Monthly Challenge

Challenge time! Many bird species will be preparing to make their long, dangerous journey back to their overwintering grounds soon. This includes many juvenile birds that were born during the Peak Period of the season! For this month’s challenge, be sure to enter all of your Atlas data by the end of August! Participants who have submitted at least 50 hours of Atlas data collected during the Peak Period (May 24 – July 10 in the South, and June 1 – July 10 in the North) will have a chance to win a pack of Feather Friendly Window Collision Tape to reduce the impact of window collisions on migratory birds.

This July, why not enjoy a quiet summer evening under the stars while listening for the unique sound of nightjars? Complete a Nightjar survey before July 15th and enter your results in NatureCounts before July 31st for a chance to win a tote bag to carry all of your birding gear!

For the June challenge, submit 10 complete checklists with breeding evidence for at least 20 species by the end of June to have a chance to be one of TWO winners to receive a copy of the ‘Best Places to Bird in Ontario’. Learn about documenting breeding evidence in Appendix G

May is here, and that means the return of warbler neck! Give your neck a reprieve from carrying your binoculars, by winning this month’s challenge – a Vortex binocular harness strap. Submit ten complete checklists by the end of May, with coordinates for at least one species for a chance to win. Learn how to submit data here: https://www.birdsontario.org/instructions/

Challenge time! April showers makes for a great opportunity to study indoors, which is why this month’s prize of Chris Earley’s guides to warblers and sparrows/finches are up for grabs! Registered Atlassers can submit 1 checklist by the end of April, which includes a significant species with proper documentation for a chance to win these guides. Find out which species are significant, by looking at the square summary sheets for your square(s). Learn more here: https://www.birdsontario.org/wp-content/uploads/Appendix-K-Significant-Species.pdf

The challenge for March 2021 is to submit checklists that include the breeding evidence code ‘T’ (Presumed Territory) or higher for any species from the safety of your backyard or neighbourhood. You’ll find the breeding evidence codes here. This month’s prize will be a Chickadee/Wren nesting box! The winner will be randomly drawn on April 1 from among those who have both registered for the Atlas and submitted checklists before the end of March! Good luck!

The challenge for February 2021 is a fun opportunity for you to test your atlassing knowledge by completing a short multiple choice quiz. This month’s prize will be a seventh edition Peterson Field Guide to Birds of Eastern and Central North America. The winner will be randomly drawn on Monday March 1 from among those who have both registered for the Atlas and completed the quiz before the end of February, and the prize will be sent out right away! Have fun and good luck!

The challenge for January 2021 is an easy one. All you have to do to become eligible for the prize is to register as an Atlas participant. The month’s prize will be two autographed photographic field guides by Chris Earley: Hawks & Owls of Eastern North America, and Waterfowl of Eastern North America. The winner will be drawn randomly on Monday February 1 from among those who have registered for the project before the end of January, and the prize will be sent out right away.