Our records show that you are the principal atlaser for the following open Wisconsin Breeding Bird Atlas II block(s):

This email is part of a series we'll be sending throughout the 2019 breeding season to give you guidance on what to focus on in the weeks ahead.

What to Do in June
As a principal atlaser, your main tasks over the next few weeks will be to:

1. Build your species lists as large as you can. Get up early and check a variety of habitats, the dawn chorus can be very productive! The species list block completion criterion is met when your number of species reaches 80% of those found during Atlas I, but many atlasers are easily surpassing this threshold

2. Make atlasing a priority from June 5–15. June 1 is typically considered "go time" for atlasing, but this year, a few migrants are still lingering south of their typical breeding range, and some late-arriving residents are not back due to a very late spring. With this in mind, practice cautious coding when you are out during the first week of June. There is still plenty of productive atlasing to be had right now, just be aware of birds that are slightly out of their normal habitat type or behaving as if they are not yet on territory.

The Breeding Guideline Bar Chart is a good resource to learn about the species that typically arrive late (species with the latest E and B periods in spring), such as Common Nighthawk, Dickcissel, flycatchers, cuckoos, and some warblers and vireos). By the second weekend in June we should be solidly caught up, so make plans to hit your block hard!

A check-in on activity in your open priority block(s) will occur on June 15.
This check-in is to confirm that your species list is approaching the 80% of Atlas I species threshold in your block(s). If you need help getting your species list in shape, please let us know ASAP! Contact us at atlas@wsobirds.org, and we'll help you get it done.