Northern goshawk © Dona Hilkey
Sq. bashes are an pleasing manner for birders with any stage 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 undertaking, this yr’s occasions are your final probability to hitch within the enjoyable and assist make the Atlas one of the best device it could probably 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 gaggle of individuals collectively to make sure that under-sampled squares are adequately lined. Protection entails discovering as many species as doable breeding in every sq., watching the birds to watch proof of their breeding, and/or doing easy normal surveys known as “level counts”.
Collaborating within the Atlas-3 is a problem, a congenial solution to work with and get to know different birders, a straightforward solution to find out about a part of the province which may be new to you, and a significant contribution to the neighborhood science. It’s very cool determining discover lacking species (and even higher once you discover them!), exploring new and thrilling websites, and dealing along with fellow birders in direction of a standard objective. Even in the event you don’t discover the species you’re searching for, you’re nonetheless contributing beneficial 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 possibly can be part of the total 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 resorts (at their very own expense). Individuals who stay close by could be part of us for a part of the day. It’s as much as you.
The occasions are led by Atlas employees, who assign duties and assist be 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 particular objectives are. In some squares, canoeing or atlassing by bike are choices – no matter it takes and is of curiosity to you!
If you’re an skilled atlasser and know birds effectively by tune, you’ll be able to lead a small group engaged on a sq., and if not, you’ll be able to 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 identified areas at far from main inhabitants centres, and, maybe due to that, are inclined to have particularly fascinating chook communities. You by no means know what you would possibly discover. Earlier occasions have turned up rarities similar to Kirtland’s and golden-winged warblers, and American goshawk. However largely, collaborating within the Atlas-3 is about looking for, discovering and having fun with our great birds in neat locations with nice folks.
I hope you’ll be part of us.
Mike Cadman is a retired wildlife biologist dwelling in Guelph. He coordinated the primary and second Ontario Breeding Fowl Atlas tasks and the primary a part of Atlas-3.
