DURHAM, NC—Everyone is invited to join the North Carolina Bird Atlas for Big Atlas Weekend 2025 and participate in a statewide initiative to map breeding birds. From June 27-29 birders, atlas technicians, and chapters will be heading to priority blocks to record as many breeding species as possible for the fifth and final breeding season of the Atlas. 

The North Carolina Bird Atlas is a state-wide community science initiative to map breeding and overwintering birds in our state so we can better understand resident birds and the habitats they need. We’re in the final breeding season of the Atlas so we need your help to confirm as many breeding species as possible. Right now, we have 214 incomplete blocks in the Mountains, 322 along the coast, and 194 in the piedmont. We need you to help finish these incomplete blocks! 

“We’re in the final push of this monumental five-year effort to map breeding birds across the state,” said Scott Anderson, North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission Science Support Coordinator. “This data will be invaluable for future conservation efforts.” 

The Atlas team is asking for folks to visit as many incomplete priority blocks as possible and confirm breeding birds. Participants can join the Bird Atlas’s weekly Q&A on June 27 from 3-4pm, to learn more about Atlasing and ask any questions. 

Participating is simple: start any time after Friday at 6pm, stop at least one minute before Midnight on Sunday, June 29, tag the North Carolina Bird Atlas when posting to Instagram and Facebook to inspire others.  

Help us complete this important community science initiative by participating in Big Atlas Weekend 2025. All you have to do is connect your eBird account to the NC Bird Atlas portal and add breeding behavior codes to your observations. To find incomplete priority blocks, visit the block explorer and click “overview.” Red blocks are incomplete and need your observations. 

Looking to get more involved in the weekend? Spread the word using our social media toolkit and don’t forget to tag @ncbirdatlas on Facebook and Instagram with your Atlasing pictures and stories. 

Media Contact: Brittany Salmons, brittany.salmons@audubon.org   

About Audubon North Carolina     

Audubon North Carolina, a state program of the National Audubon Society, has offices in Durham, Boone, Corolla, and Wilmington. Learn more at nc.audubon.org and on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram. The National Audubon Society protects birds and the places they need, today and tomorrow. A nonprofit conservation organization since 1905, Audubon works throughout the Americas using science, advocacy, education, and on-the-ground conservation. Learn more at audubon.org and on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram @audubonsociety.