Frequently Asked Questions

1. If the 1st PBBA was done twenty years ago, why are we Atlassing in PA again?
2. Why do I need to report on the presence of hemlocks as I do my Atlassing?
3. I am new to bird-watching, how can I learn more about bird behavior before I start Atlassing?
4. I work outdoors, and observe breeding birds all the time, but I really don’t have time to enter my data on the computer. Can I still contribute to the 2nd PBBA?
5. I can’t travel far to Atlas, but I do know of a few birds that are nesting in my backyard— is that information valuable for the 2nd PBBA?
6. There are portions of neighboring states within my block—do I atlas there as well?
7. What does it mean to be a “”Block Owner?”
8. I see that the block surrounding my home is “Owned” by another volunteer—can I still submit data for that block?
9. What are “Safe Dates,” and why are they important?
10. Are there codes that are “better” than others that I should aim for? For instance, if I see a bird carrying nesting material (CN), should I try to confirm nest building (NB)?
11. When should I plan to do my Atlassing work?
12. When should I report my observations?
13. Is there a specific number of species expected in my block?
14. How do I track effort for incidental observations, such as those made while travelling through several different blocks?
15. I would like to Atlas in a different habitat, such as a wetland area near my home, but it is on private property, what should I do?
16. What do I do if I find a “Regional or Statewide Rarity” or a “Species of Special Concern?”
17. I have some spare time to invest Atlassing. As we enter the home stretch (now in the fourth year of the five-year study), how can I best help the 2nd PBBA?

1. If the 1st PBBA was done twenty years ago, why are we Atlassing in PA again?
When an Atlas survey is repeated twenty or more years later, any changes can be documented and related to environmental (including human-caused change) and biological factors. The results of the 2nd PBBA promise to benefit all of us through a greater understanding of bird populations and how they are impacted by the changing environment which we share with all wildlife. Back to top

2. Why do I need to report on the presence of hemlocks as I do my Atlassing?
Pennsylvania’s state tree, the eastern hemlock, is an important nesting habitat for several PA breeding species. An introduced forest pest, the wooly adelgid, is weakening and diminishing the hemlock’s presence in Pennsylvania. 2nd PBBA volunteers are documenting this change because the loss of this unique component of Penn’s Woods may negatively affect the PennsylAvian biodiversity. Back to top

3. I am new to bird-watching, how can I learn more about bird behavior before I start Atlassing?
There are many good field guides, birding books and sound recordings available at your local library or bookstore. For a list of ideas, see pages 52—53 of the 2nd PBBA Handbook for Participants. You may also want to spend time with some experienced bird watchers by participating in an outing of a local nature club or Audubon Society—check with your Regional Coordinator, or the internet to find a group near you. Back to top

4. I work outdoors, and observe breeding birds all the time, but I really don’t have time to enter my data on the computer. Can I still contribute to the 2nd PBBA?
Yes, completed forms and field cards can be submitted to the 2nd PBBA main office at 1847 Rt. 381, Rector, PA 15677. Back to top

5. I can’t travel far to Atlas, but I do know of a few birds that are nesting in my backyard— is that information valuable for the 2nd PBBA?
Every single breeding bird observation adds value to the 2nd PBBA. If you are short on time, or cannot travel far from home, you can use the simplified Backyard Bird Watcher form available from this website or from the 2nd PBBA main office. Mail your completed form to the office, and we’ll enter your data for you! Back to top

6. There are portions of neighboring states within my block—do I atlas there as well?
No. If you are in one of the blocks along the PA border, confine your Atlassing efforts to within the state. Back to top

7. What does it mean to be a “Block Owner?”
An owner of a block is the volunteer assigned to the block that is expected to be the person primarily responsible for spending enough time in the block (at various times of the day, and in as many habitats as can be found and accessed) to generate a nearly complete list of breeding birds present in that block. Owners are expected to spend at least 25 atlassing hours within the block over the five-year atlas project. Back to top

8. I see that the block surrounding my home is “Owned” by another volunteer—can I still submit data for that block?
Yes, although another volunteer has taken “Ownership” of your block (agreeing to be primarily responsible for completing the Atlas coverage within that block), other volunteers are able (and encouraged!) to contribute breeding bird observations for any block in any year of the Atlas. Back to top

