Many old-school birders initially find using eBird to be a hurdle when they begin atlasing. But what about those who just don’t use technology, period?
This month’s spotlight atlaser, Ezra Bontrager, is Amish, but with a little help from Vernon County Coodinator Paul Hayes, he’s a regular contributor. Ezra is one of several individuals in Vernon County’s Amish community who Atlas. When they see something unique—like a Painted Bunting on the bird feeder—they get in touch with Paul who documents it. Paul also enters Ezra’s observations from his written field notes.
“There is a significant Amish community in many rural areas of Wisconsin,” Paul noted. “The Amish grow up with a close relationship to the natural world and many of them have become expert birders.” In addition to working with the Amish community to get a number of families involved with the Atlas, Paul also conducted the following interview with Ezra.
As an Amish man, Ezra Bontrager does not use eBird, but that hasn’t stopped him from becoming a top atlaser in his county.
Name:
Ezra Bontrager
Hometown:
Hillsboro, Vernon County
Age:
21
Number of years birding:
As long as I can remember, 17 years.
Other citizen science experience:
None so far, although there are other Amish families that do feeder watches for the Christmas Bird Counts.
Favorite bird:
For all my life my favorite bird has been the Black-capped chickadee because it is so friendly and has a cheerful song all year around. I also love to watch the Bald Eagles soar. The best bird this year was the Painted Bunting that was at our feeder for a few days this past spring. I recognized it immediately from the pictures I have admired in the field guides.
Motivation to atlas:
I found a copy of the Passenger Pigeon at the library in Baraboo and saw the notice about the atlas. I got in touch with Bettie Harriman, who then sent my name to Dan Jackson. Dan passed my name along to Paul Hayes, the county coordinator, who stopped by our farm this past winter and set me up with documents and a copy of the first atlas.
Primary atlasing location:
Our family farm in Priority block Yuba CE on the Vernon / Richland County line. I also report many incidental lists from other nearby blocks.
Ezra has spotted a Bell’s Vireo on a neighboring farm but has not yet confirmed breeding. Photo by Joel Trick.
Most exciting atlas find:
There has been a Bell’s Vireo nesting on a neighbor’s farm for the past few years, we visited the site three times this year and located the bird but have not yet observed a confirmation code.
Most rewarding part of atlasing:
I love walking the woods and fields and just taking in all of nature. We often go on family walks on Sunday afternoons, which I did with my father as a little boy. I am the teacher at our community school and enjoy sharing the atlas that Paul gave me with my students and many other birding activities both in and outside the classroom.
How has atlasing changed the way you bird:
The biggest change is that I now carry a notebook. I also find myself checking for breeding behaviors and asking myself “what code would that be?” Even when working in the fields I am much more aware of the birds and their behaviors.
Advice for someone “on the fence” about participating:
I say to my family and friends that if you love the birds, try atlasing. It is a great way to share your interest in birds and time in the natural world.