BECOME INVOLVED

Vacant Routes

Protocols

Data Submission

Contact Coordinator

Register to Adopt a Route

Nightjar Survey Home

Download 2-page flyer for display at bird-club meetings and other events

Participate

Thank you for your interest in the United States Nightjar Survey Network. The objective of this program is to gather and analyze data on the population distribution and trends of Nightjars.

Since surveys are only collected once per year, it takes many years of data from a route before they provide reliable information on population trends. In fact, data become more scientifically credible each additional year it is collected from the same route.

If you are considering adopting a survey route, please only do so if you can collect the data once per year for at least several consecutive years. We ask that you consider collecting data over the greatest length of time possible (5 or more years). If you are unsure that you can make a long term commitment to the survey please only adopt an existing route. Existing routes are smaller segments of the USGS Breeding Bird Survey and are balanced across geographic areas making them more easy to transfer to new participants. If you know you can commit to the survey for a longer time period you may want to consider choosing an existing route or creating one of your own that may be easier to survey on an annual basis.

There are two survey windows for 2009 (depending on geography): May 31 through June 15 and June 29 through July 15. Surveys should only be conducted within those time frames. See map for appropriate dates here)

Requirements for Participation

1. Suitable transportation to complete a survey
2. Good hearing to count birds at a distance
3. Able to recognize and differentiate calls of U.S. Nightjar Species
4. Commitment to conduct a once per year survey for 3 or more years
5. Able to schedule surveys during the survey window

Our target is to have 1-2 route starting points per county within each state. If you meet the above criteria and would like to adopt a route, view the vacancy lists and maps in your state, then contact Mike Wilson, e-mail (preferred): mdwils@wm.edu, or phone 757-221-1649 to register. Please place Nightjar Survey in the subject line of your email.

Existing Nightjar Survey routes are based on shortened segments of USGS Breeding Bird Survey (BBS) routes. Please verify that you can gain access to roads that are embedded within public lands, such as National Wildlife Refuges or state game lands, at night before you choose to register. Please contact the public land manager in these instances before route adoption

Each Nightjar Survey route consists of 10 roadside stops, placed one mile apart. For more information on routes select the link below:

See a running list of route vacancies in your state or information on creating your own route by clicking here.

Learn how to conduct a survey by viewing and downloading instructions by clicking here.

Photo of Chuck-will's Widow by Teta Kain