Bird Watching:
Breeding Birds of Vermont “The Second Atlas of Breeding Birds of Vermont” is out! As you likely know, an Atlas is: a : a bound collection of maps often including illustrations, informative tables, or textual matter. b : a bound collection of tables, charts, or plates. (Merriam-Webster) This meager definition masks the huge intention and effort that goes into the creation and revision of an Atlas. This particular Atlas is the product of a state-wide breeding birds research project that has spanned ten years, brought together some 57,000 observations, and drew on 350 volunteers. It epitomizes a successful citizen science project. The data (observations) were pulled together by Vermont Center for Ecostudies into one beautiful reference book, which was published in April of this year. The completed Atlas – with maps, individual species accounts, discussions of Vermont's habitat and land use changes, and analyses of the data – has already helped scientists and policy makers decide how best to work and plan for avian conservation. Red-bellied Woodpecker by Janice Bauch, who is one of the contributing artists to the Breeding Bird Atlas exhibit. Cards and prints are available at the Birds of Vermont Museum.
A Bird Atlas maps the spatial distribution of birds (individual species and groups of species) in a particular place or set of places (e.g.,
a state) over some set period of time. This Atlas is specific to Vermont (although there are some sampling areas that reach over our borders somewhat), and focuses strictly on
those birds that are known to breed in Vermont. A first Atlas was published in 1985; this is one of the first “second-round” Atlases completed in North America.
Page 61 • Vermont’s Great Outdoors Magazine • May 2013