Virginia's Species of Greatest Conservation Need's Boletim

This post explores the utility of iNaturalist’s City Nature Challenge 2021 (April 30th to May 3rd) to harness community science observations in order to support observing Virginia’s Species of Greatest Conservation Need (SGCN). Northern Virginia Planning Region Focus!

The City Nature Challenge is iNaturalist’s massive spring bioblitz and the Washington DC area participates. The DC challenge includes the Washington DC metropolitan area so for Virginia, these counties (and cities within) are included; Alexandria, Arlington, Fairfax, Loudoun, Manassas, Fauquier, Prince William, Stafford, Fredericksburg, and Spotsylvania.

Virginia’s SGCN effort is divided into planning regions. The Northern Virginia Planning Region includes significant county overlap with iNaturalist’s City Nature Challenge. This planning region includes the following counties; Alexandria, Arlington, Fairfax, Loudoun, Manassas, and Prince William, and the cities within. Special thanks to these iNaturalists who recorded two or more SGCN observations during the City Nature Challenge 2021: @izafarr @tomarata @hthrd @leofetterolf @lisam @lucareptile @ashley_bradford @ana_kaahanui @drhowell @telbill @casadoray @kpasternak @zhelicarol @peggyo @aqualily @bheubner @capitalnaturalist @dmvnaturephotos @doclarsen @hugh_vandervoort @jtdavis @krosenthal @lbachle @pam12 @steveyoung and @willowsfordconservancy.

This post spotlights the Northern Virginia Planning Region. Let’s take a look at what SGCNs were observed during the City Nature Challenge 2021.

During the city nature challenge, 751 observers recorded 22,829 observations of 2,173 species overall, in the planning region. Nineteen species of great conservation need (SGCN) were observed by 71 observers during City Nature Challenge 2021.

• Gray Catbird (Dumetella carolinensis), 63 observations


• Eastern Towhee (Pipilo erythrophthalmus), 19 observations


• Common Box Turtle (Terrapene carolina), 15 observations


• Wood Thrush (Hylocichla mustelina), 13 observations


• Green Heron (Butorides virescens), 12 observation


• Northern Flicker (Colaptes auratus), 5 observations


• Brown Thrasher (Toxostoma rufum), 4 observation


• Eastern Kingbird (Tyrannus tyrannus), 4 observations


• Belted Kingfisher (Megaceryle alcyon), 3 observations


• Northern Rough-winged Sparrow (Stelgidopteryx serripennis), 3 observations


• Field Sparrow (Spizella pusilla), 2 observations


• Yellow-breasted Chat (Icteria virens), 2 observations


• Spotted Turtle (Clemmys guttata), 2 observations


• Eastern Ribbon Snake (Thamnophis saurita), 2 observations


• Yellow-billed Cuckoo (Coccyzus americanus), 1 observation


• Rusty Blackbird (Euphagus carolinus), 1 observation


• Eastern Hognose Snake (Heterodon Platirhinos), 1 observation


• An Amphipod (Stygobromus), 1 observation


• Eastern Whip-Poor_Will (Antrostomas vociferus), 1 observation

The surge of community science observations during the iNaturalist City Nature Challenge 2021 adds to the understanding of Virginia’s identified species of greatest conservation need. Overall, for the Northern Virginia Planning Region's SGCNs, and including this year’s bioblitz, 1,148 observers have documented 50 SGCNs with 4,613 observations.

This post explores the utility of iNaturalist’s City Nature Challenge 2021 (April 30th to May 3rd) to harness community science observations in order to support observing Virginia’s Species of Greatest Conservation Need (SGCN). Manassas County Focus!

The City Nature Challenge is iNaturalist’s massive spring bioblitz and the Washington DC area participates. The DC challenge includes the Washington DC metropolitan area so for Virginia, these counties (and cities within) are included; Alexandria, Arlington, Fairfax, Loudoun, Manassas, Fauquier, Prince William, Stafford, and Spotsylvania.

Virginia’s SGCN effort is divided into planning regions. The Northern Virginia Planning Region includes significant county overlap with iNaturalist’s City Nature Challenge. This planning region includes the following counties; Alexandria, Arlington, Fairfax, Loudoun, Manassas, and Prince William, and the cities within.

This post spotlights Manassas County. Manassas County is within Virginia’s Northern Virginia Planning Region. Let’s take a look at what SGCNs were observed during the City Nature Challenge 2021.

During the city nature challenge, 4 observers recorded 5 observations of 5 species in the county. NO (!) species of great conservation need (SGCN) were observed during the City Nature Challenge.

The surge of community science observations during the iNaturalist City Nature Challenge 2021 adds to the understanding of Virginia’s identified species of greatest conservation need. For Manassas County’s SGCNs, and including this year’s bioblitz, 9 observers have documented 6 SGCNs with 12 observations.

This post explores the utility of iNaturalist’s City Nature Challenge 2021 (April 30th to May 3rd) to harness community science observations in order to support observing Virginia’s Species of Greatest Conservation Need (SGCN). Alexandria County Focus!

