Square bashes are an enjoyable way for birders with any level of experience to contribute to the third Ontario Breeding Bird Atlas (“Atlas-3” for short). As 2025 is the final year of the community science project, this year’s events are your last chance to join in the fun and help make the Atlas the best tool it can possibly be for conserving the province’s birds.
“Square bash” is a term that goes back to the first Ontario Atlas (1981–1985). The “square” is the 10×10 km basic coverage unit of the Atlas. The “bash” involves getting a group of people together to ensure that under-sampled squares are adequately covered. Coverage involves finding as many species as possible breeding in each square, watching the birds to observe evidence of their breeding, and/or doing simple standard surveys called “point counts”.
Participating in the Atlas-3 is a challenge, a congenial way to work with and get to know other birders, an easy way to learn about part of the province that may be new to you, and a vital contribution to the community science. It’s very cool figuring out how to find missing species (and even better when you find them!), exploring new and exciting sites, and working together with fellow birders towards a common goal. Even if you don’t find the species you’re looking for, you are still contributing valuable data.
You can join the full event or any part of any of the events. Most people will camp, free of charge, but some choose to stay in nearby hotels (at their own expense). People who live nearby may join us for part of the day. It’s up to you.
The events are led by Atlas staff, who assign tasks and help make sure everyone enjoys the process. There is a get together around the campfire every evening when we talk about the day’s highlights and plan activities for the following day: who works with whom, where, and what the specific goals are. In some squares, canoeing or atlassing by bike are options – whatever it takes and is of interest to you!
If you are an experienced atlasser and know birds well by song, you can lead a small group working on a square, and if not, you can work with a more experienced atlasser.
Square bashes, including this year’s, tend to be in poorly known areas at some distance from major population centres, and, perhaps because of that, tend to have especially interesting bird communities. You never know what you might find. Previous events have turned up rarities such as Kirtland’s and golden-winged warblers, and American goshawk. But mostly, participating in the Atlas-3 is about seeking, finding and enjoying our wonderful birds in neat places with great people.
Mike Cadman is a retired wildlife biologist living in Guelph. He coordinated the first and second Ontario Breeding Bird Atlas projects and the first part of Atlas-3.
