WildResearch Nightjar Survey News

1. BC Nightjar Survey Annual Report Available Online
 
Following on the tail of the expansion of the BC Nightjar Survey in 2014, WildResearch has published the first Annual Report for the program, and it is now available on the WildResearch website at http://wildresearch.ca/about-us/resources/. This first edition of the Annual Report contains:

• Maps of where Common Nighthawks and Common Poorwills were found in 2014
• How many citizen scientists participated in 2014 (hint: volunteer effort increased 500% between 2013 and 2014!)
• Preliminary analysis of how effective the 2014 protocol changes were
• Next steps and long-term goals for the BC Nightjar Survey
• A survey route highlight and a citizen scientist highlight
• And much more!

Be sure to check it out and learn more about the contributions that you make to the BC Nightjar Survey!
 
 
2. 2014 Volunteer Survey Results
 
WildResearch would like to send a huge thank you to everyone who participated in the survey we circulated last fall. We received valuable feedback from 36 volunteers! The responses from the survey have been incredibly helpful in directing our initiatives for the 2015 survey season. Here are the results of a few of the questions we asked:
 

• Did you find the level of detail in the protocol appropriate?
  • 94% Enough information
  • 6% Too much information
• Did you like the data entry process?
  • 71% Yes
  • 29% No
• Are you interested in conducting a BC Nightjar Survey again in the future?
  • 100% Yes!

In particular, we received some great ideas for content for the Annual Report. The comments in regards to data entry also helped us identify that we need to improve the data entry process, and this is one of the projects we are working on for the 2015 survey season.
 
Thanks again to all the respondents! Also a reminder that we're open to feedback about the BC Nightjar Survey at any time, especially as we continue to develop it into a long-term survey program. Email us your comments, questions, and concerns to nightjars@wildresearch.ca.
 
3. BC Nightjar Survey Data to be Hosted on NatureCounts
 
WildResearch is thrilled to announce that we have partnered with Bird Studies Canada to host the BC Nightjar Survey data on their open access portal, NatureCounts! NatureCounts is a web portal managed by Bird Studies Canada that facilitates the collection, management, analysis, and sharing of natural inventory and monitoring data. WildResearch believes that the BC Nightjar Survey data collected for free by citizen scientists should be freely available for use. In the next couple weeks, all volunteer-collected BC Nightjar Survey data dating back to 2010 will be uploaded to the NatureCounts portal so that it can be accessed by researchers anywhere. To learn more about NatureCounts, visit the website at http://www.birdscanada.org/birdmon/.
 
 
4. Seeking Common Nighthawk Nest Records
 
Have you ever found a Common Nighthawk nest?
 
One of the research objectives for the 2015 BC Nightjar Survey is to begin studying nest site fidelity of the Common Nighthawk. In other words, how likely it is that a Common Nighthawk will come back to the same spot to nest year after year? Nighthawk experts believe that nest site fidelity is very high; however, there has been no research done to thoroughly document and support this idea. Understanding Common Nighthawk nest site fidelity will help us understand their habitat use and develop conservation management plans for this federally Threatened species.
 
You can help us study Common Nighthawk nest site fidelity by contributing records of Common Nighthawk nests from the last five years. Because Common Nighthawk nests are so cryptic and difficult to find, your contribution of a nest record is very valuable. Records with location information (especially coordinates) are most useful, and photos would also be very helpful for our research. If you have a record to contribute, email us at nightjars@wildresearch.ca. Thank you!
 
 
5. Upcoming 2015 Survey Season
 
We couldn't put together the first BC Nightjar Survey newsletter without at least mentioning the upcoming 2015 survey season! Needless to say, WildResearch is really looking forward to it. Our plans for 2015 include improved data entry and waiver systems. When it comes to sign-up, all 2014 volunteers will be offered priority to their previous assigned routes, and all previous volunteers will be offered priority sign up on unassigned routes prior to public advertisement. Elly will be in touch in early April about signing up for 2015. We don't expect another 500% increase in volunteer participation, but we certainly hope to survey even more routes in 2015!
 
 
6. Support Us! Become a WildResearch Member
 
Do you like the BC Nightjar Survey? Well it's just one of several comprehensive citizen science programs run by the non-profit organization, WildResearch! WildResearch believes that citizen science is an effective tool for conservation because it enables systematic, widespread monitoring and research of flora and fauna while offering skills and training to community members and fostering a connection with nature. All of our programs are designed by the WildResearch Board of Directors, a group of young and passionate professional biologists with extensive experience and knowledge. Our other major programs include the Iona Island Bird Observatory in Richmond, BC and Butterfly Monitoring. We also hold annual pelagic birding trips off the coast of Vancouver Island, workshops, and more.
 

• Becoming a WildResearch member will allow you to participate in these other programs, and much more! In addition, WildResearch is a federated club of BC Nature, so you become a BC Nature member when you sign up with WildResearch For those of you who don't live in the Lower Mainland, there are plenty of remote benefits to membership as well:
• A weekly newsletter with exclusive content on current conservation research in BC and professional opportunities.
• Advanced notice to sign up on our pelagic birding trips.
• Quarterly BC Nature Magazine.
• Opportunity to participate in BC Nature activities, meetings, and conferences.
• Year long liability to participate in WildResearch events. This means you won't need to sign a day membership waiver when you complete your BC Nightjar Survey route!

At just shy of five years old, WildResearch is an entirely volunteer-run organization. Joining us as a member will help us continue to run our programs, and increase the voice of our organization as we become increasingly recognized for our contributions to conservation. If you'd like to support us in other ways, WildResearch is a also a federal registered charity.
 
Visit www.wildresearch.ca to learn more about us. Support us by becoming a member or making a donation today.