The City Nature Challenge is iNaturalist’s massive spring bioblitz and the Washington DC area participates. The DC challenge includes the Washington DC metropolitan area so for Virginia, these counties (and cities within) are included; Alexandria, Arlington, Fairfax, Loudoun, Manassas, Fauquier, Prince William, Stafford, and Spotsylvania.

Virginia’s SGCN effort is divided into planning regions. The Northern Virginia Planning Region includes significant county overlap with iNaturalist’s City Nature Challenge. This planning region includes the following counties; Alexandria, Arlington, Fairfax, Loudoun, Manassas, and Prince William, and the cities within.

This post spotlights Alexandria County. Alexandria County is within Virginia’s Northern Virginia Planning Region. Let’s take a look at what SGCNs were observed during the City Nature Challenge 2021.

During the city nature challenge, 8 observers recorded 15 observations of 3 species in the county. Three species of great conservation need (SGCN) were observed during the City Nature Challenge.

• Gray Catbird (Dumetella carolinensis), 12 observations


• Wood Thrush (Hylocichla mustelina), 2 observations


• Green Heron (Butorides virescens), 1 observation

The surge of community science observations during the iNaturalist City Nature Challenge 2021 adds to the understanding of Virginia’s identified species of greatest conservation need. For Alexandria County’s SGCNs, and including this year’s bioblitz, 77 observers have documented 19 SGCNs with 348 observations.

This post explores the utility of iNaturalist’s City Nature Challenge 2021 (April 30th to May 3rd) to harness community scientist observations in order to support observing Virginia’s Species of Greatest Conservation Need (SGCN). Loudoun County Focus!

The City Nature Challenge is iNaturalist’s massive spring bioblitz and the Washington DC area participates. The DC challenge includes the Washington DC metropolitan area so for Virginia, these counties (and cities within) are included; Alexandria, Arlington, Fairfax, Loudoun, Manassas, Fauquier, Prince William, Stafford, Fredericksburg, and Spotsylvania.

Virginia’s SGCN effort is divided into planning regions. The Northern Virginia Planning Region includes significant county overlap with iNaturalist’s City Nature Challenge. This planning region includes the following counties; Alexandria, Arlington, Fairfax, Loudoun, Manassas, and Prince William, and the cities within.

This post spotlights Loudoun County. Loudoun County is within Virginia’s Northern Virginia Planning Region. Let’s take a look at what SGCNs were observed during the City Nature Challenge 2021.

During the city nature challenge, 87 observers recorded 1,657 observations of 620 species in the county. Five species of great conservation need (SGCN) were observed during the City Nature Challenge.

• Gray Catbird (Dumetella carolinensis), 5 observations


• Belted Kingfisher (Megaceryle alcyon), 2 observations


• Eastern Towhee (Pipilo erythrophthalmus), 2 observations


• Brown Thrasher (Toxostoma rufum), 2 observations


• Green Heron (Butorides virescens), 1 observation

The surge of community science observations during the iNaturalist City Nature Challenge 2021 adds to the understanding of Virginia’s identified species of greatest conservation need. For Loudoun County’s SGCNs, and including this year’s bioblitz, 104 observers have documented 20 SGCNs with 290 observations.

This post explores the utility of iNaturalist’s City Nature Challenge 2021 (April 30th to May 3rd) to harness community science observations in order to support observing Virginia’s Species of Greatest Conservation Need (SGCN). Fairfax County Focus!

The City Nature Challenge is iNaturalist’s massive spring bioblitz and the Washington DC area participates. The DC challenge includes the Washington DC metropolitan area so for Virginia, these counties (and cities within) are included; Alexandria, Arlington, Fairfax, Loudoun, Manassas, Manassas Park, Fauquier, Prince William, Stafford, Fredericksburg, and Spotsylvania.

Virginia’s SGCN effort is divided into planning regions. The Northern Virginia Planning Region includes significant county overlap with iNaturalist’s City Nature Challenge. This planning region includes the following counties; Alexandria, Arlington, Fairfax, Loudoun, Manassas, and Prince William, and the cities within.

This post spotlights Fairfax County. Fairfax County is within Virginia’s Northern Virginia Planning Region. Let’s take a look at what SGCNs were observed during the City Nature Challenge 2021.

During the city nature challenge, 431 observers recorded 11,496 observations of 1,537 species in the county. Fourteen species of great conservation need (SGCN) were observed during the City Nature Challenge.

