September 2010
Hello Loudoun County Atlasers,
Congratulations on getting through our second breeding season! Two down…three to go! There are still a few species within safe dates (Turkey, Bobwhite, Barn Owl, etc.), but the majority of species have finished nesting. Now we can look forward to cooler weather and focus on the migrants coming through our area. Wouldn’t it be great to add a Mourning or Tennessee Warbler to your block list? Or how about a Lincoln’s Sparrow or Sora? You’ll never know what birds are waiting to be discovered unless you go out and look!
August Highlights
1. Blackburnian, Chestnut-sided, Magnolia, and Kentucky Warblers observed at the Blue Ridge Center during the Loudoun Wildlife-sponsored monthly walk.
2. Peregrine Falcon, Northern Harrier, Osprey, Bald Eagle, Broad Wing Hawk, and several other raptor species documented at the Snicker’s Gap Hawkwatch along the Loudoun-Clarke County line.
3. Common Nighthawk and Great Egret observed in the Taylorstown area.
Tips
1. Remember to continue atlasing throughout the fall and winter – this is a year-round project designed to collect information on both breeding and non-breeding birds in Loudoun. We ask that you atlas your assigned block once a month (though we encourage you to atlas more if possible).
2. To save time when filling in the front of your field cards, consider sticking on pre-printed address labels. I often receive free address labels in the mail from different organizations and many of you probably do, too.
Odds and Ends
1. Tidying up the Atlas Database: Please check your “My Atlas View” screen (the screen that pops up after you log in) for any open field cards. The “Report” columns will let you know if a card is open or needs to be completed. Please look over any open cards and either finalize them or let me know if they can be deleted.
2. Species of the Month: Similiar to last year, I’ll feature a “Species of the Month” for the fall and winter atlas emails. Please let me know if there is a particular species you would like to learn more about or if you have any suggestions, questions, or stories you would like to share with the other atlasers.
Atlas Progress
53 enthusiastic atlasers have spent 1,800 hours in the field documenting 20,435 sightings. You have recorded 214 species, with 98 of these species having a confirmed nesting status. Field cards have been reported for 37 blocks.
Happy Atlasing,
Spring
Spring Ligi
Loudoun County Bird Atlas Coordinator
sligi@loudounwildlife.org