Do You Know About The Maine Bird Atlas?

I had no idea about this little resource until I started seeking more info on the the birds that were coming out to one of my 'bird buffets'.

Imagine my surprise when I found out that I, and you for that matter, can join Maine's newest citizen science project. This project is over seen by the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife and everyone can help. So it makes a great way to include the whole family and get outside together to do some field work.

The obvious question is... What IS the Maine Bird Atlas? I found out that not only is Maine involved in this project that has been going on since 2018, and will run through 2022, but there are other bird atlases all over the world. It basically works down to tracking different species of birds, and their density in a given area. With that information you can track a bunch of things. The cool part is that different people can take away different things from the atlas. Like I'm only really interested in what birds I can expect to see visiting my 'bird buffet', as I like to call it. Other people might be interested in comparing the data between different bird atlases. When this project is finished, the state of Maine will have answered the questions...How many breeding and wintering birds are there in Maine? And, where exactly can they be found?

Eventually all this data will be published both digitally, and as a reference resource book to assist anyone from researchers, to students, to part-time bird watchers like me.

If you'd like to get involved, either as a 'citizen scientist, or even a corporate sponsor, or are simply interested in learning more about Maine birds, the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife has put together a wonderful website for this project.

CLICK HERE to learn more about the Maine Bird Atlas. Happy Birding.