• Gray Catbird (Dumetella carolinensis), 24 observations


• Eastern Towhee (Pipilo erythrophthalmus), 10 observations


• Green Heron (Butorides virescens), 9 observations


• Wood Thrush (Hylocichla mustelina), 7 observations


• Common Box Turtle (Terrapene carolina), 5 observations


• Eastern Kingbird (Tyrannus tyrannus), 3 observations


• Yellow-breasted Chat (Icteria virens), 2 observations


• Northern Flicker (Colaptes auratus), 2 observations


• Spotted Turtle (Clemmys guttata), 2 observations


• Eastern Ribbon Snake (Thamnophis saurita), 2 observations


• Rusty Blackbird (Euphagus carolinus), 1 observation


• Northern Rough-winged Sparrow (Stelgidopteryx serripennis), 1 observation


• Brown Thrasher (Toxostoma rufum), 1 observation


• An Amphipod (Stygobromus), 1 observation

The surge of community science observations during the iNaturalist City Nature Challenge 2021 adds to the understanding of Virginia’s identified species of greatest conservation need. For Fairfax County’s SGCNs, and including this year’s bioblitz, 681 observers have documented 42 SGCNs with 2,426 observations in iNaturalist.

This post explores the utility of iNaturalist’s City Nature Challenge 2021 (April 30th to May 3rd) to harness community science observations in order to support observing Virginia’s Species of Greatest Conservation Need (SGCN). Arlington County Focus!

The City Nature Challenge is iNaturalist’s massive spring bioblitz and the Washington DC area participates. The DC challenge includes the Washington DC metropolitan area so for Virginia, these counties (and cities within) are included; Alexandria, Arlington, Fairfax, Loudoun, Manassas, Manassas Park, Fauquier, Prince William, Stafford, Fredericksburg, and Spotsylvania.

Virginia’s SGCN effort is divided into planning regions. The Northern Virginia Planning Region includes significant county overlap with iNaturalist’s City Nature Challenge. This planning region includes the following counties; Alexandria, Arlington, Fairfax, Loudoun, Manassas, and Prince William, and the cities within.

This post spotlights Arlington County. Arlington County is within Virginia’s Northern Virginia Planning Region. Let’s take a look at what SGCNs were observed during the City Nature Challenge 2021.

During the city nature challenge, 123 observers recorded 4,204 observations of 949 species in the county. Six species of great conservation need (SGCN) were observed during the City Nature Challenge.

• Gray Catbird (Dumetella carolinensis), 14 observations


• Eastern Towhee(Pipilo erythrophthalmus), 7 observations


• Wood Thrush (Hylocichla mustelina), 3 observations


• Common Box Turtle (Terrapene carolina), 3 observations


• Northern Rough-winged Sparrow (Stelgidopteryx serripennis), 1 observation


• Eastern Kingbird (Tyrannus tyrannus), 1 observation

The surge of community science observations during the iNaturalist City Nature Challenge 2021 adds to the understanding of Virginia’s identified species of greatest conservation need. For Arlington County’s SGCNs, and including this years bioblitz, 129 observers have documented 24 SGCNs with 501 observations in iNaturalist.

This post explores the utility of iNaturalist’s City Nature Challenge 2021 (April 30th to May 3rd) to harness community science observations in order to support observing Virginia’s Species of Greatest Conservation Need (SGCN). Prince William County Focus!

The City Nature Challenge is iNaturalist’s massive spring bioblitz and the Washington DC area participates. The DC challenge includes the Washington DC metropolitan area so for Virginia, these counties (and cities within) are included; Alexandria, Arlington, Fairfax, Loudoun, Manassas, Manassas Park, Fauquier, Prince William, Stafford, Fredericksburg, and Spotsylvania.

Virginia’s SGCN effort is divided into planning regions. The Northern Virginia Planning Region includes significant county overlap with iNaturalist’s City Nature Challenge. This planning region includes the following counties; Alexandria, Arlington, Fairfax, Loudoun, Manassas, and Prince William, and the cities within.

This post spotlights Prince William County. Prince William County is within Virginia’s Northern Virginia Planning Region. Let’s take a look at what SGCNs were observed during the City Nature Challenge 2021.

During the city nature challenge, 125 observers recorded 4,397 observations of 1,095 species in the county. Eleven species of great conservation need (SGCN) were observed during the City Nature Challenge.

• Gray Catbird (Dumetella carolinensis), 8 observations


• Field Sparrow (Spizella pusilla), 2 observations


• Northern Flicker (Colaptes auratus), 2 observations


• Yellow-billed Cuckoo (Coccyzus americanus), 1 observation


• Belted Kingfisher (Megaceryle alcyon), 1 observation


• Green Heron (Butorides virescens), 1 observation


• Northern Rough-winged Swallow (Stelgidopteryx serripennis), 1 observation


• Wood Thrush (Hylocichla mustelina), 1 observation


• Brown Thrasher (Toxostoma rufum), 1 observation


• Eastern Hognose Snake (Heterodon platirhinos), 1 observation


• Eastern Whip-Poor Will (Antrostomas vociferus), 1 observation

The surge of community science observations during the iNaturalist City Nature Challenge 2021 adds to the understanding of Virginia’s identified species of greatest conservation need. For Prince William County’s SGCNs, and including this year's bioblitz, 256 observers have documented 40 SGCNs with 786 observations in iNaturalist.