Thousands Across California Document Birds for the State’s First-Ever Breeding Bird Atlas

LOS ANGELES, CA — Conservation teams, hen organizations, and group scientists throughout California are getting ready for the inaugural California Hen Atlas Large Weekend, a four-day effort happening June 4–7, to doc breeding birds as a part of the first-ever statewide Breeding Hen Atlas (BBA).

Hundreds of Californians will unfold out throughout the state’s shoreline, deserts, forests, wetlands, valleys, and cities to doc as many breeding hen species in as many elements of the state as potential. Dozens of group occasions are being organized by native hen and conservation teams.

California is considered one of solely six states that has by no means accomplished a statewide Breeding Hen Atlas, regardless of supporting extra breeding hen species than some other place within the nation. BBAs are large-scale, multi-year efforts to doc the distribution and breeding standing of all nesting hen species throughout a area, creating a necessary baseline for monitoring ecological change over time. As a result of breeding birds reply shortly to shifts in local weather, habitat, and land use, they’re among the many best indicators of general ecosystem well being. By constructing this baseline now, Californians will assist create one of the necessary biodiversity datasets in state historical past and supply a robust device for guiding conservation selections for many years to return. 

“California might arguably be known as the birdiest state, however we’ve fallen far behind on pursuing this important device,” stated Van Pierszalowski, Govt Director of California Hen Atlas, a brand new nonprofit group devoted to establishing the state’s Breeding Hen Atlas. “The birding group right here has exploded in recent times, changing into youthful and extra various than most individuals notice. It’s been inspiring to see all these people come collectively for a shared mission, immediately including to group science that may inform conservation selections for years to return.”

“As champions for all of California’s 600+ hen species and our state’s unbelievable biodiversity, we’re thrilled to assist launch our state’s first and solely Breeding Hen Atlas,” stated Andrea Jones, vp of Audubon California, a founding companion group of California Hen Atlas. “This community-powered initiative is among the most fun alternatives to advance avian science and conservation planning for the hundreds of thousands of birds that depend on California to breed, feed, and relaxation throughout their exceptional migrations.”

The hassle comes at a pivotal second for California. Wildfires, local weather change, habitat loss, and rising strain on land and water assets are quickly reshaping landscapes throughout the state. Scientists and land managers more and more want long-term knowledge to know how wildlife populations are responding.

“Breeding Hen Atlases present a necessary scientific baseline for understanding how ecosystems are altering over time,” stated Morgan Tingley, Professor of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology at UCLA and chair of CBA’s Science Advisory Committee. “At a time of speedy environmental change and rising ecological uncertainty, establishing a statewide baseline for California’s breeding birds is urgently necessary for each conservation and science.”

The nonprofit California Hen Atlas formally launched the challenge on January 1, 2026, with knowledge assortment scheduled to proceed via 2030. The response from the birding group was rapid. By late Could, greater than 4,000 people had already contributed to the challenge, collectively submitting over 110,000 Atlas checklists via a custom-built eBird platform. 

To study extra, discover occasions, or host an outing, go to: www.californiabirdatlas.org/bigweekend.

About California Hen Atlas
California Hen Atlas is a nonprofit group devoted to establishing California’s first statewide Breeding Hen Atlas whereas deepening the general public’s connection to nature. California Hen Atlas is supported by Audubon California, the Cornell Lab of Ornithology, UCLA, state companies, 28 native Audubon chapters, and different conservation organizations.

About Audubon California
Audubon California is a regional workplace of the Nationwide Audubon Society, a number one nonprofit conservation group with 120 years of science-based, community-driven affect, devoted to defending birds and the locations they want, in the present day and tomorrow. Study extra at audubon.org/california and comply with us on Instagram and Facebook @AudubonCA.