Breeding – Edgar A. Mearns Bird Club

January 12, 2020January 12, 2020

NY BBA III Breeding Codes: Possibles and Probables

By Julie Hart, NY BBA III

Possible Breeding Codes

There are only two codes that fall in the Possible category and they are used to indicate the presence of a species in the block in the appropriate habitat (H) and singing birds (S). Both of these codes should only be used if the bird is in appropriate nesting habitat (you may have to look this up online or in a field guide) and only during the breeding season (look this up on the Breeding Guideline Bar Chart). With both codes, it’s a good idea to return to the site a few weeks later to see if you can bump up the code for that species to the Probable or Confirmed categories. It’s likely the bird is on territory but maybe you are there at the wrong time of day or too early in the season.

January 12, 2020January 12, 2020

NY BBA III Breeding Codes: Confirmations

By Julie Hart, Atlas Project Coordinator

What are the different categories of breeding evidence?

The atlas breeding codes fall into four categories or levels: Observed, Possible, Probable, and Confirmed. As you can tell by their names, they range from weak to strong evidence for breeding. Observed and Possible codes indicate that a bird is present, but we don’t have enough evidence to say that they are attempting to breed.

January 1, 2020January 12, 2020

Let the Atlasing Begin!

From Wendy Tocci and Anne Swaim, Regional Coordinators, Hudson region

The third New York State Breeding Bird Atlas has officially begun! We hope that you will join thousands of other birders in documenting the state’s breeding species over the next five years!

Working together with the Atlas Steering Committee, Atlas Project Coordinator Julie Hart, and a team of regional coordinators, Anne Swaim and I will be coordinating Atlas activities in the Hudson region. I will be the point of contact for Columbia, Ulster, Dutchess, Sullivan and Northern Orange Counties. Anne will be taking responsibility for Westchester, Putnam, Rockland and Southern Orange County.

If you’re interested in learning more you can attend the Breeding Bird Atlas Workshop being held at Hasbrouck Park in Kingston, NY, on Thursday, January 16 from 6 to 8 pm (details here). All are welcome! Because the breeding season of many species starts later in the spring, there will be more Atlas training workshops and other opportunities to learn more about Atlas goals and how atlasing works. *