NestWatchMonitoring nesting birds with the

power of citizen science

Mindy MurdockNaturalist

NestWatch Chapter Coordinator

Cleveland Metroparks

Mission: Cleveland Metroparks will conserve significant natural resources and enhance people's lives by providing safe, high-quality outdoor education, recreation, and zoological opportunities. Further, Cleveland Metroparks Zoo is committed to create compelling experiences that connect people with wildlife.

Cornell Lab of Ornithology

Mission: To interpret and conserve the Earth’s biological diversity through research, education, and citizen science focused on birds.

There are currently over 200,000 participants in their citizen science programs.

What is Citizen Science?

• Research collaboration between professional scientists, amateur scientists and volunteers

• “Professional” scientists can’t collect

• Data collected over large spans of space and time

• Public education and engagement

What is NestWatch?

• Monitors status and trends in the biology of breeding birds

• Timing of nesting, number of eggs and young, reproductive success

Began in 1960’s with nest record cards

2006 NestWatch born

Any bird nest may be

monitored

Why is Monitoring Important?

Birds are sensitive to ecological change

Abundant and widespread

Inhabit a variety of ecosystems

Engaged in many ecological processes

Easily studied by professional and amateurs

Contribute useful data

How to Monitor NestsSafety of birds & data quality standards

Focal Species

Get Certified!

1. Learn about nesting

biology of birds

2. Plan and prepare

• Visit nests every 3-4 days

• Organize data sheet, notebook, binoculars

• Minimize time spent at nest

NestWatch Code of Conduct

Get Certified!

NestWatch Code of Conduct

3. Do not check nests:

• Early in the morning, at dusk, or at night

• When rainy or cold

• During early incubation

• When close to fledging

4. Search carefully

• Undiscovered nests are vulnerable

• Move slowly through vegetation

• Watch your step

Get Certified!

5. Be wary of predators

• They’re smart enough to watch you

• If present, check another time

6. Minimize disturbance to nest site

• Avoid startling adults

• If possible, wait for adult to leave before approaching

• Gently tap nest box before opening

• Never force a bird off of a nest

• Keep visits short

NestWatch Code of Conduct

7. Do not touch birds or

eggs

• They are easily harmed

• It’s against the law

8. Don’t leave a

dead-end trail

• Predators follow your tracks

• Take different routes

NestWatch Code of Conduct

Get Certified!

9. Respect private land

• Get permission first

• Treat with utmost respect

10. Understand the

Migratory Bird Treaty Act

NestWatch Code of Conduct

Get Certified!

“It is illegal to take, possess, import, export, transport, sell, purchase, barter, or offer for sale, any migratory bird, or the parts, nests, or eggs of such a bird except under the terms of a valid permit issued by federal and, in some cases, state agencies.”

Finding Nests

Nest structure and material are species specific

Learn the basics

Birds generally nest from March – August

Start with nest boxes

Patience is key

Finding Nests

During nest building

• Follow birds carrying grass, twigs, etc.

• Map the males

• Vegetation not lush yet

• Once nest site found, BACK OFF!

During non-breeding

• Practice finding old nests

• Reveals habitat preferences

• Birds sometimes re-use old location

During egg laying

• Females only visit nest to lay eggs

During incubation

Females may seem to disappear

Males may increase singing

Listen for short “call” notes, or alarm cries

Watch for “flushing” birds

Finding Nests

Finding Nests

During nestling phase

• Birds go back to showing you the way

• Frequent feeding trips and removing fecal sacs

• Young begging for food

Nest Monitoring Protocol

• Remember nest location

• Add a new nest site to your records

• Visit nest every 3-4 days

• Visit nest one last time

• Record observations online

• Record nest summary information

Day 1 Day 3 Day 5

Day 8 Day 10 Day 12

Day 15 Day 17 Day 19

Bluebird Nesting

Males claim site by placing grass in box

Nest made from dry grass lined with finer grass

Female take 4-11 days to build nest; up to 1 week before first egg

Blue to white eggs (4-6 average)

One egg laid per day

Incubation 12-16 days

Young in nest 15-20 days

2-3 broods possible

Nests Along the Trail

Black-capped Chickadee – use moss, animal hair and lichen. Small white eggs with reddish brown flecks

Tree Swallow – Dry grass similar to bluebird but lined with feathers and white eggs

Nests Along the Trail

House Wren – bulky base of twigs. Eggs white with rust specks

House Sparrow –Long grass, weeds, feathers and trash. Off-white eggs with gray/brown spots

Nests and eggs should be removed!

Provides information on birds, nest identification and monitoring in the Learn section. You can also look up NestWatch Chapters.

Easy to add or remove data as needed

Stores Data from Previous Years

45

2120

7

27

16

10

4

53

30

23

1

26

18

51

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

Eastern Bluebird Tree Swallow House Wren Black-capped

Chickadee

Nu

mb

er o

f N

ests

Species Nesting

Nest Success Within Cleveland Metroparks

Total Nests 2012

Success 2012

Total Nests 2013

Success 2013

26-Jan

15-Feb

7-Mar

27-Mar

16-Apr

6-May

26-May

15-Jun

5-Jul

25-Jul

2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013

First Egg Date (NCR/SCR/ECR)

Eastern Bluebird

Tree Swallow

House Wren

Black-capped Chickadee

Questions?