This morning I stopped before work in North Stonington to look for a reported Northern Shoveler. The Drake was there but also there were two male Red-winged Blackbirds displaying and signing in the cattails. I've always thought the first sign of Spring was a Red-winged Blackbird on territory, since that happens long before even Woodcock start to display in my part of the state. But this observation highlights how little time we have left before the Late Winter period of the Connecticut Bird Atlas closes. This weekend I had a wonderful encounter with a Barred Owl while doing survey work, and my write-up of the event, as well as a photo of the owl, can be found on The Connecticut Bird Atlas Facebook page, www.facebook.com/ctbirdatlasvol/ With so little time left, just under three weeks, it is more important than ever that volunteers get out and cover areas not yet visited. It is easy and fun. More importantly, it will help us better understand our birds and help us know what can be done to slow the loss of our feathered gems. So please go to the Connecticut Bird Atlas website block map and see where we lack coverage. Even just reporting feeder visits can help. Better still is a leisurely 1 hour walk in a block that needs coverage. So please consider helping the project to help our birds. Thank you, Dave Provencher Southeast Region Coordinator