Mass Audubon's Breeding Bird Atlas

What is a Breeding Bird Atlas?
A Breeding Bird Atlas (BBA) is a collection of data about all of the birds that breed in a particular state or region. The data is usually collected by ornithologists and other field researchers, along with many serious amateur birders - citizen science at its best. The state is divided into 1,055 equal map blocks, and each block is observed for at least 20 hours during breeding season.
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The book, with full descriptions of each bird and beautifully illustrated with watercolors, is available in the Audubon Shop at Drumlin Farm.

This data was used to create Mass Audubon's first Massachusetts Breeding Bird Atlas, a comprehensive database of essentially all the birds that breed in Massachusetts, and the map blocks where they were found. The information was also published as Massachusetts Breeding Bird Atlas.
More about BBA1 >>

What is BBA2?
Since BBA1 was completed in 1979, significant changes have occurred in the Commonwealth's natural landscape. This has undoubtedly had an impact on the birds that breed in Massachusetts. Collecting breeding bird data again, using the same methodology as BBA1, will allow us to compare data from the 2 Atlases.
Read more about BBA2>>

Can I help?
Yes! Whether you're an accomplished birder or a novice, you can take part:

• Submit single sightings of birds - all you need to do is identify the species of bird, the location you saw the bird, and a breeding bird code - this tells the researchers what kind of breeding behavior you saw. Then fill out our online single sighting form.
• Work on a map block - if you have 20 hours or more you can devote to making observations, you can be a primary or secondary atlaser. First, read the information about methods, then you can sign up online and we'll contact you.
• Other bird sighting projects - you can also submit sightings of orioles and whip-poor-wills.
• Support the bird atlas - we welcome gifts in support of our breeding bird programs.