Golden Pileated Award

In 2013, the PSO’s directors recognized the need to create a new award for those who complete large-scale projects showing outstanding ornithological achievements.

This award will be given for major projects in Pennsylvania that significantly advance the state of ornithological knowledge. Projects and research considered for this award must have high regional ornithological, conservation, and research value. Candidate projects may be conducted over multiple years, state-wide, utilizing many researchers and/or volunteers. The Pennsylvania Society for Ornithology gives this award infrequently, only to outstanding projects which merit its highest award.

It usually consists of a plaque, but artwork or a cash stipend might also be appropriate (at the Board’s discretion).

The place and date of the presentation of any special award is at the Board’s discretion.

2013

This year we are presenting the Golden Pileated Award to the three editors of the 2nd Pennsylvania Breeding Bird Atlas, Dan Brauning, Bob Mulvihill, and Andy Wilson, for their phenomenal work. Planning for the 2nd breeding bird atlas started in 2002, and the statewide effort began in 2004 and ended in 2008.

This effort could not have been successful without the huge number of volunteers, with 1800 people contributing data and 83 individuals serving as regional coordinators. In addition, seasonal staff conducted a rigorous point count sampling protocol in nearly every block in the state (4,694) for estimating detection probabilities, breeding bird densities, and overall population estimates.

The results of the five-year effort were published in 2012 and set a new bar for all future atlases, world-wide. Currently, the 2nd Pennsylvania Breeding Bird Atlas is likely the best example of a breeding bird atlas anywhere in the world. The research and conservation value of this project is unparalleled. This award recognizes this major accomplishment with PSO’s highest award.