Welcome to the second month of our third winter season of the NC Bird Atlas! As you likely know, North Carolina is a vital destination for many wintering birds. Approximately 84 species occur here only in winter and at least 119 species can be found year-round. Last month we touched on our guidelines for completing priority blocks in winter, and this month we will look at where we are now and some new tools to help reach our goals.
Overall, we have some work to do to meet our block criteria! We are aiming to have all our priority blocks completed by February 28, 2026 when data collection ends. Here is where we stand for winter block guidelines as of Oct 31, 2023:
| Winter Block Guideline | Num (Pct) Blocks Completed |
|---|---|
| Minimum Species Observed (55) | 108 (12%) |
| Minimum Hours (5) | 243 (26%) |
| Early and Late Winter Visits | 443 (47%) |
| Meet All Winter Criteria | 98 (11%) |
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.
How do you know what (and how many) species to expect? In the field, the eBird app lists the most likely species in the surrounding 20 km X 20 km area and will helpfully mark species that are uncommon or rare. At home, when planning your birding adventures, you can refer to county-level eBird data to get a reasonable estimate for the species you might see there. Note these lists include hybrids and rarities that are unlikely to be present every year – so don’t expect to find them all!
Where can I see my blocks’ winter data? The eBird platform does not make it easy to separate wintering from breeding season observations (see this example from Oregon Inlet SE). To remedy this, we have developed a Block Explorer tool for Atlasers to view priority block progress. This powerful new 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).
As always, if you think a priority block is complete (or close enough to evaluate), review the guidelines for completion and contact your regional coordinator. They will review the most recent data and notify you if the block is complete enough to move on.