New York Breeding Bird Atlas

If you're an eBird user, your contributions have powered research and conservation throughout the state and beyond, and 2020 brings another great way to enjoy birds: the third New York Breeding Bird Atlas! Breeding Bird Atlases (or BBAs) are dedicated efforts to understand the populations of breeding birds in a specific region. For the next 5 years, birders in New York will be going out throughout the state to document the breeding behaviors they observe, and we want you to be a part of it.

How Can You Join the Fun?

All you have to do is go birding! The NY BBA III is fully integrated with eBird, so with a couple minor changes, you're essentially already atlasing! 

There are three things to keep in mind to be a part of the atlas:

1. The goal of the atlas is to document breeding behaviors using specific breeding codes. Understanding breeding codes is key.
2. Atlas data are collected within 'atlas blocks'—square blocks that are around 3mi x 3mi in size. Keeping your traveling counts within a block is essential: if you reach the edge of a block, make sure to stop your checklist and start a new one.
3. Once you understand breeding codes and the block boundaries, make sure to change your eBird portal to the NY BBA III for checklists with breeding codes. This is very easy, and there is a walkthrough of the process here.

If you have any more questions, please check out all eBird Atlas resources and stay informed by signing up for the atlas newsletter.

Thank you,
Julie Hart, NY BBA III Project Coordinator—for the NY BBA III team

If you've ever had the pleasure of exploring our Northrup Hill or Gleason Sanctuaries, you may know that the Chemung Valley Audubon Society has a cabin in the Gleason Audubon Wildlife Sanctuary in Caton, NY, that has been used by the club for events over the years. The Ondura roof, installed over thirty years ago, was deteriorating, thereby allowing water to enter and damage the interior structure.

Recognizing the seriousness of this problem, the CVAS Board of Directors hired RJ Construction of Woodhull, NY, to re-roof the cabin with a 40-year-warranty metal roof. A green roof color was selected to blend in with the forest environment of the sanctuary. The roofing work was initiated on Wednesday, March 28, 2018, and completed on Saturday, March 31, 2018.

Once the old roofing material was removed, an inspection of the main structure found it to be in excellent condition. As part of the new roof, translucent panels were placed strategically in the roof, allowing sunlight to penetrate into the cabin and brighten up the room. The construction went very well, and CVAS members are very pleased with the work. It looks great!

The Board of Directors recognized that this project requires a substantial outlay of funds, but agreed the work is needed to protect the club's asset. The club would gratefully accept any donation to help assist with the funding of this project.

Visit our Gleason Sanctuary page to see the photo album highlighting the progression of work on the roof project. For the next phase of cabin improvements, club members will volunteer their time to repair the water-damaged interior sections of the cabin. Once completed, hopefully by this summer, the Audubon Chapter members can again utilize this facility and events can be planned.

Do stop up to Gleason for a nice spring walk on our trails and see the nice new green roof on our cabin!

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