Become an Atlas Surveyor

Prothonotary Warbler©David Cahlander
Surveyors are the backbone of the Atlas project. Surveyors do not need to be expert birders to participate but need to be familiar with most birds in their area and keen to improve their identification skills. Less experienced birders can take a friend or a mentor into the field as they survey. Each Surveyor signs-up to 'own' or 'adopt' one or more Priority Blocks.

Block Ownership
A block owner is responsible for covering the Priority Block. Block coverage means that all habitat types and important special features (e.g. airports, bridges) have been surveyed to find as many species as possible. Most block owners take full responsibility for surveying the block. Other block owners choose to share survey visits with another birder. In addition, all observations contributed by other participants that fall within the block are included with the block data. The role of the block owner is to be sure that the block survey meets the goal; the Regional Coordinator can help determine when a block is complete.

Block Survey Goal
The goal for each block is to record the strongest breeding evidence for every species observed and/or heard in the block.

The best estimate from states with Atlas experience suggests that a block can be covered in about 20 hours of active surveying. Surveyors' skills, habitat complexity, and ease of access will affect the amount of time required. We recommend trying to cover a block within one breeding season but final observations can be made in subsequent years.

As one experienced surveyor said, "Atlasing is a wonderful balance between disciplined field work and flexible birding . . . At the end of the season, you've had fun in the field, learned a lot about the breeding birds in your block(s), and made a contribution to our knowledge of breeding bird populations."

For more answers to your questions, check out the Handbook or contact your Regional Coordinator.

Ready to join us? Look for Request Block in your area of interest.