1. Introduction

1. Introduction

Welcome to Ontario Breeding Bird Atlas-3. This guide provides brief instructions on how to collect and submit bird observations to the Atlas. Basic directions are found below along with links to other documents and Appendices that contain further details about various aspects of the project.

The goal of the Atlas is to map the current distribution and relative abundance of all species of birds breeding within the province over a five-year data collection period: 2021-2025. The goal of each participant is to collect observations on breeding birds using standardized methods within 10x10km (10-km) atlas squares and submit that data as described below. Atlas squares are nested into 100x100km (100-km) blocks based on the Universal Transverse Mercator (UTM) grid, see Figure 1.

Figure 1. UTM Zones and 100-km Blocks across Ontario. Block designations, which were two letters long in Atlas-2, are now 3 letters long to ensure each is unique in Ontario. The insert at the top right of the figure shows how 10-km squares are numbered in each block.

The objectives of the Atlas are to:

• Determine and map the distribution and relative abundance of breeding birds of Ontario in 2021-25 and compare to previous atlas results;

• Determine population size for each species and compare with previous atlas results

• Gather data on breeding locations and abundance for significant species (e.g., species at risk);

• Expand/enhance knowledge of the breeding birds of Northern Ontario by increasing coverage of the north;

• Ensure data are available for research and conservation projects at different scales (e.g., applications regarding forestry, climate change, protected areas, land-use change, etc.); and

• Publish results and provide an electronic database freely available to the public, regulatory agencies, and industry.

In terms of scientific merit, the Atlas will:

• Allow us to track changes in bird populations over space and time;

• Provide information useful in assessing the conservation status and needs of bird species;

• Support sound environmental decisions by regulatory agencies, conservation organizations, and industry;

• Help identify species that may serve as indicators of environmental quality; and

• Highlight areas of greatest avian biodiversity.

1.1 Safety

It is important that atlassing be enjoyable, but safety comes first. Always pack a safety kit (click here) and be sure to inform people of where you will be atlassing each day. Don’t go alone if you do not feel safe or comfortable, will be working in a remote area, or expect to be off-road for much of the time. Taking along a less experienced birder can be a valuable learning experience for them and a safety precaution for both. See Appendix A for important safety information.

1.2 Who can participate

Any careful observer with an interest in birds can participate! We simply ask that people only submit records for which they are certain of identification. If in doubt, leave it out! See Appendix B for more information on how new birders can contribute to the project.

1.3 Ways to participate

There are numerous ways to participate, depending on your level of experience. Consult a Regional Coordinator (click here) and work out how you can best contribute to the project based on your skills and interests. Data can be contributed through General atlassing, Point Counts, Incidental records, and Special Surveys.

a) General atlassing

General atlassing is the primary means of contributing data to the project and involves looking for birds breeding in a square, and recording breeding evidence for each species using checklists (see section 3.2 below).

Our goal is to get adequate coverage of all of the 10-km squares in the area the Atlas defines as Southern Ontario (Figure 2) and a sampling of squares in each 100-km block in the north. Any atlasser can, and is encouraged to, contribute to any square. But we also need experienced birders to become principal atlasser for as many squares as possible, taking responsibility for ensuring that each square is adequately covered. Adequate coverage of a square requires a total of 20 or more hours of atlas data collection (over the 5 years of the project) in the peak of the breeding season (May 24-July 10 in the south; June 1-July 10 in the north) looking for breeding evidence for as many species as possible. This involves visiting all habitat types within the square, and spreading out effort to include some early- and late-season visits as well as some evening and night-time visits to find species most active outside the peak breeding season and daylight hours.

Figure 2. The Atlas coverage goal is to get at least 20 hours of atlassing in the peak breeding season in all squares in Southern Ontario; in 5% of squares in the road-accessible North; and 2% of squares in the Far North.

b) Point counts

A point count is a survey that involves counting all birds seen and/or heard at a designated location during a five-minute period. Point counts are vital to the Atlas, being the primary means by which we are able to map relative abundance of each species and compare it to that from Atlas-2.

There are two ways of doing point counts in Atlas-3. The first is the “Standard Point Count”, in which surveyors must be able to identify local birds by sight and song/call. The second, the “Recorded Point Count”, is new to Atlas-3 and involves using a hand-held or autonomous recording device to record the bird song at a point for a 5-minute period. The recordings are then uploaded to the Internet and “interpreted” by experts. You don’t need to be able to identify birds by song to do Recorded Point Counts, which makes them a great opportunity for less-experienced birders who want to participate, especially in areas with few people able to do Standard Point Counts. Skilled birders who know their songs and calls well, can also help with interpreting recording point counts - a great way to contribute to the atlas in the off-season! The atlas target is 25 point counts in a square with a mixture of roadside and offroad points. See the Instructions for Point Counts (Coming Soon) document for details of how to do Standard or Recorded Point Counts, and information on priority squares for point count coverage.

c) Incidental records

As well as atlassing in any square, atlassers are encouraged to submit Incidental records of breeding evidence for birds from anywhere in the province. Incidental records are those you find while doing something other than atlassing. For example, you might notice, while you are driving somewhere, a pair of Red-tailed Hawks sitting side by side in a tree in early spring. You can enter that single record (P for “pair”) as an Incidental observation. Typically these are observations of notable or less common species, or of higher levels of breeding evidence. Incidental records are submitted on checklists via the app or the website (see section 4 below).

d) Special surveys: Owls, nightjars and marshbirds

We have developed 6 special surveys for these groups of birds to improve on the coverage provided by general atlassing. These involve a standardized protocol, and most include using playback (broadcasting the bird’s song at high volume) to elicit responses. See the Special Surveys webpage for more information.

1.4 Surveying public and private property

Always get permission from the landowner to access private property. In most cases, a brief explanation of the project and your activities will garner permission. Encourage landowners to contact the Regional Coordinator or the Atlas Office if they would like further information about the project. Some of the best hours to survey for birds occur during the first couple of hours of daylight, so access should be arranged before the day(s) of your visit.

Follow all rules and regulations on public land. Keep vehicles on established roads, and camp only as permitted. Not all areas are open to the general public, and special arrangements may be needed to gain access through locked gates. See Appendix C for guidelines on surveying private and public property.

1.5 Northern atlassing

We will be making a huge effort to ensure that Northern Ontario (Regions 34-44) is adequately covered during the Atlas. Because we can’t cover every square, we will be identifying specific squares as a priority for coverage, and showing those on the “Coverage Map”. But coverage can be provided for any square, whether or not it is shown as a priority. We will also be helping to organize trips to ensure that all 100-km blocks in the north are covered, including the most remote parts of the province. For more information on atlassing in the north, see the Northern Atlassing Manual (Coming Soon), and watch the website and Atlas newsletter for updates.

1.6 Atlassing in National and Provincial Parks and Conservation Areas

Discussions are underway (December 2020) with these various organizations about special arrangements for atlassers accessing and/or camping in parks and conservation areas. See Appendix D for more information on this.