What is Blockboard?

Blockboard tracks progress for the California Bird Atlas (CBA). The dashboard combines CBA field observations with eBird's Status and Trends species models to generate a list of species for each block. By comparing the model-predicted species against the documented species, atlasers can quickly identify potential holes in local breeding evidence.

How to use it

• Click a block on the map to explore its species list and effort.
• Or use the search bar (top-left of map) to jump to any California address or place and the nearest block will be automatically selected.
• Use the map symbology dropdown on the left to color blocks by effort, confirmed species, model-predicted species, and more.

What are `Model-predicted species` and `Model-predicted encounter probability`?

The Blockboard lists species predicted to occur in each block based on eBird's seasonal Status and Trends (S&T) occurrence models. Species are sorted by their model-predicted encounter probability during their S&T-designated breeding season (see here for more information on how S&T defines a species' breeding season). Any species with an estimated encounter probability greater than zero is included. Encounter probability represents the maximum estimated chance that an expert eBirder would detect a species on a hypothetical 1-hour, 2 km traveling checklist completed in the block at the best time of day over the duration of the breeding season. Estimated occurrence probabilities vary over the course of the breeding season, so the listed maximum probability is not necessarily the expected probability on a particular day. Due to a range of factors, not all species predicted to occur in a block during their designated breeding season actually breed locally. This is one reason an on-the-ground Atlas is important! Species observed by eBirders but not predicted to occur during the breeding season by the model are still listed if they have been assigned Possible/Probable/Confirmed breeding codes. To also display species observed without breeding evidence, enable the 'Show all Observed' option.