Why do a second atlas?

From 1983 through 1987, over 100 volunteers participated in compiling data for Delaware’s first breeding bird atlas, Delaware’s largest and most comprehensive ornithological project. This effort, published in The Birds of Delaware (Hess et. al., 2000) summarized the distribution of the breeding birds during those years along with species accounts and data about all birds which occurred or were thought to occur in the State. Since then, the first atlas has become an important resource, providing much data about Delaware’s breeding avifauna. It is often used by researchers, scientists, government officials, and birders alike. But much has changed in the last 20 years. Development occurs in every county. New roads are being designed and constructed. Wetlands are created and clear cuts are regenerating. Some agricultural lands are being pulled from production to make way for new homes, others parcels are allowed to lie fallow for several years, and still others are being created to make more room for important crops. Beyond observable change, we also must consider climate change and how it has and will affect our landscape. Our challenge now is to examine how change, to our landscape or our climate, has impacted our populations of breeding birds. This is why the second Delaware Breeding Bird Atlas is so important!