The NSW Bird Atlassers (NSWBA) was established in 1982 as an independent, volunteer-based, non-profit group with the joint aims of monitoring the distribution of birds in New South Wales and the Australian Capital Territory, preserving habitats, providing a proper basis for environmental impact studies and for other ornithological reference purposes.
The region covered by the NSWBA is NSW (including Lord Howe Island and the Tasman Sea from the NSW coast to 200km offshore, the ACT, and Elizabeth and Middleton Reef Marine National Nature Reserve). There is a paucity of published information about bird distribution (especially geographic forms) as well as seasonal occurrence, habitat preferences, and present and historical status. The NSWBA seeks to provide a better understanding of these important aspects of our birdlife.