Nightjar Surveys
Take a Night-jar Drive and Help These Elusive Feathered Friends
Nightjars, like the Common Nighthawks and Eastern Whip-poor-wills, are experiencing severe population declines, yet remain understudied species of birds due to their cryptic behaviour.
Nightjar Surveyors help collect a collective data to support the conservation of populations in The Land Between bioregion and beyond!
Thank you for your interest in helping save our fading feathered friends.
Whippoorwill and Common Nighthawks are nightjar species and they are most active in the evenings. They are also aerial insectivores, relying on flying insects as a major food source. Aerial insectivores have declined globally by approximately 75%. Over 90% of terrestrial songbirds rely on insects.
Surveys require a team of two and a vehicle. They take place within one week of the full moon in June on designated routes and in the evening.
If you are interested in helping, please register below. Contact us with questions or to book a phone/online meeting for more support!
Step 1:
Returning volunteers:
If you are a returning volunteer you are not required to attend another workshop session; however we strongly encourage you to attend one so you can re-familiarize yourself with protocols and our team. Please note: you must still fill out the Workshop Sign-Up Form and indicate that you are a returning volunteer.
Step 2: Guidebooks and Safety Training
Our training videos will provide you with all the information that you need to become an expert at surveying for nightjars!
NOTE: THERE ARE DANGERS WHEN WORKING ON AND AROUND ROADWAYS! PLEASE BE SURE TO TAKE THE SAFETY TRAINING AVAILABLE BELOW.
Nightjars are very cryptic birds making them hard to spot. Our training will teach you how to listen for nightjars and where you can typically find them. Watch the training videos below, then download and read the Nightjar Surveying Protocol, Nightjar Surveys Data Sheets and Outdoor Safety Tips to familiarize yourself with the actions that will take place on Nightjar Surveys.
Nightjar Surveys Training 1
Nightjar Surveys Training 2
Step 3: Once you have passed your safety tests, print the field sheet and get on the road
Safety is of the utmost important at all times. Please make sure you have completed all training. Take the "Safety Quizzes" to confirm your knowledge — you must pass the quiz to join any of our community science teams. Once you have completed the quizzes, our team will be notified. Use the Data Sheet to take with you and submit back to us at citizensciencetlb@gmail.com
These opportunities and activities have been generously supported by:
Want to learn more about nightjars & other birds? Read our blogs!
