Minnesota Breeding Bird Atlas

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Season One
Starting in April, volunteers began surveying habitat throughout the state watching for evidence of breeding birds. The goal for the Breeding Bird Atlas is to document, by the end of summer 2013, all breeding species in the state and where in the state they breed. 2009 was our first survey season and participation has exceeded our goal! 400 interested surveyors have registered for the project and 347 survey blocks have been ‘adopted’ throughout the state. View state map of adopted blocks.

Results
Our first season is not over but already 20,000 observations have been reported in more than 900 blocks throughout the state. And there is more data from this season that has not yet been submitted. By the end of July, 222 species have been reported and 181 of those species were confirmed breeding species. All observations have not yet been reviewed but preliminary season one results are available by species on our project website, under Atlas Results.

Photos
For a fascinating look at evidence used to document whether birds are breeding, check out the photo Gallery on the project website. There are 20 different visual or audio clues that provide evidence of either possible, probable, or confirmed breeding status. Thanks to Dave Cahlander, the project webmaster, bird observers can upload images of examples of these evidence clues. You will see examples of distraction displays, adults feeding young, nestlings, downy young, and nests with eggs – and a brood patch for a Rose-breasted Grosbeak. The photographs, contributed by generous and talented photographers, are amazing.

What’s Next?
Although it is late in the breeding season for most species, there is still observable evidence of nesting. If you are new to the Atlas or are moving on to a new block, this is also a great time to drive, hike, paddle, or bicycle your way around a survey block to look for representative habitat and points of easy access. The Atlas is a great way to find and get familiar with wonderful new birding sites. Then, when season 2 begins in January, you are ready to make a visit to look and listen for early breeding species.

Join us!
The Atlas is a huge project, critical to the conservation of Minnesota’s birds. What are the benefits to surveyors? Surveyors will learn a lot about birds, improve their identification and observation skills, make a contribution to bird conservation, and have a terrific time. To learn more about the project and how you can help, go to the project website or email Bonnie Sample.

Funding for this project is provided by the Minnesota Environment and Natural Resources Trust Fund as recommended by the Legislative-Citizen Commission on Minnesota Resources (LCCMR) and a partnership of bird conservation organizations.