Monthly Challenge

Challenge time! Owls are fascinating but they represent a special challenge to monitor; they are secretive, they breed early in the year, and they often roost in concealed locations. For this month’s challenge, complete at least one Eastern Screech-Owl Atlas Survey or one Northern Hawk Owl Atlas Survey. Each survey submitted before March 31st will give you a chance to win a lens cleaning kit (which we all might need about now!), while providing valuable data on the distribution and abundance of these owls. View the protocols and watch a recent Sappy Hour on completing the owl surveys. Contact your RC prior to completing the survey to discuss survey location!

Are you dreaming of warmer weather and the return of more feathered friends? Missing the thrill of finding a significant species? By Feb 28th, make sure you have submitted at least 1 checklist including a ‘pin’ (GPS CoordinateS) of a significant species. Each additional checklist increases the chance of winning Chris Earley’s field guides! All checklists submitted from the beginning of Atlas-3, up until Feb 28th are eligible. View https://youtu.be/RtyBEnZB7YM to learn how to document and pin a location for significant species.

Challenge time – lightning round! Winter is a great opportunity to learn identification – of nests! With less leaves on the trees, many old nests are more visible which provides a chance to study them up close. By January 31st, submit 5 checklists using the NU breeding code for a chance to win the shiny new Peterson Field Guide to North American Bird Nests! Visit https://youtu.be/rHi9z8_rAJY and BirdsOntario.org/breeding-codes/ to learn more about nest searching and breeding evidence codes.

Reading a book while wrapped in a blanket is becoming more tempting as the nights get colder. This month, submit 5 checklists recorded at night for a chance to win a copy of the Atlas 1 & 2 books. No special protocol is needed. Take some time to get familiar with the sounds of the night, and see what you can hear! Submit all checklists by December 31, 2021. Happy h-owl-idays!

Sit quietly and immerse yourself in the sounds of northern Ontario’s boreal forest while practicing your song ID skills for the next atlassing season. Which species can you hear? Identify at least 5 different species of birds present in this 3-minute recording from Fushimi Lake Provincial Park in Atlas region 42. Send us the list by November 30th for a chance to win artwork by Kingsville-based wildlife artist Leon Barlow (5 cards and 1 print). If you enjoy this challenge, consider atlassing in northern Ontario during the next breeding season to collect valuable data to help us learn more about breeding boreal birds! Submit entries here: https://tinyurl.com/9jxtrnsc

Challenge time! With trees changing their appearance outside, we invite you to share a story of ‘birds in disguise’; an accidental misidentification, a perfectly placed sunbeam on plumage disguising it as a mega rarity, a Field Sparrow singing a Hooded Warbler song? Submit your story and/or photo using the submission form by October 31, 2021, for a chance to win a winter roost box. We’re starting to bundle up with the cooler weather, and birds could use a safe, warm space to roost too. Good luck!

As the breeding season comes to a close and fall migration continues, we want to hear from you! Share a story of your best Atlas adventure so far by September 30. Submit using the submission form, and feel free to share on social media, for a chance to win Birds And Beans Coffee and a mug, so you can be sure that your coffee grounds are helping protect habitat on the overwintering grounds.

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.