Nightjar Surveys
Take a Night-jar Drive and Help These Illusive Feathered Friends .
Nightjars, like the Common Nighthawks, Common Poorwills, and Eastern Whip-poor-wills, are experiencing severe population declines, yet remain understudied species of birds due to their nocturnal nature. As a Nightjar Surveyor help conduct research and contribute to a collective of scientists that are working to characterize and conserve Nightjar habitat 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%.
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. Once registered you can choose a workshop and access the training tools on the associated linked website pages. When you look for an online training event to attend, if there isn't If you don't find a suitable date, watch the training videos online first, and contact us with questions or to book a phone/online meeting for more support!
Step 1:
Step 2: Sign up for a live workshop
Our training workshops will provide you with all the information that you need to become an expert at surveying for nightjars! We will teach you all the skills needed to gather high quality data and feel comfortable in the field! Everyone who wishes to volunteer must fill out the Workshop Sign-Up Form (if you are unable to attend a live session or are a returning volunteer, please select that option on the Workshop Sign-Up Form).
Those who wish to sign up for pre-recorded session:
Pre-recorded training sessions are available below for people who are unable to make a live workshop; however it is strongly encourage you to attend one because they help to build community and provide you with a chance to ask questions! If you choose to only watch a pre-recorded session you will be required to complete our Nightjar Survey Quiz. Also, please note: you must still fill out the Workshop Sign-Up Form and indicate that you are unable to make any of the live workshops.
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 3: Watch our training videos & read the protocols
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
These resources were researched, prepared and/or edited by Emma Halupka, Conservation Technician
Step 4: Read the Safety Protocols & Complete the Quizzes
Safety is of the utmost important at all times. Please make sure that you download and carefully read the Safety Protocol below. After you have completed reading the protocol, click the "Safety Quizzes" button below 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.
Road Safety Training Video
Outdoor Hazards Safety Training Video
Want to learn more about nightjars & other birds? Read our blogs!
These opportunities and activities have been generously supported by:
