New York State
Ornithological Association

For the birders and birds of the Empire State

New York State's Second
Breeding Bird Atlas
 

Atlas Logo

In the early 1980s, New York was one of the first states to undertake a Breeding Bird Atlas project, mapping the distribution of the more than 250 species of birds that breed in the state. Twenty years later, New York began work on a second Atlas to determine how breeding distributions had changed over the twenty years since the first one.

 

Between 2000 and 2005, more than 1,200 people submitted data for the Atlas 2000 project and spent about 155,000 hours in the field. Participants ranged from novice backyard observers, to professional ornithologists, to a small number of paid surveyors who were assigned to areas that were difficult to access, especially in the Catskill and Adirondack Mountains. We attained our goal of 100% coverage of more than 5,300 survey blocks in the state. Volunteers visited each of the habitats represented in their assigned blocks and recorded the behavior of the birds that they saw there, reporting each species as a Possible, Probable, or Confirmed breeder. Many thanks to all the volunteers!

 

See the DEC website for data, distribution maps, and more details on this project.

 

The Second Atlas Published

The Second Atlas of Breeding Birds of New York State

The Second Atlas of Breeding Birds of New York State, edited by Kevin McGowan and Kimberley Corwin, was published in 2008. The book contains extensive text, maps, and tables. Also included are over 250 works by more than 15 artists specifically commissioned to illustrate the breeding birds. Learn more about the new book!

 

The Atlas books show locations where each bird species was found to breed and provides information on the many factors that affect bird populations. Although bird species generally breed in particular areas regularly and predictably, species distributions can change over time. Scientists believe atlases are important because the changes they uncover can reveal a great deal about the health of bird populations and the environment in which they live. If a species occurs today in fewer areas than it once did, steps can be taken to prevent further decline.

 

The Atlas 2000 surveys revealed that 251 of the 467 species recorded in the state, also bred in New York. The other 200 or so species pass through on their way to other areas. Some only spend the winter, while others turn up in the state now and then.

 

Certain trends were reported. Although the number of breeding species stayed nearly the same, the project found that several species were gained. Half of the species changed their distributions significantly. Of those, more increased than decreased.

 

One significant species, however, is likely to disappear. The Loggerhead Shrike, already rare during the first Atlas, was no longer breeding in the state during the second Atlas, due to loss of agricultural lands, collisions with vehicles and, perhaps, because of the accumulation of pesticides from insects they eat.

 

The Brown Thrasher declined by 30 percent, showing reduced populations in all sections of the state. The Whip-poor-will’s population decreased by almost 60 percent, possibly due to industrial pollution, pesticide use and reduced availability of their favored food source.

 

The surveys also noted the incredible expansion of Merlin breeding. This small falcon has established populations both in the wilds of the Adirondacks and in urban areas. These birds are very noisy when nesting; the screams they make can be heard a long distance away.

 

As in the past, the American Robin was found to be the most widespread species in New York. New York’s’ ten most common species have changed little in 20 years. However, some species, such as the Wild Turkey, are now seen much more often than in the past.

 

The second Atlas also addresses the issue of global warming. Although a handful of species that breed south of New York State have shown a significant northward shift, it is not clear yet whether this is in response to climate change. The survey notes that several other factors complicate the issue, including New York’s varied geography and an increase in food availability.

 

Atlas Exhibit at New York State Museum

Mapping the Birds of New York: the Second Atlas of Breeding Birds in New York State was on exhibit at the New York State Museum from October 3, 2008 through August 16, 2009.

 

The New York State Museum, located in Albany, is a program of the New York State Education Department, the University of the State of New York, and the Office of Cultural Education. Further information about programs and events can be obtained by calling (518) 474-5877 or visiting the museum website.

Partners

The New York State Ornithological Association worked with the following organizations on Atlas 2000:

           

 

— Valerie Freer, Chair, Atlas 2000 Steering Committee

 


 Return to the NYSOA Home Page

About Us  |  Banded/Marked_Birds  |  Breeding Bird Atlas  |  Breeding Bird Survey
Calendar  |  Checklists  |  Conservation  |  Field Trips  |  Member Clubs/Organizations
Membership  | NYSARC (Rare_Birds)  |  Publications  |  Rare Bird Alert
Reporting & Listing  |  Waterfowl Count  |  Web Links