Hello Everyone!

I have really enjoyed reading all of the interesting reports to Ohio-Birds
about recent atlasing discoveries and observations.  It is encouraging to
see how much atlasing activity is actually taking place out there.  The data
entry website ( http://bird.atlasing.org/Atlas/OH/Main/) has been
instrumental in providing the means to track atlasing progress across the
state.  For example, there were around 45,000 observations that had been
logged online by mid-spring of this year.  Now towards the beginning of
July, there are already well-over 74,000 observations that have been
logged.  This is HUGE!

It's also interesting to scroll through each of the species and view current
observations for each (check out the "View Results" quick-link towards the
top of the page).  Take a quick look at Bald Eagle!  We all know that
they've made a huge come-back in Ohio but the actual change since the
mid-'80s is more meaningful when actually viewing a map.  When viewing
species distribution maps, click on the "View Previous Atlas Data" to access
the maps from the first Atlas.

If anyone would like more information about using the online data entry
website, please let me know as we now have a recently published tutorial
that outlines all of the useful features that this website has to offer Ohio
atlasers.  I can either email a PDF of the tutorial or mail you a paper
copy.  Just let me know!

Recent weeks have seen some very interesting observations...multiple pairs
of Bell's Vireo, a few Upland Sandpiper observations, Blackburnian Warbler
fledglings, some additional Clay-colored Sparrows, Yellow-crowned
Night-Herons, Northern Saw-whet Owls, Blue Grosbeaks in lots of places...and
let's not forget the Mississippi Kites (breeding confirmation pending at the
moment)!  Atlasing is a great way to explore Ohio and potentially make some
very interesting discoveries.  I encourage everyone to take a look at a map
and find an area that hasn't been covered yet (the fastest way to get this
information is by using the website although you can certainly give us a
call if you'd rather avoid the net).  Even those blocks surrounded by a sea
of agriculture can provide fantastic birding.  Besides, it's a lot of fun to
try and top 75 species in some of these habitat-challenged areas, but it can
be done!  Give it a try...I'm sure that all the regional coordinators in
these regions would be extremely grateful!

Again, we would like to thank everyone who is out there braving the heat and
the insects to provide the Ohio Breeding Bird Atlas II with valuable data.
This project wouldn't happen without your continued support.  If you're
still wondering about whether or not you might be able to participate in the
project, please feel free to give me a call or slide me an email.  I'd be
more than happy to discuss ways in which you could contribute to the Atlas.


Good birding!

--
Aaron Boone
Ohio Breeding Bird Atlas II
School of Environment & Natural Resources
The Ohio State University
210 Kottman Hall
2021 Coffey Road
Columbus, OH 43210-1085
614.247.6458 (office)
www.ohiobirds.org/obba2/

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