Distraction Displays: Mass Breeding Bird Atlas 2

Greenfield 09 Cliff Swallow

From the Department of Punctual Returns

Greenfield 09 is a humble block, situated in the heart of the Connecticut River Valley not too far from Deerfield, MA.  With an impressive count of species (92 at last reckoning), this unassuming rural block clearly offers a lot to the dedicated Atlaser.  Many of these species are the ones we confirm in most every block - Gray Catbird, American Robin, Red-winged Blackbird - but there were also a bevy of rarer species.  Whip-poor-will, Brown Thrasher, and Eastern Meadowlark may be repaidly declining birds, but they can still be found out in Greenfield 09.  Another cool surprise found in the block was the mud nest of a Cliff Swallow, with one of the parents peeking coyly out from the entrance.  Follow the cut to see the picture taken by Atlaser Sara Griesemer.

Martin Nest

From the Department of Purple Martins' Majesty

No Tuesday Tune-Up this week (everyone is off Atlasing!), but here are some adorable photos to satiate your need for exciting breeding bird news.  Mary Keleher's Purple Martin colonies are prospering, and she was kind enough to share some photos of the latest generation of Massachusetts' rarest breeding swallow.  These little guys are fresh out of the egg, and some of their siblings haven't even hatched yet.  Check out a close-up of the nestlings in their willow-lined haven under the cut!

BBA2 Newsletter: June 23, 2011

Atlas Newslettered

What is better than a fresh newsletter - nothing!

Download BBA2 Newsletter June 23, 2011

Maryland's Only Known Goshawks Killed

From the Department of Homeland Security

Someone shot and killed the adult female, likely causing the death of all the young, in the only known Goshawk nest in Maryland.

Read about it here. 

This is one of the reasons we mask all records of breeding hawks - so if you have reported a kestrel or goshawk, and don't see them on your list, now you know why.

Bummer.
 

Tuesday Tune-Up #6: The Dendroica Warblers

"And every warbler has his tune by heart." - William Cowper, British poet

The amazing methods by which each species of songbird internalizes and delivers its own unique song allow humans like ourselves to differentiate between them.  Some of the most challenging birds to differentiate in the field are those whose songs, while consistent within certain limits, nonetheless are subject to considerable variation between individuals.  Four of the common breeding warblers of the genus Dendroica provide a useful case in point.  Each bird has a "prototypical" song pattern which can be recognized fairly easily, but the true challenge comes when listening to a new variation on the same old song.

Springfield South - 04: Atlas Post-tornado

From The Department of Public Works

 
Mark Lynch went back out to his Springfields South 4 block to have a look post-tornado. Enclosed is his report.

"Sunday, we finally went to see what kind of shape our atlas block SPRINGFIELD SOUTH 4 was in. This is in Springfield proper, not WEST Springfield (west side of the Connecticut River) where all the news coverage had been of tornado damage, so we were hoping for the best. Pre-tornado, there was very little habitat left in this block to begin with: some strips of woods along a small river amidst an urban neighborhood (with no trails or access); a cemetery next to a small pond with a woodlot and finally a golf course. That was it."

 

British Columbia Needs Some Help - (and not just with hockey)

From The Department of "Eh"

So, now that you are all trained atlasers, the province of British Columbia would like a little help, please.

See below for a killer opportunity to Atlas BC.

 

 

10 June 2011 – If you can get to British Columbia, the BC Breeding Bird Atlas has some exciting ideas for your summer holidays! One is an offer from Canadian Mountain Holidays to take you heli-hiking in the spectacular Rocky Mountain Trench for free! All you have to do is get to the base camp near Golden, BC and agree to do point counts and general bird atlassing while hiking along magnificent alpine ridges. If space is available, you may even get a free stay in one of Canadian Mountain Holidays' lodges. And that's not all we're offering… If you'd rather escape to a remote northern BC lake for some birding, we could send you off on a free float plane adventure for a week or two. All we ask is that you do some serious atlassing in return. We also have funds available to help cover your expenses while birding almost anywhere in British Columbia as long as you're atlassing. These offers are valid for June and the first half of July; for more information, contact Dick Cannings at dcannings@birdscanada.org.

Killdeer at Day Care Center in Waltham

From the Department of Early Childhood Education

Getting people to care about all birds is difficult. But it seems they are naturally passionate about birds they "own", like this Killdeer on a nest along a parking lot at a Waltham day care center.

Click for a full-sized image - from Thomas Dodd.

Chester 03 - The Jewel of the Pioneer Valley

From The Department of Parulas and Minor Miracles

Chester 03, my new home for June 12 and 13, 2011. Hampden County -  unexplored, sparsely populated, and rich in historical and natural wonders. Chester fit right in with my other atlas rambles in Tolland Center and Sandisfield.

The SW corner of Massachusetts is a gem - the pike swings north out there, and there is 30 miles between the Westfield and Lee exits, so it doesn't have the "exit sprawl" you see along major highways. There is little development, and lots of public land.

My best bird was a singing Parula - we'll see if that stays - it was right on Rt. 20, about 1/4 mile west of Sanderson Brook State Park. There is a store with a parking lot (for rent sign on the building, unoccupied) across from a stand of tall spruce (?) trees. He was singing all afternoon on June 13.  

Chester 03...Red-eyed Vireo ON

From The Department of State: Atlasers Afield