2015 Survey Season News

1. Survey Protocol Updates for 2015

Results from the 2014 Annual Report and more recent analyses suggested that the new BC Nightjar Survey protocols could use a bit more adjustment to ensure that we are surveying for both species of nightjar at the optimal times. The 2015 protocol documents are still being finalized, and will be posted to the WildResearch website early next week. In the meantime, here is a preview of the changes we are making, so you can start planning for your 2015 survey season.

Survey Period
The survey period for both zones will be later and shorter in 2015. Last year’s survey periods were long so that we could collect data on when the best time to survey for both species is. Well the results are in, and the survey periods for 2015 will be:
 
            June 15 – July 15 in the One Species Zone
            June 10 – July 10 in the Two Species Zone
 
The survey periods are later this year to make sure we adequately survey Common Nighthawks, which are one of the last migratory bird species to arrive on the breeding grounds. The Two Species Zone survey period starts a bit earlier than in the One Species Zone to ensure surveys are still conducted when Common Poorwills are calling frequently.
 
In order to help us ensure we are surveying these two species with different life histories at optimal times, we would like to explore the possibility of surveying each route twice. Would you, as a BC Nightjar Survey volunteer, be willing to survey your route twice in a season, or would that reduce your willingness to participate? Please help us answer this question by completing a short three question survey. See newsletter item “Survey Frequency Questionnaire” below for details.
 
Moon Phase – Two Species Zone Only
There will be no requirement to survey within one week of the full moon to ensure surveyors volunteers can still make it out to survey; however, there will be strongly recommended survey dates included in the Two Species Zone protocol. Our analyses suggest that Common Poorwills are up to twice as detectable when surveys are conducted within one week of the full moon and when the moon is above the horizon.
 
The recommended survey dates for the Two Species Zone are June 24 – July 8.
 
Data Collection & Submission
Surveyors will no longer need to record a line on the nightjar detection sheet for stations at which no birds were detected, which will simplify data collection and entry. Station conditions (e.g., wind, number of cars) will still need to be recorded at each station.
 
We are in the process of building an online data atlas with the Community Mapping Network that will allow for online data entry. The atlas is unlikely to be ready for 2015, so surveyors will be given several options for 2015 data submission including direct submission of datasheets (scanned or hard copy), or a simplified excel template.

2. Upcoming 2015 Survey Season

With the survey season just around the corner in June, we are getting everything ready to sign volunteers up again! We are pleased to announce that both Elly and Virginia will be co-coordinating the program in 2015, and we look forward to communicating with you!
 
Emails will be sent out this coming weekend (April 11 & 12) to offer 2014 volunteers priority on their previous routes and any currently unassigned routes.
 
In the meantime, we are updating the route mapping to add all the new survey station locations and remove any routes that were unsafe or inaccessible. If you have any major concerns about the route you conducted last year, please email Elly at nightjars@wildresearch.ca with your route name and concerns as soon as possible.

3. BC Nightjar Survey Receives Funding for 2015

WildResearch is excited to announce that the Bird Studies Canada Baillie Fund and the BC Naturalists’ Foundation have generously contributed funding to 2015 BC Nightjar Survey. The funding will be used to conduct orientation sessions in more locations, and to continue building infrastructure to develop the BC Nightjar Survey as a long-term monitoring program.

For a list of funders that make WildResearch's programs possible, see the 'Supporters' page of our website.               

1. BC Nightjar Survey Mentioned in Proposed Recovery Strategy for the Common Nighthawk

The proposed recovery strategy for the Common Nighthawk was recently posted by Environment Canada, and mentions the BC Nightjar Survey as an “Action Currently Underway” (Section 6.1). Systematic surveys such as the BC Nightjar Survey are identified in the document as a top priority for species recovery. The proposed Recovery Strategy for the Common Nighthawk is posted for public consultation and comment until May 11, 2015. The Recovery Strategy is available on Environment Canada's website here.

2. BC Nightjar Survey Article in BC Nature Magazine

The BC Nightjar Survey was recently highlighted in an article in BC Nature Magazine. The article summarized the incredible success of the 2014 survey season, features a Common Nighthawk photo by BC Nightjar Survey volunteer Warren Lee, and thanks all you citizen scientist volunteers for your hard work! For those of you who are BC Nature members, you can find the article on Page 14 of the Spring edition. For those of you who aren’t BC Nature members, you can join BC Nature by joining WildResearch! As a confederated club under BC Nature, a WildResearch membership gets you all the benefits of a BC Nature membership, including the seasonal BC Nature Magazine.

3. WildResearch Invited to Discuss Survey Methodology

In addition to the long-term conservation objectives of the BC Nightjar Survey, the data collected by you also contributes to research on best survey methods for nightjars. The recent analyses conducted using BC Nightjar Survey data have been well-received by the nightjar research community in North America. WildResearch has been invited to discuss Common Nighthawk survey methodology with Environment Canada and to continue discussions with the Partners in Flight Western Working Group on nightjar protocols in the United States. We look forward to these protocol discussions, and continuing to study these cryptic species with nightjar researchers across North America!