When we announced recently that completed blocks were displayed, we also mentioned that we are officially sitting at 14% of completed blocks, when we should be closer to 40% after completing 2 of 5 field seasons. However, if we can finish up the night effort, and convert the many “nearly complete” blocks to officially complete blocks, we’ll be nearly on pace with where we need to be.
To help us see the coverage gaps, we’ve prepared some maps showing our progress so far. Recall there are 1,283 priority/specialty blocks that must be completed for this Atlas project to be a success!
Before we jump into the maps, let’s reiterate some of our major Atlas goals for 2017, which are important for helping us get back on pace to finish by the end of 2019.
2017 Goals:
- Finish up blocks that are nearly complete.
- Finish up blocks that only need night effort.
- Focus more effort into priority and specialty blocks and out of non-priority blocks.
- Get more birders into coverage gaps.
Ok, now that we’re on the same page, let’s see how we are doing to date.
Daytime Effort
Daytime Effort. Click here to view large version.
Here is a map showing how many daytime atlasing hours are currently in each block. This is probably the best way to look at the progress to date on the Atlas. Blocks that have crosshatching are officially complete. Blocks that are blue have fewer than the required hours, blocks that are green have about enough hours to be complete if the other completion criteria have been met. Blocks that are pink are OVERBIRDED relative to the Atlas. Once those blocks meet completion criteria, birders that normally bird in those blocks should look around and spread their birding to other areas that need it.
Overall, this map is a mixed bag. There are completed blocks (and nearly complete blocks) scattered throughout the state, which is good, but ideally we would have more complete blocks by now. The populated areas like Madison, Milwaukee and Green Bay have a lot of effort, though in some spots we need night effort to complete those blocks. Other populated areas, such as Marathon County, have a concerning lack of effort, as do many rural areas.
As you can see, even in the most densely populated areas of the state, there are blocks with little to no effort in them. We collectively need to bird smarter in the next few years. During the relatively short breeding season, plan your birding to coincide with areas that need it! Zoom in on the daytime effort map above and pan around your local area to scope out the situation, for example:
Major Gaps in Effort
We have a number of large gaps with very little effort in them. This is unavoidable, and was true for the last atlas, and mainly has to do with the lack of birders in these gap areas. Even if you can’t sign up and complete a block entirely, a summer weekend visit to a gap, or several, can really make a difference.
The red outlines indicate some major atlas coverage gaps.
The best ways to explore where the gaps are in your neck of the woods include: 1) this article, 2) the Explore a Region tables in Atlas eBird combined with the interactive map, 3) the Block Request Tool, 4) your County Coordinator. If for some reason your County Coordinator does not respond in a timely fashion, you can email us directly at atlas@wsobirds.org.
We are working with eBird to develop real-time effort maps you can explore, which will hopefully be ready in 2017, but until then, this article may serve as the best reference for where we stand on coverage.
Night Effort
Looking beyond daytime atlasing, here is a map showing the night effort. In general, we recommend at least a couple hours of night effort over at least two visits in spring and summer to help reach block completion. Blue blocks could use a little more and green blocks probably have enough effort. As you can see there are many blocks that need night effort. We just put out a series of tutorials (#1 – Overview, #2 – Details, #3 – Species Guide, #4 – More Species) to help you get out and enjoy night birding.
Nocturnal Effort. Click here to view large version.
Total Species per Block
Here is a map showing the total number of species reported in a block (counting only species that have received a Possible code or higher). The number of species per blocks varies by geography, habitat, effort, and more but in general this map also provides a good indicator of where Atlas effort is sorely needed. It’s nice to see those priority blocks filling in across the state. This map also highlights how just one person can make a difference, as most of the effort radiating from Florence County comes from Kay Kavanagh alone!
Total species per block. Click here to view large version.
What must we do to complete the Atlas?
-Finish nearly complete blocks. As mentioned above, this includes blocks that just need night effort, and blocks that need just a few targeted cleanup visits to call them finished.
-Don’t overwork your block! Completion criteria are just guidelines. If you’re at 46% confirmed and you’ve put 30 hours in, call it good enough and move onto the next block. Some blocks, particularly heavily forested ones, can be harder to obtain confirmations in. At some point in each block you will hit the point of diminishing returns, and it’s better to spend your time on a new block than to spend 10 hours confirming 3 more species. Consult your County Coordinator if you are wondering if it’s time to move on to a new block.
-Stay out of non-priority blocks during June and July. Of course people will report from their homes, workplaces, and cabins, but if you have any say at all where you go birding, go to a priority block! With 1,200 to complete and just 3 years to go, if all of us switched to a block that needed it, instead of going to our usual spots, it would help immensely.
-Choose a new block near you. You don’t have to wait until your current block is finished. Grab a new block and get out into it in time for woodcock and owls early this year.
-Consider visiting a gap. If you’re traveling across the state anyway, or want to explore, dip into a block that needs it. As you can see, there are hundreds without a single checklist.
So what are you waiting for?
SIGN UP FOR A BLOCK or CONTACT A COUNTY COORDINATOR today!
Hopefully this helps you plan your 2017 season, and THANKS again for all your efforts towards the atlas!