My last two posts have focused, at some length I’m sorry to say, on the trickier aspects of data collection at block boundaries. Today, I want to address a related issue, but one that is much simpler to resolve. Continue reading “Block boundary problems – part 3”
Block boundary problems – part 2
Yesterday, I wrote about the problem of birds moving across block boundaries, and how that can complicate the assignment of breeding codes. A related problem involves accurately identifying the block that a given observation falls in, and arises when a birding site lies on the boundary between blocks. Continue reading “Block boundary problems – part 2”
Block boundary problems – part 1
Earlier this week, I spent quite a bit of time at Hammonasset State Park. Because I had some time to kill, I went to Hammonasset Point – the area just south of Rock Pond, at the start of the Moraine Trail, which sits in a separate atlas block from the rest of park. My goal was to see what I could find that was nesting right in the tiny piece of land that is in block 120B. Continue reading “Block boundary problems – part 1”
Download the Summer Bird Count circle map
Last week, I wrote about the ways in which people conducting Summer Bird Counts this month can also contribute data to the atlas project. To provide additional help to determine how blocks relate to count circles, we have produced a downloadable Google Earth (.kml) file, which shows the SBC circles. If you have Google Earth on your phone and have already downloaded the data layer showing the block boundaries, you can add this layer to see how they overlap. Continue reading “Download the Summer Bird Count circle map”
Interactive map updates
Although we are still early in the data collection phase of the atlas project, we are starting to plan for the long-term presentation of data. Eventually, we will provide information about the birds present in each block via the interactive map that many volunteers used to sign up for a block. Continue reading “Interactive map updates”
Drumming, cowbirds, eggshells: what breeding code should you use?
This week, we’ve received a number of questions about the use of breeding codes, so I thought it would be helpful to compile some answers here in one place. (Note that detailed definitions of all codes are posted here.) Continue reading “Drumming, cowbirds, eggshells: what breeding code should you use?”
Summer Bird Counts and the atlas project
Connecticut birding has a long history of citizen science, of which the Connecticut Bird Atlas is only the most recent incarnation. Summer Bird Counts (SBCs) – the mid-year equivalent of Christmas Bird Counts – have been run in the state for nearly three decades and aim to count birds within several 15-mile diameter circles scattered across the state to help track population changes. Continue reading “Summer Bird Counts and the atlas project”
Cuckoos carrying food
As we’ve noted before, the CF (carrying food for young) breeding code is problematic for species that regularly carry food for their own consumption. This code is designed specifically for cases where birds are presumed to be carrying food to their dependent young and it can be hard to determine whether that is the case sometimes. Many species can be seen with food in their beaks temporarily. But if they are going to eat it, they usually do so right away. Careful observation for a minute or two will usually ensure that the code is not misused. Continue reading “Cuckoos carrying food”