Second Virginia Breeding Bird Atlas

This year marks the first year of the second Virginia Breeding Bird Atlas. Sponsored by the state Department of Game and Inland Fisheries and the Virginia Society of Ornithology, the BBA is an attempt to confirm the breeding status of a wide range of bird species in the state. My wife and I are participating by watching for breeding activity and then reporting our siting through eBird.
We have started by focusing on the breeding activity that goes on at the birding spots that we frequent including our yard.  So far this year we have eight confirmed breeders in our yard:

• Red-tailed Hawk
• Carolina Chickadee
• Carolina Wren
• House Wren
• American Robin
• Brown Thrasher
• House Finch
• Red-winged Blackbird

This is one more than was found in our entire sector last time (late 80's). 

American Robin Fledgling

There are probably another dozen species that breed in or close to our yard that we just haven't confirmed yet. Like the Mourning Doves that use to nest next to our front door. They tried again in February and weren't successful and then the nest fell down in a storm. They were successful there several times so I'm sure they'll be nesting somewhere nearby, we just haven't seen signs of it yet. Or the Goldfinches that nest late in the summer. We'll have to keep an eye out for them. 

Here's hoping we surpass 20 breeders in the yard.