The Ruffed Grouse (pictured) showed a 33 percent decline in population between the first atlas and the second.

Next Wednesday, Dec. 20 at 6 p.m., the Tiadaghton Audubon Society, a group of birders based in Wellsboro, is hosting an in-person presentation for the public about the importance of the Third Pennsylvania Bird Atlas (PBA3) project and the need for local volunteers from Tioga and Potter counties. It’s free.

Matt Schenk, the PBA3 coordinator for Potter County, is giving the Dec. 20 presentation in the Board Room/Old Music Room at the Wellsboro Area School District Administration Building at 227 Nichols Street in Wellsboro, directly across the street from the Wellsboro Area High School. Those attending can park near the handicapped entrance at the rear of the administration building. Inside, signs will direct people to the nearby meeting location. 

The purpose of this presentation is to inform potential volunteers about the who, what, where and why of Pennsylvania’s third Bird Atlas. PBA3 is a five-year statewide inventory of birds that breed and winter in the state. It‪ will begin on Jan. 1, 2024 and run through early 2029 with publication of the atlas in 2032. The first two atlases were conducted in Pennsylvania in the 1980s and early 2000s and published in 1992 and 2012 respectively. 

The PBA3 will rely on thousands of volunteers to document species and breeding behaviors across the state. Results will help detect population and distribution changes for the birds of PA – information that is critical for designating species of conservation concern and informing land management and protection. 

The Dec. 20 presentation will outline why atlases are conducted, how the PBA3 works, and how anyone can participate. 

“Our State bird, the Ruffed Grouse, showed a 33 percent decline in population between the first atlas and the second. As a result of those findings, programs were put in place to reverse that decline. We hope that the results of the PBA3 will verify the efforts of these Ruffed Grouse programs,” said Sean Minnick, a member of the Tiadaghton Audubon Society.

We are very concerned about the status of birds in this area and are encouraging people to volunteer,” Minnick said. 

The Hawk Mountain Sanctuary located outside of Reading Pa. is an international center for raptor conservation, education, observation and research and a co-leader of the PBA3 with the Pennsylvania Society for Ornithology and the Pennsylvania Game Commission. PBA3 will be headquartered out of Hawk Mountain. For more information, contact the Tiadaghton Audubon Society by emailing tasmember@yahoo.com or calling Sean or Robin Minnick at 570-948-9052