What's New

22 Feb 2008: The township totals have now been updated to reflect final summary data. Maps, species lists, and summary data are forthcoming.

16 Jul 2007: The amazing Walt Pawloski adds a new species to the Wayne County list: a Canvasback with young at Point Mouille headquarters in T5S R10E block 4!  Way to go Walt!  The equally diligent Daryl Aspery has confirmed a host of elusive, important species, many in a western Wayne Co. location: Least Bittern, Common Moorhen, and Virginia Rail, to name a few. See also a couple new photos in the photo gallery. 

7 Feb 2007:  A summary of 2006 results has been posted. The Wayne County species list has been updated to show the number of blocks in which each species is possible, probable, and confirmed.  Nearly 50 species now have maps showing this graphically, just click on the name of the species if a link is present.  These will be produced for all species at the end of the Atlas.  All the pages that summarize the four blocks in each township/range have been updated. This page summarizes the numbers for all blocks. 

Owls are already setting up territories or on nests!  Check out the maps for Eastern Screech-Owl and Great Horned Owl and see if you can fill in some gaps!

24 Aug 2006:  I've added a form required by the Michigan Natural Features Inventory (Word doc) to document state-listed species (list here). I've also updated the Links page.

5 Jun 2006:  Some new photos added to the photo gallery page

30 Apr 2006:  The first Atlas newsletter from Kalamazoo Nature Center is available (pdf document).

18 Apr 2006:  All 2002-2005 data have been reconciled with data received at Atlas Headquarters.  Some adjustments have been made to blocks, so all the web pages for blocks now have accurate data through the 2005 field season.  I've also made a nicer looking map of the county on the "Atlas Blocks" page.

6 Apr 2006:  I have revised all of the block profile pages so that a summary of the number of possible, probable, confirmed, and total number of species is tallied on each page.  There is also a new page that lists the same data for all blocks, summarized on one page.  At the bottom, you can see some additional statistics on coverage. 

9 Dec 2005:  The results of the 2005 season have been posted, all blocks and the species list have been updated here on the web site.  You can also download the 2005 Wayne County Breeding Bird Atlas Newsletter (PDF) which lists the new species, species rankings, and where we stand from the previous Atlas.  Click here to download.

1 Dec 2005:  Most of the results are in and compiled, and I will be posting a short summary as well as a newsletter as soon as I can.  It was a terrific year, and we have exceeded the results of the last Atlas in number of species and number of confirmations already!

18 May 2005:  A couple of new photos in the photo gallery page.

27 Apr 2005:  Announcing a Michigan Breeding Bird Atlas workshop, Monday, May 23 at 7 PM at the UM-Dearborn Environmental Interpretive Center (campus map, directions to campus). Ray Adams, state coordinator, will give a presentation introducing the Atlas project, and provide instructions on how to participate in this interactive session.  If you are interested in the Atlas, come and hear what it's all about!

21 Apr 2005:  Atlas materials have been mailed out to all Wayne Co. volunteers.  This year we've been concentrating on owls, and had good success finding Great Horned Owl nests.  Screech-owls can be a little trickier to confirm, but Bill Rapai's find can be seen on the photo gallery page.

3 Mar 2005:  The list of species needed additional information, and the additional information form have been updated; there is now a supply order form for you to order forms from Atlas headquarters, which is being very prompt in mailing supplies.  A mini-handbook is being developed for distribution, and block maps for the entire state are being readied to put online.  Expect a lot of new information soon!

7 Dec:  At long last, 2004 results have now been posted!

30 Jun:  I posted an update on what I've found in my blocks at the RRBO latest sightings page. 

16 Jun 2004:  The Atlas Handbook is finally here (this link goes off-site).  I've also added a photo of the first Hooded Mergansers confirmed nesting in Wayne Co. in decades to the photo gallery.

19 Apr 2004:  I've added some information on the early Eastern Screech-Owl to the photo gallery.

16 Apr 2004:  Until Michigan gets its own newsletter, I highly recommend reading the Ontario Breeding Bird Atlas newsletters, which are archived online.  They are a wealth of information!

14 Apr 2004:  Atlas Headquarters promises copies of the handbook will be mailed soon.  Please contact them directly if you need additional forms for 2004.

A very early nesting date for Eastern Screech-Owl was established in Dearborn...look for details here soon.  Great Blue Herons are staging a strong comeback in the county.  They are expanding their nesting colony at Carelton Farms landfill in Sumpter Township.  From a humble beginning of only a few nests several years ago, it looks like there may be up to 20 this year.  Also back from the mists is the colony on Stony Island in the Detroit River.  There were at least 60 nests counted this weekend.  This is a historical site for nesting herons and egrets, but habitat changes extinguished the colony about ten years ago. 

21 Oct 2003:  2003 summary results have been posted, with links to details.

9 Oct 2003:  Most of the 2003 breeding season information has been updated in the township maps.  Soon, I'll post a summary of the results.

30 May 2003: I've revised the additional information form.  It can be used as a guide -- as long as you submit some kind of notes with similar information, we'll have the data we need on the species being monitored for the county.

28 May 2003:  Added a couple photos to the Photo Gallery.  Feel free to send pictures!