Bureau/Division/Agency
Inland Fisheries and Wildlife
Document Type
Text
Exact Creation Date
2022
Recommended Citation
"Breeding Bird Evidence Summary, Maine Bird Atlas" (2022). Maine Bird Atlas Data Visualization Shapefiles. 1.
https://digitalmaine.com/maine_bird_atlas_visualization_shapefiles/1
Breeding Bird Evidence Summary (DBF File)
MEBBA_breeding_evidence_summary_final.prj (1 kB)
Breeding Bird Evidence Summary (PRJ File)
MEBBA_breeding_evidence_summary_final.shx (31 kB)
Breeding Bird Evidence Summary (SHX File)
Files over 3MB may be slow to open. For best results, right-click and select "Save As"
Rights Statement
No Copyright - United States. URI: http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/NoC-US/1.0/
The organization that has made the Item available believes that the Item is in the Public Domain under the laws of the United States, but a determination was not made as to its copyright status under the copyright laws of other countries. The Item may not be in the Public Domain under the laws of other countries. Please refer to the organization that has made the Item available for more information.
Description
This shapefile contains summarized breeding-evidence data from the Maine Breeding Bird Atlas (MEBBA), providing block-level information for bird species observed during the breeding atlas. Maine was divided into survey blocks based on topographic quadrangles, and each polygon in this dataset represents an atlas block. Attributes include block and quadrangle identifiers, block type and location, and atlas coordinator region. Individual bird species are represented by four-letter alpha-code fields. Numeric values summarize the level of breeding evidence recorded for each species within each block: 0 = not observed, 1 = observed, 2 = possible breeding, 3 = probable breeding, and 4 = confirmed breeding.
The specific observations and behaviors that qualify as possible, probable, or confirmed breeding vary by species and time of year. Users should consult the Maine Bird Atlas protocols for definitions of the underlying breeding codes and applicable seasonal criteria. The dataset can be used to map the distribution and strength of breeding evidence for individual species and to compare breeding-bird occurrence among atlas blocks across Maine.
Data fields and coding
Name: Topographic quadrangle name.
BlockType: Type of atlas block. Values include regular (standard block), priority (a block designated for completion according to atlas protocols), and border (a block bordering another state or Canadian province).
BlockLocation: Position of the block within its quadrangle. Values are NE, NW, CE, CW, SE, and SW. N, S, E, and W indicate cardinal directions; C indicates the central row within the 2 × 3 block grid.
BlockCode: Full block identifier combining the quadrangle name and block location.
QuadCode: Unique numerical code associated with the quadrangle/block.
CoordRegion: Atlas coordinator region. These broader geographic regions were used to organize and coordinate atlas activities throughout the state.
CLOBockCo: Alternate or legacy block-code naming convention.
BLOBlockNa: Alternate or legacy block-name naming convention.
Species fields: Bird species are represented by four-letter alpha codes. The value recorded for each species summarizes the highest level of breeding evidence documented within that block:
Breeding observations and behaviors associated with these categories vary by species and time of year. Consult the Maine Bird Atlas protocols for the breeding codes and seasonal criteria used to determine breeding-evidence categories.