Nearly 300 atlasers turned out for the third annual Big Atlas Weekend in NY this year. They battled rain and wind and documented 192 species over 813 cumulative hours and submitted 1251 checklists! We held several challenges in different categories and randomly selected from eligible checklists to choose winners. Winners received a free course of their choosing from the Cornell Lab’s Bird Academy. Terry won for submitting a complete checklist in an incomplete priority block. Congratulations, Terry!
Name
Terry Bohling
Hometown
Originally from Oneida County (New Hartford), currently living in Livingston County (Livonia)
How you started birding
It started out pretty casual as a kid—knowing basic yard birds and some boreal birds from our family’s property in the Adirondacks. In 2015 we vacationed on the Island of Hawaii and participated in a day-long guided field trip with Hawaii Forest & Trail which included hiking up the slopes of Mauna Kea. At that time my interest in birding was clinched by seeing and learning about the endemic and critically endangered Palila—a finch-billed honeycreeper. Most Hawaiian endemics are habitat specialists and losing ground very rapidly. This led me to wonder how many other species might face the threat of extirpation, extinction, or diminished numbers within my own lifetime? I felt an increased sense of urgency to get out and get birding. Since 2015, all our travel has involved birding, creating a whole wonderful layer of experience in the outdoors. I find it much more interesting to see a different state or country when birds are involved. While chasing rarities is not really my thing, I’ve been inspired to travel to see some of the local rarities in their natural habitats. It’s a great excuse to travel!
Favorite birds
I think the most brilliant response I’ve heard is “my favorite bird is the last bird I saw.” This summer blessed us by discovering a hummingbird nest on our property. It was extraordinary to watch the mother feed the babies and then watching them fledge, which they did—with flying colors!—flying, chattering, and fighting with each other over the feeders. For now that’s a clear favorite. Otherwise, neotropical migrants are so remarkable and nothing short of miracles, if only for the sheer balancing act of long-distance migration.
Ruby-throated Hummingbird nest with young © Terry Bohling
Motivation to Atlas
I wanted to help in whatever small way I could, with hope that the final data analysis will lead to more concerted conservation efforts to keep habitat natural with continuing restoration and preservation of key areas. Hopefully, land users and developers can come to realize that helping maintain healthy and thriving bird populations benefits us all—in ways we are only now beginning to understand. Having ebird as a tool helps motivate me—it’s invaluable! I now use the trip report feature to organize priority block atlasing.
Favorite Atlasing Area
My backyard. I’m lucky enough that our patch lies within a priority block, including a farmer’s field and woodlot adjacent to our property. For the last 30 or so years I’ve watched a three-acre abandoned field grow into early-successional habitat—nesting habitat for Yellow Warblers, Song, Chipping, and Field Sparrows, catbirds, robins, goldfinches, and most recently, Savannah Sparrow fledglings along a narrow strip of unmowed grass. It also provides interesting stopover habitat for migration, which is most interesting in the fall. Beyond that, it’s fun exploring new, out-of-the-way habitats.
Most rewarding part of Atlasting
When I’m lucky enough to observe certain behaviors—two things: watching birds build nests to make it a perfect fit and carrying food to feed babies. It’s a humbling experience—they work so hard. Most of the time, these observations bring up more questions than answers. Socrates and Einstein agreed, “The more I learn, the more I realize how much I don’t know.” So true. I’ve also met some nice folks that will ask me if I’m okay as I’m stopped along the roadside checking out birds.
Favorite atlasing discovery
Birds impact us in so many ways—at times sublime. My mom passed in May and as we pulled into the parking lot of her hospice, I heard a Common Nighthawk calling from a small field adjacent to the parking lot—a bird I seldom see or hear in Upstate NY. I felt that the nighthawk’s presence was a tremendous gift, maybe even a sign.
Advice for someone “on the fence” about participating
Get to know your planet by observing birds. I think they embody perfection in their over-the-top miraculous migration, nesting, chick-rearing, and launching of fledglings. You may enjoy choosing a small patch (in a priority block of course!) and hang out there for a while. You don’t have to walk an 8-mile trek or bike several miles. You don’t have to have a long camera lens. You may discover some behaviors that will delight and surprise you. Everyone has the opportunity to be an awesome birder. The relationship between birds and the planet is profound. If you don’t go out, you’ll never know what you’re missing. You might discover a greater appreciation for our perfect Earth by getting to know our avian citizens.