a com- prehensive map of distribution and habitat preferences for ~200 bird spe- cies at the end of the project. Because North Carolina is posi- tioned squarely in the mid-Atlantic region, many bird species only occur here in winter. Departing from most other Atlases, volunteers and staff col- lect observations during both the breeding and wintering seasons. In just the past winter (Nov-Feb), atla- sers, staff, and other birders recorded 1,169,772 species observations. In the coming months, we’ll wel- come more temporary staff to collect
Project. From Hiwassee to Hatteras, volunteers (atlasers) and staff have been scouring fields, forests, and city parks - identifying birds and record- ing behaviors. Observations of behav- iors help confirm breeding in each of the 937 survey blocks spread across the state. Our goal is to adequately survey each of these blocks by the end of the project. To date, atlasers have contributed 197,739 checklists, confirming breeding for 203 species spread over 820 blocks. Collectively, these 2,584 atlasers and other birders have made a staggering 11,276,863 species observations since the project started in 2021!
STAY UP TO DATE! If you want to stay up to date on the progress of this project, visit ncbirdatlas.org or subscribe to our monthly newsletter at news.ncbirdatlas.org
9 2024 Wildlife Diversity Program Annual Report
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