When accessed from the ? icon, the Help screens display in a separate window from the main part of the Atlas. If the window does not appear, it may be behind the Atlas window. When you first bring up the a help window, try positioning the help window so it overlaps only part of the Atlas window.


The bar at the top of the screen helps you navigate through the CD. Each icon provides access to a different part of the CD.

The Help icon on the upper left is a key to understanding the atlas. Use it frequently as you are becoming familiar with different parts of the atlas. It explains the background of each screen and the meanings of colors on different maps.

Clicking on the icon for "Intro" takes you to the introduction, background, and table of contents for the atlas project. It gives you an overview of what to find in this CD and shows the organization of the help screens. The "Intro" section includes definitions of the terms used throughout this CD.

The CD organizes and presents information about birds as drawn from the Oregon Breeding Bird Atlas project (1995-1999), the Breeding Bird Survey (1968-1999), and the Lane County Breeding Bird Atlas project (1983-1986).

The Oregon Breeding Bird Atlas project is the majority of this CD. Our presentation is structured around three themes: Species, Hexagons, and Habitat -- and their interrelationships.

The Species theme presents a snapshot of each of 275 species of birds, giving a description of the breeding status of the bird, a list of observations reported to the atlas project, maps showing the distribution of the observations, maps showing the coarse distribution of habitat possibly suitable for the species, and a graphic plot of dates of breeding activity.

The Hexagon theme provides access to an enlarged map of each hexagon showing locations of major roads, streams, selected geographic features, and roads covered by project participants, as well as a list of species found there by the atlas project.

The Habitat theme includes a map of the statewide distribution of each of 63 habitat types, one or more photographs of the habitat, a description of the plant communities found in the habitat, and a list of bird species associated with the habitat.

The Breeding Bird Survey provides maps and data showing the results of Breeding Bird Survey routes conducted in Oregon. This section covers all of the surveys run in Oregon, dating back from the late 1960's through the 1999 season.

The Lane County Atlas section provides maps and data showing the results of the Lane County Breeding Bird Atlas, conducted 1983 - 1986.

Clicking on the "Methods" icon takes you to the section that explains how the atlas was put together. It explains the hexagons and squares as survey units, the meaning of confirmed observations, the species that are included, and the breeding codes that categorize the observations.


The "Results" icon takes you to the section that summarizes results from the atlas.


The "Environ" icon takes you to supporting environmental data, such as rainfall and temperature.


Clicking on the "Thanks" icon takes you to a list of all persons whose reports contributed to the project, as well as those who assisted in other ways.


Clicking on "The Future" section takes you to a summary of important data gaps, and suggestions for ways to continue contributing your observations of breeding birds.