2. Getting Started
2. Getting Started
2.1 Visit the Atlas website and register
The website (www.birdsontario.org) is your portal to the Atlas. The Atlas website and the data entry and management systems are run through NatureCounts, which is operated by Birds Canada. On the website you can register as an atlasser, find your Regional Coordinator, information and materials, and submit data; you must be registered in order to submit data. Take time to explore all the different tools and maps at your disposal.
2.2 Regional Coordinators
Ontario has been divided into 47 regions (Figure 3) that are coordinated by volunteer Regional Coordinators (RCs); see the website for a map and contact information.
Your RC can:
Explain more about the project and suggest ways in which you can contribute, given your skill set and available time;
Direct you to squares which have not been assigned, or in which additional help is needed;
Advise you of upcoming atlassing or bird identification workshops;
Put inexperienced birders in touch with mentors who can help with atlassing/birding skills; and
Assign special surveys, such as owls, nightjars or marshbirds (see the webpage).
Figure 3. Atlas regions. A more detailed version of this map, allowing you to view squares as well as regions, is available here.
2.3 Atlasser Materials
You can download Atlasser materials from the website or use the NatureCounts app (see section 3.3 below). The app allows you to enter checklist and point count data. See Appendix E for more information on how to download and use the app.
The materials you can download from the website (click here) have all the information needed to participate in the project:
Instructions for General Atlassing (this guide).
Square Maps (NOTE: Until Atlas-3 maps are ready, we will be using Atlas-2 maps. Atlas-3 maps will be provided before April 2020.) Atlas square maps (10-km squares) display topographic and some habitat information and road-side point count locations (Atlas-2 maps). Square maps for every atlas square are viewable and printable from the website. Each square has a unique identification code based on the UTM zone, block code, and square number, which is displayed on each map. We recommend that you print off a copy of the map for any square you will be spending much time in. You can also download a copy of the map to your mobile device. Instructions for downloading a copy of a square map and using it to navigate are provided in Appendix F.
Region Maps show all Atlas squares in a region.
Square Summary Sheets (click here) are regularly updated on the website as data are submitted and provide information about the list of anticipated species for the square and region, the species reported in Atlas-2, the highest Breeding Evidence observed for each species, and the number of accumulated hours spent atlassing in the square. They will also provide information on which habitats require off-road point counts in that square. Check online for updates regularly, but note that summary sheets can only be updated once data have been submitted!
Atlas Checklist Forms (on the instructions and forms page) are the primary data collection form used for the Atlas.
Rare/Colonial Species Forms (on the instructions and forms page) are to be filled out for detections of rare species or when a breeding colony of a colonial species is found.
Point Count Forms (Coming Soon) are used by atlassers when conducting point counts.
Coding Sheets contain relevant codes used for the Atlas and include breeding evidence and 4-letter species codes (Coming Soon).
Atlasser Dashboard Sign (in Appendix C) to serve notice about your activities and why a vehicle is parked.
For data collection, atlassers can use the NatureCounts app on their mobile phones, or use their notebook or data forms and enter the data into the NatureCounts website themselves. They will also need a map of the 10-km square (Atlas-2 maps); a pencil and eraser, binoculars, bird field guide(s) or bird ID apps, and insect repellent with them in the field. A compass, GPS unit, or a navigation app for your phone, can also help with navigation. The map on the NatureCounts app is also helpful for navigation.
2.4 Breeding evidence codes
One of the main objectives of an atlasser is to obtain the strongest evidence of breeding for as many species as possible within your square(s). It is best to familiarize yourself with these codes before heading out into the field and always bring the app, coding sheet or notebook along when atlassing!
There are four levels of evidence:
1. Observed (no indication of breeding)
2. Possible breeding
3. Probable breeding
4. Confirmed breeding
If you observe birds that you are sure are migrants passing through the square, do not assign them a breeding evidence code. Leave the breeding evidence column blank.
See Table 1 for details on behavioral evidence required for each of these levels; Appendix G provides more details and outlines unlikely species-breeding code combinations or situations that require caution. The NatureCounts app and web data entry provide information on the likelihood or acceptability of breeding codes for each species and will flag unlikely or unacceptable breeding codes if you enter them.
You should attempt to obtain probable or confirmed breeding evidence for as many species as possible, especially those that are expected to breed within your region.
Breeding Evidence should be reported only during the breeding season of each species. We have developed a table of “Safe Dates” during which it is safe to report breeding evidence (Appendix H) for each species. Outside of these dates, the species is unlikely to be breeding or migrants of the species are likely to be present which may not stay to breed. If you do find evidence of breeding outside of safe dates, you can report it, but details should be included.
Table 1. Breeding evidence levels, categories and codes.
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