Hi Atlas Folks!
Just a quick message on this St. Patty's Day to remind us of the proper use for
the S and S7 breeding codes, when reporting your breeding observations to the
VA Breeding Bird Atlas project.
Love is in the air for many of our resident bird species. Our woods, fields,
and neighborhoods are full of the songs and breeding vocalizations of males
establishing their territories and advertising for females. As we enter the
second Atlas season, let’s make sure we’re using the S or S7 breeding codes for
bird songs and calls that are specifically tied to breeding activity.
S= Singing Male or S7= Singing Male Present >7 days. This code only applies to
species that have a song or vocalization directly associated with breeding
behavior. Examples include everything from the Carolina Wren’s classic song to
a Barred Owl’s ‘Who-cooks-for-you’ call. However, many species of birds make
sounds that are not associated with breeding. In some cases, these are actual
songs (e.g. nuthatches), but in most cases these are simpler vocalizations or
‘calls’. Detections of such vocalizations should not be labeled with the S or
S7 code.
Examples of such species include nuthatches, waxwings, kingfishers, shorebirds,
waterfowl, wading birds, vultures, terns and gulls, and corvids. It may not
happen right away, but if you log a singing Great Blue Heron, eventually an
Atlas reviewer is going to be messaging you.
Lastly, there are still a few spots open for the Charlottesville Training
session next Saturday, March 25th. If you are a new volunteer or would just
like a refresher, please join us for this fun day of birding and learning!
Register at: https://goo.gl/forms/DwOOGFUIWCObDvD12 For more info, check out ;
the Atlas Events page on our website.
Enjoy the St. Patty's day revelry and hopefully a weekend of good birding!
Ashley Peele, PhD
Virginia Breeding Bird Atlas Coordinator
www.vabba2.org | ebird.org/atlasva
www.facebook.com/vabba2
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Conservation Management Institute, Virginia Tech
1900 Kraft Drive, Suite 250
Blacksburg, VA 24061
(540) 231-9182 office
(540) 231-7019 fax
ashpeele@xxxxxx
