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Atlasing the Winter Season with the Block Explorer

By Lee Sherrill & Scott Anderson 2 Dec 2024
Northern Cardinal ML627012900
Northern Cardinal Cardinalis cardinalis
© Nathan Stimson
This month’s Atlas Highlight article builds on the exciting information shared in last month’s Winter Atlasing Begins November 1st! article.  As we usher in the winter Atlasing season, this article will focus on a specific component of the Atlasing toolkit: the Block Explorer.
The eBird platform does not make it easy to separate wintering from breeding season observations. To remedy this, we have developed the Block Explorer tool for Atlasers to view priority block progress (see the below example from Oregon Inlet SE). This powerful tool is updated monthly and allows you to:

  • View current breeding and winter block statistics.
  • See checklist locations within a block.
  • View and download the list of species detected during winter and breeding seasons (including highest breeding code).

Oregon Inlet SE block progress as shown in the block explorer.

One clear advantage of using the Block Explorer is the ability to distinguish between wintering and breeding season block completion statistics. Gone are the days of sifting through eBird checklists to track wintering efforts. This data is now separated and can be accessed by clicking either the Wintering or Breeding tab in the statistics box.  Below are simple instructions on how to do this:

  1. Visit the Block Explorer webpage HERE.
  2. In the upper right corner, type or search for the name of your priority block.
  3. Scroll down to the Statistics box.
  4. Click between the Breeding and Wintering tabs to view data for each season.
  5. You can now easily see if the block has met specific completion requirements and identify what still needs to be done to mark the block as complete!
You may notice that we’re aiming for >=55 species observed for every priority block. If you know anything about North Carolina, we’re famous for the wide variety of shorebirds, waterbirds, and waterfowl that winter in coastal lakes and sounds. The mountains are a different story, with fewer species that are much more difficult to locate. We certainly expect this variation across the state and acknowledge that 55 species may be an unrealistic goal for many blocks.
Whether you’re a seasoned Atlaser or just beginning, the Block Explorer is an essential resource for making your winter Atlasing experience more efficient and enjoyable.
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