Date: 12/9/25 3:50 am From: Chris Elphick via CTBirds <ctbirds...> Subject: [CT Birds] Connecticut Bird Atlas update
Hi everyone,
This week we released an initial draft version of the atlas website: https://draft.ctbirdatlas.research.uconn.edu/. It is not a complete or final version, so I wanted to explain where things stand, and what the site does and does not contain.
Bird atlases are notorious for taking a long time to be released because of all the work that needs to be done after data collection is over, and unfortunately ours is not an exception. Because we are releasing information online, however, we’ve concluded that we should not wait until everything is done before making information that people can use available.
We also plan to take advantage of the situation and consider this initial release as a final opportunity to get birder feedback and review of atlas maps to ensure they do not contain errors.
What the current release contains:
- Maps showing block data from the first (1982-86) and second (2018-21) breeding atlases.
- Maps showing block data from the first winter atlas (2018-22).
- Species lists for each block, accessed from the interactive block map.
- Timing (phenology) data for key breeding codes.
- Text to provide interpretation and historical context for the atlas data - so far, these have been completed for ~70 species; additional species text will be added in batches as it gets finalized.
- Population size estimates for many species based on systematic atlas surveys.
What is planned for future releases? Adding text for the remaining species is the priority, but we also plan to expand the information for all species. Additional components will include:
- More detailed information on timing of occurrence throughout the year. (Frank Gallo is helping us with this, based on the charts in his excellent book Birding in Connecticut.)
- Predictive maps of occurrence and relative abundance for common and widespread species.
- Detailed information on the occurrence history of rare species. (Phil Rusch is helping with this part on behalf of the ARCC - if you go to the owls, you'll see that there are a few example species already done.)
- Eventually, we also hope to add a variety of other historical information to make this site the single go-to place for information on the state's birds.
What birders can do to help:
- A quick check of the species lists for any blocks you surveyed or know well. Remember that others may have recorded species you did not find and that we are only mapping species found during the atlas survey period (spring 2018 - Feb 2022). If you do find an error, please use the reporting form to let us know (link in the legend under each map).
- If you helped with the atlas, please also check the list of atlas volunteers to make sure you are listed and your name is spelled correctly. If you see other errors on this list, please help us correct them by email me.
Although we still have a way to go, we hope that putting the bulk of the atlas data out into the world where people can use it will benefit the hundreds of birders who have contributed to the project, and anyone else interested in the state's birds. If you have other comments on the project web site (especially if you find errors), please email me at <chris.elphick...>
Finally, on behalf of the entire atlas team, I'd like once again to thank everyone who has contributed to the project.
Chris
Chris ElphickStorrs, CT@ssts
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