This weekend the Iowa OrnithologistsÂ’ Union and the Iowa Department of Natural Resources will be hosting a Breeding Bird Atlas (BBA) Blockbusting Weekend in the Clinton and Dubuque area (Clinton, Dubuque & Jackson counties).
The BBA is a five year project where volunteers search for evidence of birds nesting throughout the state to enhance our understanding of these species, their breeding range, and their habitat selection. Everyone is invited to participate, regardless of previous birding experience. This weekend will begin with a presentation and training about the BBA on Friday evening (June 18 at 7PM) at the Bickelhaupt Arboretum (340 South 14th St., Clinton, Iowa). Volunteers will learn how to participate, how to determine breeding bird status, and how to turn in observations. We will then assign atlas blocks for the weekend. During Saturday and Sunday (June 19 & 20), volunteers will be out in blocks searching for signs of breeding behavior and nesting birds. Atlas volunteers are encouraged to visit any blocks within a reasonable driving distance. Volunteers are also responsible for making arrangements for their own accommodations and meals. There is no time commitment, just participate as long as you wish. If you can't make it to the meeting Friday but do plan on atlasing, please RSVP the BBA Coordinator ([email protected] or 515-298-3027) by Friday, June 18 so we can discuss block assignments. In addition, participants are invited to meet at the Candlelight Inn Restaurant (303 Riverview Drive, Clinton) at 7 pm for a Saturday night dinner to share our atlasing experiences. I hope to see you all there! - Billy Reiter-Marolf --- Please contribute your sightings to our list; it is only as good as members make it! --- Birding channel recommendation for FRS/GMRS radio use: Primary selection; channel 5/0 , alternate selection; channel 6/0 --- This mailing list is sponsored by the Iowa Ornithologists' Union. Membership available on-line at http://www.iowabirds.org/iou/membership.asp. ----- You are currently subscribed to ia-bird as: [email protected]
