| Dickcissel | ©David Cahlander |
The Minnesota Breeding Bird Atlas (MNBBA) is a critical bird conservation project that will identify every species that currently breeds in the state and where in the state each species breeds. Surprisingly, Minnesota is one of only seven states, and the only state along the Mississippi Flyway, that has not developed an atlas.
During the project's five years, from 2009 through 2013, volunteers and project partners report evidence of breeding behavior for all the species they see.
2013 is our final year to collect data and more than 800 Minnesota birders and bird enthusiasts have already submitted more than 224,000 observations from all across the state. Preliminary results identified 245 species with confirmed breeding evidence for 226 species. Thank You to all our participants who are making this important survey such a success.
Results from the MNBBA will enable us to:
- Map the occurrence and breeding status of all species in the state.
- Produce base-line information for monitoring future changes to bird populations.
- Support local and state-wide conservation planning with current, science-based information.
MNBBA data are accessible online throughout the project and will be available in a book and online upon completion of the Atlas. Results will be valuable not only for scientists, natural resource managers, public officials, educators, and birders, and everyone interested in Minnesota birds.
Because the MNBBA depends on the participation of citizen scientists, the project provides opportunities for bird watchers in every corner of the state to contribute to our knowledge of Minnesota birds. In addition to surveyors responsible for a specific area critical to project success, we welcome all members of the public to be Field Observers and contribute their observations to the project. We need the help of all bird enthusiasts to complete this project.
Your observations will help write the book on current bird distribution in Minnesota. This is your opportunity to make a lasting contribution to protecting our state breeding birds.
Join us - and bird with a purpose!
Funding for this project was provided by the Minnesota Environment and Natural Resources Trust Fund as recommended by the Legislative-Citizen Commission on Minnesota Resources (LCCMR) and partner organizations.