Publisher's Synopsis
Vermont's breeding bird atlas of 1985 was a landmark tool to guide conservation and provided baseline maps of Vermont's bird fauna. Now, after a quarter century of change, The Second Atlas of Breeding Birds of Vermont, one of the most comprehensive Vermont wildlife publications ever produced, provides a vital tool for state- and region-wide bird conservation and appreciation. A product of the single largest citizen science project in Vermont's history, this volume presents the fruits of a five-year labor of love and dedication from 350 volunteers of all ages and backgrounds. Their more than 30,000 hours afield documented breeding birds across the state, providing a new, up-to-date "state of the birds" resource on breeding in Vermont. One of the first second-generation atlases to be completed in North America, this edition documents changes in breeding bird distributions by comparing current figures to those in the 1985 atlas. This indispensable and visually stunning reference includes full-color photographs, maps, graphs, and descriptions of over 200 species. In addition, the contributors present a full accounting of data collection and methods; a guide to the biogeography of Vermont; and essays on changes in habitats, climate, land use, and their impact on Vermont's bird communities over the past twenty-five years. A treasure trove of information for birders-and an invaluable reference for ornithologists, conservationists, and land use planners-this book will influence and guide our understanding and management of avian species in Vermont for decades to come.
