Northern goshawk © Dona Hilkey
Sq. bashes are an satisfying method for birders with any degree of expertise to contribute to the third Ontario Breeding Fowl Atlas (“Atlas-3” for brief). As 2025 is the ultimate yr of the neighborhood science venture, this yr’s occasions are your final likelihood to affix within the enjoyable and assist make the Atlas the very best instrument it may presumably be for conserving the province’s birds.
“Sq. bash” is a time period that goes again to the primary Ontario Atlas (1981–1985). The “sq.” is the ten×10 km primary protection unit of the Atlas. The “bash” entails getting a bunch of individuals collectively to make sure that under-sampled squares are adequately coated. Protection entails discovering as many species as doable breeding in every sq., watching the birds to look at proof of their breeding, and/or doing easy normal surveys known as “level counts”.
Taking part within the Atlas-3 is a problem, a congenial technique to work with and get to know different birders, a straightforward technique to find out about a part of the province that could be new to you, and an important contribution to the neighborhood science. It’s very cool determining easy methods to discover lacking species (and even higher whenever you discover them!), exploring new and thrilling websites, and dealing along with fellow birders in direction of a typical aim. Even in case you don’t discover the species you’re in search of, you’re nonetheless contributing precious knowledge.
We now have deliberate three sq. bashes for 2025. The occasions are:
- Southern Gray-Bruce Sq. Bash (Friday, Might 23 – Wednesday, Might 28, 2025)
- Silent Lake Provincial Park Sq. Bash (Friday, Might 30 – Wednesday, June 4, 2025)
- Bonnechere Provincial Park Sq. Bash (Friday, June 6 – Wednesday, June 11, 2025)
You may be a part of the complete occasion or any a part of any of the occasions. Most individuals will camp, freed from cost, however some select to remain in close by inns (at their very own expense). Individuals who reside close by might be a part of us for a part of the day. It’s as much as you.
The occasions are led by Atlas workers, who assign duties and assist make certain everybody enjoys the method. There’s a get collectively across the campfire each night once we discuss concerning the day’s highlights and plan actions for the next day: who works with whom, the place, and what the precise objectives are. In some squares, canoeing or atlassing by bike are choices – no matter it takes and is of curiosity to you!
In case you are an skilled atlasser and know birds nicely by tune, you possibly can lead a small group engaged on a sq., and if not, you possibly can work with a extra skilled atlasser.
Some Atlas regional coordinators are holding their very own native sq. bashes.
Sq. bashes, together with this yr’s, are usually in poorly recognized areas at far from main inhabitants centres, and, maybe due to that, are likely to have particularly attention-grabbing chook communities. You by no means know what you may discover. Earlier occasions have turned up rarities corresponding to Kirtland’s and golden-winged warblers, and American goshawk. However principally, taking part within the Atlas-3 is about looking for, discovering and having fun with our fantastic birds in neat locations with nice folks.
I hope you’ll be a part of us.
Mike Cadman is a retired wildlife biologist residing in Guelph. He coordinated the primary and second Ontario Breeding Fowl Atlas initiatives and the primary a part of Atlas-3.
