Breeding Bird Atlas III Project
Published: June 16, 2020
Tags: General Observations, breeding bird atlas, northern rough-winged swallow, american robin, american redstart, common merganser, yellow warbler, cooper's hawk, killdeer, chipping sparrow, yellow-bellied sapsucker, red-shouldered hawk, eastern bluebird, red-bellied woodpecker, purple martin, white-tailed deer, fawn
This year, a five-year project begins in New York State to observe and record the birds that are breeding here in the state. It's a large-scale citizen science endeavor that will help scientists and ornithologists understand the growth or decline of species as well as help guide future conservation decisions. Myself and many birders across New York are signing-up to cover 3 mile by 3 mile areas (blocks) to ensure adequate coverage of the state.
When resident birds begin their singing, courting, defending their territories, and then eventually nest building, egg laying, and feeding young ones, we record our observations. I am finding it to be much more fun than I had anticipated. I'm learning so much by being more stationary and just observing bird behavior. I think I am actually SEEING more too.
Below are some photos I've captured that shows some of the different breeding behaviors I've noticed. Some birds have young already while others are just getting going. The whole affair is really quite fascinating when you take the time to stop and observe.
If you want to find out more about the NYS Breeding Bird Atlas III project, visit their site at:
NYS BBA III.
When I took this photo, it was at the end of May and a pair of American Robins had already fledged a young one!
A Northern Rough-winged Swallow gathers nest material. Normally, I wouldn't even noticed this!
A male American Redstart sings to attract a mate
Well, these Common Mergansers must have started their family early too!
A Yellow Warbler is busy building her nest
Raptors nest early too - and this female Cooper's Hawk has been on nest for a couple of weeks now.
This baby Killdeer was too cute not to photograph!
A Chipping Sparrow gathering nest material
A Yellow-bellied Sapsucker dad bringing food to a nest cavity for his young
I watched this Red-shouldered Hawk kill a snake and then carry it off to his nestlings
Another set of robins are still gathering food to feed their young
I watched with hope while a pair of Eastern Bluebirds checked out a nest box in our yard.
A female Red-bellied Woodpecker gets ready to leave the nest cavity while Dad gets a bug ready to deliver
A recently fledged Purple Martin
Even the White-tailed Deer have been busy. A pair of twins in our backyard...