MEADOWLANDS BREEDING BIRD ATLAS
Drew McQuade from the NJSEA Natural Resources Department will be heading up the compilation of the first ever Meadowlands’ Breeding Bird Atlas. This project is being designed and led by NJSEA staff, but will require volunteers to assist with the approximately 2 month field effort this summer.
A Breeding Bird Atlas is a population survey project designed to cover large geographic areas. Each participant in the project, referred to as an observer or ‘atlaser’, will be assigned one or more blocks in which to conduct extensive surveys. The observer will record all species present in the survey block, and will also look for behaviors which provide evidence of breeding. NJSEA will collect the data and analyze the results, with the end product being a comprehensive database of breeding bird distribution in the Meadowlands and publication in a scientific journal.
Training will be provided to those interested in participating. Some experience in bird identification is needed to assist, but species that will be identified will be those you typically identify here in the Meadowlands District. The total time effort that will be required from volunteers is approximately 5-6 hours total over the months of June and July.
If you are interested in signing up as a volunteer, please email Drew McQuade (dmcquade@njsea.com) and Terry Doss (tdoss@njsea.com) before May 7, 2021.
