Is that a bird’s nest? We want to know!com-bbimages.s3.amazonaws.com/.../Isthatabirdsnest... · Monitor nest boxes or open-cup nests! Eastern Bluebirds by R. Chlysta NestWatch is

NestWatch is FREE! Join at www.nestwatch.orgIn collaboration with

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How do I get started?

u VISIT our web sitev JOIN NestWatch w COLLECT your datax ENTER your datay SEE your data

It’s that simple!

Join NestWatch and keep an eye on bird ba-bies as they grow. You’ll learn amazing things about nature in your own backyard. All you do is watch active nests during the spring and summer and keep track of what kind of birds are using the nests, how many eggs were laid, and the number of chicks hatched. NestWatch is free and by taking part you’ll help scientists learn more about bird families. Join today!

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NestWatch is the newest citizen science project of the Cornell Lab of Ornithology, set to officially launch in spring 2008!

Is that a bird’s nest? We want to know!

NestWatch is FREE! Join at www.nestwatch.org

What data are collected?Participants collect information on the location, habitat, species, and number of eggs and young in the nest.

How are data made available?Data can be downloaded as an Excel file or as a .pdf document.

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Human Modified (habitats include):

Yards and residential areasPublic park/green space

RoadsideGolf courseLandfill/gravel pit/strip mine

CemeteryIndustrial/commercial center area

Utility corridorSchool/campus/church/hospital

AirportCampgroundChristmas tree farmOrchard/vineyardRecently clear cut area

Recently burned areaAgricultural AreaIncludes cropland, pasture, and tree plantations—vegeta-

tive cover dedicated to the systematic production of food,

feed, fiber, livestock, and other goods.

Woodland/ForestDominated by deciduous and/or coniferous trees, generally with a

distinct canopy, though it can have some open areas.

Natural Grassland/Prairie

Grassland and savanna including all native

prairies, aspen parklands, and other natural

grasslands. Precipitation is highly variable but

usually very seasonal. Areas are dominated by

grasses and forbs, but may include scattered

shrubs or trees.

Appendix B: HABITAT DESCRIPTION CODESHABITAT

When describing your nest site, enter descriptions for immediate habitat type within 1 meter of the nest

and for the dominant habitat type within 100 meters of the nest. If habitat type is human modified, de-

scribe the type of modification from the list below.

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After you locate a nest…The first time you find a nest, note its location care-fully so that you can easily find it again later. If you find a nest in a spot that may be difficult to relo-cate, look around and try to memo-rize some visual landmarks. We do NOT recommend placing any type of flagging near the nest. Instead, draw a picture in a field notebook, recording compass bearings and distances from landmarks. Record additional information about nest contents on the field worksheets.

To keep each visit brief, prepare equipment before-hand (e.g. worksheets, notebook, camera, and GPS unit). A sturdy stick is worth carrying, and useful for:• parting foliage to view a nest • leaning on to inspect a nest without disturb-ing the immediate surroundings• attaching a mirror to the end, enabling in-spection without close approach • rustling foliage to warn a nesting bird of your approach, enabling it to leave the nest.

Use mirrors or binoculars to monitor nests from a distanceIf the nest is too high, you might have to use a mirror to see into it. Attach a small mirror (e.g., a bicycle or mechanic’s mirror) on the end of a pole and position the contents in the reflection.

If a nest is so out of reach that you can’t monitor it safely, you can still collect valuable information by using binoculars. You may not be able to get an ex-act count of eggs or young, but you can determine if the nest is active and whether the parents have eggs or nestlings by observing their behavior. Be efficient and thorough

Check the nest quickly. Average visits should take less than one minute. Count the eggs/nestlings and then leave the imme-diate area. Remember, if you miss a day or can’t get an exact count, it’s okay. Safety of the birds should be your first priority!

Behavioral cues for finding nestsIf we listen and observe carefully, we can witness a variety of behavioral cues that birds use to com-municate with one another during the breeding season.

Courtship• Singing males are often trying to attract a mate or defend a breeding territory. As suck, they are usually a good indication of nearby nesting. • If you see copulation, females are probably building a nest or laying eggs.

Male singing

Food offering

Nudging

Copulation

Nest building • Not all birds build nests, but for those that do, the nest building stage can be very obvious because adults can be seen in flight carrying nest material. Female song-birds typically build the nests, with the ex-ception of vireos and wrens. Follow females when possible.

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Nest Monitoring

Manual

Available online at: www.nestwatch.org

In Collaboration with:

Available at www.nestwatch.org

Data entry

Data out queries

Find focal species information, complete instructions, data sheets, data entry &

retrieval, resources, help, & much more!

Map tools allow Internet visitors to see which birds are nesting in nearby locations.

In collaboration with

Funded by

Developed by

www.nestwatch.org