What Kind of Atlasser Am I:

Blackburnian Warbler Photo: Gerry Dewaghe www.pbase.com/gdewaghe

Intermediate Birders

Are you someone who watches birds wherever you go? Do you occasionally join an organized bird walk at a local nature center or take your binoculars along on a hike at a nearby park? If so, then you can contribute data to the 2nd Pennsylvania Breeding Bird Atlas just by keeping notes of what you observe on your outings this summer.

To make it as easy as possible for you to participate, we have created a field card to help you track your observations in the field. Field card entries include your name, dates and the block in which you are atlassing, plus spaces for recording any observations. You have the option of using a species code insert that lists the 4-letter code for each of the birds you are likely to see.

The Field Card and Field Card Insert as well as the complete Project Handbook are available as PDF files under the Atlas Materials link. (PDF files require Acrobat Reader. If you do not have Acrobat Reader, click here for the free download.)

Once you have collected your data, there are three ways to submit your observations – register and enter your data online; mail in your field card to the 2nd PBBA Office or e-mail them to mypabird@pabirdatlas.org. If you have just a few observations, you can easily submit them using our toll-free number: 1-888-PABIRD1 [please be ready to provide the date, the exact location where you saw the bird (street address, GPS bearing, or distance and direction from nearest landmark, etc.), the species, and the breeding behavior (if any) that you observed].

By contributing to the 2nd PBBA, you can count yourself among the thousands of volunteers who are putting Pennsylvania's breeding birds on the map. You will be acknowledged for your contributions in the final published book, and you will receive the very informative and interesting project newsletter, "The PennsylAvian Monitor," at least twice a year. The 2nd PBBA is a project that can involve everyone in your family, regardless of age or bird watching experience.

We sincerely hope you will help us to learn more about the birds near you— your participation in this project will help to conserve them and the habitats they depend upon in Pennsylvania for many years to come.