Quick Start Guide to Atlasing

Download the free eBird app for quick and accurate data collection in the field.
Click ‘Join Project’ at https://ebird.org/atlaspa/home. You must join the project to be able to participate.
If you are using the mobile app version of eBird, select Pennsylvania Bird Atlas from your available projects on the app home screen. Select this option any time you are creating a checklist for the Atlas, or you can turn on the “Remember selections” feature if you are atlasing regularly.
If you are using the web version of eBird instead, enter and submit Atlas checklists at: https://ebird.org/atlaspa/submit.

The state is divided into 4,938 3×3 mile blocks. Make sure that your checklists do not cross block boundaries. If your checklist is a traveling checklist, start a new checklist at the boundary.
Principal Atlasers are assigned to blocks to help ensure that block coverage goals are met. You do not have to sign up as a Principal Atlaser to participate. See the Atlas Map Tool for block maps and to sign up as a Principal Atlaser.

Especially when reporting breeding birds, checklists should be no more than 1 mile and 1 hour whenever possible. This provides much more accurate information on the location of birds. Be very careful when using eBird hotspots, as many are close to block boundaries. Personal locations at the exact location of your checklist are preferred.

Report and count (or estimate) all species you are able to identify by sight or sound. Incidental checklists are valuable too, if you see something interesting at a time when you can’t submit a complete checklist.

Use breeding codes for breeding birds! Slowing down to observe and document breeding behavior provides a richer data set for conservation and management of populations. Take time to learn the meaning of each code.
Don’t use breeding codes for non-breeding birds. Use the Breeding Guidelines Chart to know when to correctly assign codes. All codes (possible, probable, confirmed) can be used during the green (B) weeks for each species, whereas only probable and confirmed should be used during yellow (E) weeks. Confirmed codes can be used any time those behaviors are observed.
Breeding birds can be documented in all months in Pennsylvania. However, most breeding activity occurs from April through August and the peak months for documenting breeding birds are June and July.
See the Breeding Atlas Handbook for more information.

Add comments to your checklists to help data reviewers interpret sightings and behaviors, particularly when observing breeding birds. Audio recordings and photos are always welcome, especially to help confirm species that are flagged rare. Comments are especially welcome for Priority Species.

Please read the Atlas Code of Ethics.
At all times, minimize disturbance to nesting birds and respect people and property.
Do not rely on Merlin for species identification – always verify Merlin’s suggestions for yourself.

Atlasing is a lot of fun, whether you are birding in your backyard or exploring the state! Enjoy yourself, support other birders, and know that you are contributing to bird conservation in Pennsylvania.