Hi Everyone,

I just wanted to send out a brief reminder that May 1st marked some
new additions to the list of species that are now in safe dates for
the Ohio Breeding Bird Atlas.  Basically, safe dates help us to
include simple observations of a species in the Atlas database.
Again, safe dates only apply to observations that you would code as
'X' (observed but not in suitable breeding habitat), 'OS' (seen or
heard within suitable breeding habitat), or 'PO' (a pair of a species
interacting with one another in suitable breeding habitat).  So, don't
let safe dates limit your atlasing activities.  For more information
on safe dates, please read through the Volunteer Handbook which can be
downloaded at       http://www.ohiobirds.org/obba2/atlasmaterials.php

An example that comes to mind is a recent observation of a
Whip-poor-will that flushed from a road in the Columbus area.  This
nightjar species is currently migrating through the state so simply
seeing this bird couldn't rule out its being a migrant because no
other observations were made that would indicate that it might be
setting up a territory.  However, a trip to southern Ohio right now
would probably reveal a calling nightjar or two.  I have heard from a
couple of Atlas volunteers that they have had Whip-poor-wills calling
incessantly from specific locations and have even observed these birds
chasing other individuals.  This is territorial behavior and we can
conclude at a probable level that these birds are nesting in the area.
 The 'T1' territorial code is not constrained by safe dates (which
begin May 25th for this Whips) so if you are observing territorial
behavior then you should consider submitting these records to OBBA2.
Of course, many species of birds sing during migration so simply
having a bird in song does not necessarily indicate territoriality
around a breeding location.  Care should be taken to record specific
behaviors that are being interpreted as territorial.  Please contact
us if you have questions about any aspect of what constitutes
territoriality for a specific species.

If you're curious about when you should start looking for breeding
behaviors of certain species, I would recommend reading through the
first Ohio Breeding Bird Atlas.  A copy of each species account can be
viewed at the OBBA2 website...just click on 1st Atlas Material.  The
species account for Whip-poor-will indicates that egg dates for the
species have been documented from mid-May through early July.  Some
observations indicate that clutches may be produced as early as
late-April!

Species Now within Atlas Safe Dates:

Rock Pigeon     1/1
Great Horned Owl        2/1
Barred Owl      2/1
House Sparrow   2/1
Red-bellied Woodpecker          3/15
Downy Woodpecker        3/15
Hairy Woodpecker        3/15
Pileated Woodpecker     3/15
Carolina Chickadee      3/15
Tufted Titmouse 3/15
Northern Cardinal       3/15
Ring-necked Pheasant    4/1
Ruffed Grouse   4/1
Wild Turkey     4/1
Eastern Screech-Owl     4/1
Carolina Wren   4/1
American Woodcock       4/10
Northern Bobwhite       4/15
Belted Kingfisher       4/15
Black-capped Chickadee  4/15
European Starling       4/15
Common Grackle  4/15
Killdeer        4/20
Horned Lark     4/20
Canada Goose    5/1
Mute Swan       5/1
Trumpeter Swan          5/1
Wood Duck       5/1
Mallard         5/1
Black Vulture   5/1
Turkey Vulture          5/1
Bald Eagle      5/1
Red-shouldered Hawk     5/1
Red-tailed Hawk         5/1
Herring Gull    5/1
Mourning Dove   5/1
Barn Owl        5/1
Long-eared Owl  5/1
Short-eared Owl 5/1
Northern Saw-whet Owl   5/1
Eastern Phoebe  5/1
Loggerhead Shrike       5/1
American Crow   5/1
White-breasted Nuthatch 5/1
Bewick's Wren   5/1
Eastern Bluebird        5/1
American Robin  5/1
Louisiana Waterthrush   5/1
Red-winged Blackbird    5/1
Yellow-headed Blackbird 5/1
House Finch     5/1


--
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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