9. What are “Safe Dates,” and why are they important?
Simply put, Safe Dates indicate the time period between Spring and Fall migrations. If a bird is in Pennsylvania during the Safe Dates for that species, it is most likely a PA breeding bird. Safe Dates relate only to Observed [O] or Possible [X] breeding codes, where a bird’s presence is merely noted, either within a suitable breeding habitat or not. For Probable and Confirmed Breeding Codes, observations such as courtship behavior and nest building clearly indicate a breeding presence, which can be documented even outside of the safe dates. Back to top

10. Are there codes that are “better” than others that I should aim for? For instance, if I see a bird carrying nesting material (CN), should I try to confirm nest building (NB)?
If you “Observe” a bird during its safe dates, you may want to go back later and attempt to upgrade that observation to a “Probable” or “Confirmed” breeding code. However, evidence of breeding is clearly represented by any of the “Confirmed” codes; there is no need to pursue a bird once any confirmed breeding behavior is observed. Remember, the goal is to document the breeding birds, but disrupt them as little as possible. Do not approach a nest or flush nesting birds repeatedly to get a better look. Simply record your observation and continue Atlassing. Back to top

11. When should I plan to do my Atlassing work?
Most of your work for the 2nd PBBA will be done in the summer months, especially June and July, during the Safe Dates for most species. Your effort should include time spent at different times of the day to ensure detections of species that are active at dawn and dusk. Make a note of species expected in your area that have a broad range for the safe dates, such as many owl species, and check for those in the “off season." Back to top

12. When should I report my observations?
Report your observations as soon as you are able to do so. Up-to-date information is available on the website, so that participants and coordinators can follow the progress of the 2nd PBBA, and determine where more work is needed. A timely submission of your data may eliminate duplicate efforts by other Atlassers trying to confirm the same species within your block. If you spend a lot of time Atlassing, you may want to report your observations weekly, or several times within the breeding season. If you have just an occasional observation throughout the year, you can submit your data at the end of each breeding season. Back to top

13. Is there a specific number of species expected in my block?
Yes, based on the results of the 1st PBBA, there are “Species Goals for block completion” available to download from this website (see the “Atlassing Materials” link). If you (or other volunteers) have spent 20-25 hours Atlassing in various habitats within your block, and have reported 75-90% of the species expected in your area, then that block is probably “complete,” and you are encouraged to spend time in another area that may not have been Atlassed as thoroughly. Back to top

14. How do I track effort for incidental observations, such as those made while travelling through several different blocks?
For these kinds of observations, we ask that you assign an “effort” of 10 minutes per record as an estimate of the time it may have taken for you to make, record and report the observation. Back to top

15. I would like to Atlas in a different habitat, such as a wetland area near my home, but it is on private property, what should I do?
Permission to enter private land must be obtained from the property owner before you can Atlas there. Tell the owner about the 2nd PBBA, and what you hope to accomplish by visiting his property. Let him know how often you will need to visit, and what you expect to find. An official letter requesting landowner permission can be printed from the website or obtained from the 2nd PBBA main office. Back to top

16. What do I do if I find a “Regional or Statewide Rarity” or a “Species of Special Concern?”
A “Rarity” is a breeding bird that is unexpected where it was observed (based upon the data from the 1st PBBA). If you make such an observation, contact your Regional Coordinator as soon as possible, and they will instruct you on how to proceed. Species of Special Concern also require a call to your RC, as well as very careful and thorough documentation which will be reviewed before submission in the final 2nd PBBA publication. Verification forms for these species can be downloaded from the “Atlassing Materials” section of this website. Back to top

17. I have some spare time to invest Atlassing. As we enter the home stretch (now in the fourth year of the five-year study), how can I best help the 2nd PBBA?
There are 4,937 Atlas blocks within Pennsylvania, and many of them still have no breeding bird observations! To get the best value from your Atlassing effort, try to Atlas in blocks that are not “Complete.” [ To find a block that still needs more Atlas work, “View Regions & Blocks” at http://bird.atlasing.org/Atlas/PA/Main; click on the region of the PA map where you want to Atlas, and you be able to see which blocks are “complete”] Be sure to visit a variety of habitats at various times of the day. If you are interested in assisting with special Owl and Marshbird detection protocols, contact your Regional Coordinator and find out if you can conduct on of these surveys in a block near you. Back to top