Ornithological Society of New Zealand: Current Atlas scheme information

The Ornithological Society of NZ, Inc. (OSNZ) launched the most comprehensive survey of New Zealand’s avifauna in August 2007. With some 530 pages and more than 2100 maps (A4, Colour, case bound, delivered individually boxed) covering over 200 of New Zealand’s endemic, native, migratory and introduced birds, this work is the result of 5 years of extensive surveying (from 1 December 1999 to 30 November 2004) by more than 850 people/teams throughout the country. Conservatively valued at more than $10 million worth of voluntary effort, it emphasises the importance of nationally co-ordinated environmental monitoring and recording, by a largely amateur organisation.

The OSNZ published its first Atlas of NZ bird distribution in 1985 (covering the years 1969-1979), and these earlier distribution maps are reproduced alongside the new maps to visibly demonstrate changes in the bird distribution throughout the country over some 35 years. Seasonal and breeding data maps are provided for each of the birds and there is a full section devoted to habitat use. The latest mapping techniques also explore the national biodiversity for birds to demonstrate a statistical snapshot of the hotspot areas around New Zealand which require consideration for conservation management and protection. It is also a good guide to where to find the birds that interest you.

Have there been changes over 30 years? Of 137 species mapped in 1985 the new atlas shows that 45 have increased and 33 have reduced their distribution. Regrettably, but not surprisingly, the majority of the reductions (25) are among the endemic birds. The increases have been quite evenly spread among endemic (15), native (12), introduced (17) and migrant (1). The mapping techniques used show that even among plentifully distributed birds, there are signs of localised reduction in visibility. Supported by BirdLife International this atlas provides an invaluable record which documents the birds of New Zealand over a period of 35 years, and is a nationwide resource unparalleled for any other part of the New Zealand flora and fauna.

	Atlas of Bird Distribution in New Zealand 1999-2004
OSNZ@xtra.co.nz	HOME	ATLAS	NZRBN

Latest OSNZ Atlas Project now completed
The Ornithological Society of NZ, Inc. (OSNZ) launched the most comprehensive survey of New Zealand’s avifauna in August 2007. With some 530 pages and more than 2100 maps (A4, Colour, case bound, delivered individually boxed) covering over 200 of New Zealand’s endemic, native, migratory and introduced birds, this work is the result of 5 years of extensive surveying (from 1 December 1999 to 30 November 2004) by more than 850 people/teams throughout the country. Conservatively valued at more than $10 million worth of voluntary effort, it emphasises the importance of nationally co-ordinated environmental monitoring and recording, by a largely amateur organisation. The OSNZ published its first Atlas of NZ bird distribution in 1985 (covering the years 1969-1979), and these earlier distribution maps are reproduced alongside the new maps to visibly demonstrate changes in the bird distribution throughout the country over some 35 years. Seasonal and breeding data maps are provided for each of the birds and there is a full section devoted to habitat use. The latest mapping techniques also explore the national biodiversity for birds to demonstrate a statistical snapshot of the hotspot areas around New Zealand which require consideration for conservation management and protection. It is also a good guide to where to find the birds that interest you. Have there been changes over 30 years? Of 137 species mapped in 1985 the new atlas shows that 45 have increased and 33 have reduced their distribution. Regrettably, but not surprisingly, the majority of the reductions (25) are among the endemic birds. The increases have been quite evenly spread among endemic (15), native (12), introduced (17) and migrant (1). The mapping techniques used show that even among plentifully distributed birds, there are signs of localised reduction in visibility. Supported by BirdLife International this atlas provides an invaluable record which documents the birds of New Zealand over a period of 35 years, and is a nationwide resource unparalleled for any other part of the New Zealand flora and fauna.
This published atlas (August 2007) is the first of separate products which will make available the results of the 1999-2004 field surveys to interested users - see the 'Ordering Publications' page on the OSNZs website for purchasing details.

COMING IN 2008
WEBATLAS Scheduled for May 2008 is the release of BIRD DISTRIBUTION IN NEW ZEALAND 1999-2004 – WEBATLAS, which will be available at www:bird.org.nz This WEBATLAS will make available a single-page map of each of the taxa in the published atlas and include on each page an illustration of the taxa from The Field Guide to the Birds of New Zealand. It will be an important addition to resources on birds available to educational groups. ONLINE DATABASE Scheduled for June 2008 will be a simple online database of the 1999-2004 dataset which will enable a registered user to access taxa records for each of the 10km grid squares in the atlas dataset. This dataset will be available at www.bird.org.nz 1969-1979 DATABASE The OSNZ is currently recreating the dataset (1969-1979) used for 1985 published atlas, and it is intended that when fully checked this comparative material will be available late in 2008. This new dataset will have the grid-references converted from the then yards to the present metres of the national map grid to allow comparison with the 1999-2004 dataset.