MANITOULIN—In its third year, Ontario Breeding Bird Atlas (OBBA) organizers are hoping to entice a few new bird lovers to take part in the project.
“This is such a powerful project, data from 1,500-2,000 people is the goal,” said Anna Sheppard, a region 33 (Manitoulin) co-ordinator for the OBBA. “That is why we are hoping to get more birders out to provide more data for Manitoulin.”
“We are entering the third year of the OBBA and there is still lots of birding to do on the Island,” said Ms. Sheppard. She said in terms of breeding bird atlas numbers for Manitoulin Island, “we haven’t had as much participation as we had hoped for in the first two years. People may be a little afraid of the atlas, and it is possible they are sending in data to eBird Canada instead of Nature Counts.”
Ms. Sheppard pointed out there will be a year-three atlas kickoff taking place in Kagawong on Saturday, May 13.
“The core breeding bird atlas (data collection) officially takes place from the last week in May until the second week of July when the birds are breeding,” said Ms. Sheppard. “Most breeding birds are present starting the last week in May until the second week of July. But there are some birds that will be seen before that. Ravens will be in their nest, as will bald eagles, crossbills and Canada jays.
Participants are to identify various species that they see, the location it was seen, date and time of day. If you hear them singing or if you see a bird carrying food to a nest, or they are acting defensive you know they still are in the breeding cycle.
While the atlas never actually rejects the entering of data on bird sightings at any time, about the middle of July is unofficially the end of the breeding season for most birds, so in turn the birds will not be as readily evident.
“We’ve organized the casual get together locally to kick off the third year of the OBBA,” said Ms. Sheppard. “Everyone is welcome to this event, whether you are already an atlas participant, or a birder who would like to know more about the atlas, or new to birding and would like to meet other birders.”
The kickoff will take place Saturday, May 13 from 10 am to 12 noon in Kagawong at the picnic shelter on Old Mill Road across from the beach. From 10 am to 11 am there will be an introduction and overview of the atlas and its purpose, information on region 33’s accomplishments to date and areas that need help, easy ways birders of all levels can contribute to the project, tools for atlassing, including downloading maps, the Nature Counts app, Avenza App and Zoom recording devices.
During the event participants will look for birds along Old Mill Road and Kagawong River Trail while learning how to submit observations using Nature Counts and how to use the Zoom devices for recording.
To confirm your attendance or if you have questions, contact Ms. Sheppard at manitoulinn@birdsontario.org
