Maine Bird Atlas - Weekly Challenges, 4/17

[Doug Hitchcox]

Hi everyone:

Last week’s results:
For a tougher round of challenges but the results are impressive! Most impressive was 95% of checklists going into the correct portal. Only one singing saw-whet was reported so keep your ears open at night. Six confirmed pigeons, most from new blocks! And 10 new blocks with Common Raven records. Keep it up! Congrats to Bill from Woodland, Celeste from Bar Harbor, and Trudy from Bar Mills for being chosen by excel’s random number generator as winners this week!

Here are the challenges for this week:

1) Northern Cardinal - Look for confirmed codes, especially nest building. The pair in my yard abandoned their nest after the last snow storm but are restarting nearby. Only females build the nest, so keep on eye on the ladies and watch for them carrying nesting material.

2) Killdeer - We are now in the safe dates for Killdeer so all codes apply. This species seems to be under represented given how widespread they are, so your challenge is to find new records in new blocks. We currently have 56 possible, 33 probable, and 71 confirmed. Go find them at ball fields, agricultural fields, gravel edges of parking lots, etc. Here is their map for inspiration of new blocks to visit: https://ebird.org/atlasme/map/killde

3) Special Species - Sign up for a marsh to survey or route for nocturnal/crepuscular birds. Learn more here: https://www.maine.gov/ifw/fish-wildlife/maine-bird-atlas/special-species.html

Good birding and happy atlasing!


Doug Hitchcox
Maine Bird Atlas - Outreach Coordinator
Maine Audubon - Staff Naturalist
207-781-2330 x237
dhit...@maineaudubon.org