Welcome to Project NestWatch!

Bird Studies Canada (BSC), in collaboration with provincial and regional  Nest records schemes across Canada, is launching a new national program called Project NestWatch. Like other programs coordinated by BSC, Project NestWatch is based on the volunteer efforts of many bird watchers and field naturalists like you. The project is made possible with financial support from the George Cedric Metcalf Foundation. 

What is Project NestWatch?
Project NestWatch is aimed at following the health of bird populations through long-term monitoring of nesting activity across Canada. Data gathered from this project will provide valuable information on the state of the wider environment, as birds are good indicators of the state of the habitat they live in. 

To participate in Project NestWatch, one needs to find a bird's nest, follow it through the nesting season and report his or her observations. Although we would like data on all bird species, we are particularly keen to get observations on common species, to ensure a big enough sample sizes for statistical analysis. We have chosen the American Robin as a special focus, because it occurs right across Canada, the nests and the birds are fairly easy to identify so that even beginning birders can participate, the nests are fairly easy to find, and Robins are somewhat tolerant of people observing their nests. Robins nest in city backyards as well as in the wider countryside so no matter where you live (south of the tree line), you can try to find a nest and join the project!

This project is web-based, meaning that all of the information participants need is found on this web site, including a page to enter nest record data. There is no fee to participate in Project NestWatch and everyone can contribute data from as many nests as they like. To do so, people will first have to create an online profile; from there, data can be entered and modified as needed.

Joining Project NestWatch is simple:

1. Read our section Before You Start Looking for Nests that explains how to participate and what information you should collect.

2. Find an active nest (here are some tips to help you), make a few visits to it until it succeeds (at least one young fledges) or fails and record your observations about nest contents and nearby habitat.

3. Register online, by creating your personal profile.

4. Complete the online data form to report the information you have gathered.

Specific goals of Project NestWatch:

• Involve amateur bird watchers, naturalists and young people in studies related to birds;

• Gather long-term data on bird populations throughout Canada;

• Inform the general public of existing nest record schemes across Canada; and

• Provide direct feedback to project participants and the general public regarding bird population trends.

What can we learn from Project NestWatch? 

Nest monitoring can provide much information that is not available in any other way about the health of bird populations and the impact of human activities on birds. With data gathered through Project NestWatch, we can:

Photo: Bird Studies Canada

• Monitor changes in clutch size, nesting success and predation rates over time and relate these changes to long-term modifications in habitat or climate (e.g., global warming);

• Evaluate the impact of predators on nesting success;

• Document basic breeding biology such as nesting habitat, nest site selection, incubation period, renesting, etc.;

• Document the breeding distribution of birds in Canada.

Brief history of Nest Record Schemes in Canada
For about forty years now, bird nesting records reported by people across Canada have been collected and analysed for numerous scientific studies. Canadians use a methodology that was first developed in England in 1939 as an initiative of the British Trust for Ornithology. A nest record scheme coordinator has been appointed for every region of Canada and is responsible for providing necessary information and support to interested bird watchers. We hope that by developing Project NestWatch, people will become aware of their opportunities to participate in gathering valuable information on birds and will want to find nests, follow them through the nesting season and report their observations. All data collected over the Internet through Project NestWatch will be made available to each regional scheme and added to the growing number of records.

To view the names and contact information of regional coordinators of Nest Record Schemes in Canada, click here. 

Enjoy your summer and we look forward
 in receiving your nest records.