Before
You Start
Looking for Nests
Frequently Asked
Questions (FAQ)
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Frequently asked questions about
Project NestWatch:
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If you have any question about the data entry page, please see the Frequently asked questions about Data Entry |
| Frequently asked questions about
Project NestWatch:
Who can participate? |
| Can I report nests from species other than the Robin? Yes. Although we are focusing on common species, and especially on American Robin, we will accept your data for other species. The information to collect is the same for all bird species and nests for any species can be entered on our Data Entry page. These records will be made available to nest record coordinators in each region of Canada. |
| Can I record inactive nests? No. Project NestWatch needs records of "actively used" nests, which correspond to nests that contain eggs or nestlings, or nests under active construction. Older nests from previous seasons should not be reported. |
| Can I enter data for birds in nest boxes? Yes. Remember that before looking up in nest box, you should always give it a few taps in order for the female to leave the box. If the box has a panel which opens, you can directly look at its contents. If the box was not designed to be opened, you can try using a flashlight to see inside. This method can be a little bit difficult so if you cannot see the contents properly, do not send in the data. We ask you be very careful if you need to use a ladder or stepladder! |
| How much time will this project take me? The time you devote to the project is entirely up to you. You may want to search for nests for a few days or for only a couple of hours. However, you should keep in mind that if you find a nest and want to follow it through the nesting season, you will need to give a bit of your time, possibly a few hours over two to four weeks. Although we accept nests that have been visited only once, we encourage you to make multiple visits (3-5 days apart) to the same nest as this provides us with valuable additional information. |
| Can my visits to the nest harm the birds or interfere with the nesting attempt? This is unlikely if you are cautious while moving around the nest. Observers often fear that increased predation may result from the observer leaving a track or scent-trail to nests but recent studies have shown that nests visited frequently had a similar rate of success to others left undisturbed between laying and fledging. Birds, unlike many mammals which have a good sense of smell, will continue to care for their young after being disturbed. |
| The nest is too high and I cannot see the contents. Do you have some suggestions? Yes, but the ideal method depends on the actual height of the nest. If it is less than about two metres off the ground, you may be able to see the contents using a stepladder or a ladder. Stay alert and be very careful. Breeding birds most often protect their nest by diving at potential predators like you. Do not let them break your concentration! If the nest is not accessible using a ladder but is still less than 4 or 5 metres off the ground, you can try using a long pole and a mirror attached to it. See our Finding and Monitoring Nests page for more details. In cases where the nest is more than 5 metres above ground or it is not readily accessible such as in a swamp, we recommend you do not attempt to look the contents. Your safety and the safety of the nest should be your first priority. However, if you see birds close to the nest, watch their behaviour. If you see them bring twigs or food (e.g., an insect), it means that they are building a nest or feeding young. Such observations make up a nest record and can be reported. |
| What are the data used for? Data are primarily used for long-term population monitoring and to involve people in gathering valuable information on birds nesting in Canada. Data can also be used to document the effects of climate change or other factors on breeding birds (e.g., changes in nesting dates, nesting success or distribution). Nest records data gathered since the end of the 1950's through regional nest record schemes are already used by scientists from universities and government agencies, amateur naturalists, nature writers, etc. |
I already sent my nest records to a regional scheme. What should I do? |
| What should I do if I see a young bird fallen out of the nest? Although this may be difficult to accept, the general rule in such a case is to refrain from doing anything and hope for the best. Most attempts to save the bird (especially a bird that may not need to be saved in the first place) will do more harm than good. Therefore, examine the situation carefully before attempting anything. It is not uncommon that birds will wander a short distance from the nest during the last days before fledging, and if parents are around, they will continue to care for them. Look at the feathers, especially the wing feathers to see if they are well opened. If so, it is best to leave the bird where you find it, unless there is an immediate risk such as a cat nearby, in which case you may try to find a secure place on a higher branch near where you found the bird. If the bird is younger (e.g., feathers not completely opened and not covering the entire body), you should attempt to place the young back in its nest. If the nest is too high, you can try building a little improvised platform (e.g., a small plastic container lined with small twigs) and placing it on a branch. Then, leave the nest alone and if you want to observe the parents coming back, do so from a distance. What you should not do:
Remember that the longer you stay with the young, the smaller will be its chances of surviving. |
| Where can I find models to build nest boxes? In books. Your public library or local book store should have a few books on the subject of nest boxes. Here are two books with complete information related to nest boxes:
On the Internet. Many web sites provide information on nest boxes. We recommend two sites that offer information for a number of species:
Things to remember. If you want birds to nest successfully in your nest boxes, you should remember to:
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| Is there a fee to participate? No. There is no cost to participate in Project NestWatch. Everyone who finds an active bird nest in Canada is invited to enter his or her data on this web site. Participants may however decide to support the project by becoming a member of Bird Studies Canada (see next question). |
| What is Bird Studies Canada? Bird Studies Canada (BSC) is a private not-for-profit organization dedicated to advancing the understanding, appreciation and conservation of wild birds and their habitats, in Canada and elsewhere, through studies that engage the skills, enthusiasm and support of its members, volunteers, staff and the interested public. Many people that participate in projects coordinated by Bird Studies Canada are members. For a small annual fee of $25, BSC members receive four issues of our BirdWatch Canada publication, and can participate in any or all of these surveys free of charge: Canadian Lakes Loon Survey, Christmas Bird Count and Project FeederWatch. If you would like to become a member, please give us a call (toll free: 1-888-448-BIRD), send us an email (generalinfo@bsc-eoc.org) or a payment by mail (P.O. Box 160, Port Rowan, Ontario, N0E 1M0), or use our secure online registration page. |
| When American Robins are searching food on our lawn with their head close to the ground, are they listening for worms? No. Experiments have shown that Robins hunt by sight, not sound. If you watch them for some time, you may also observe one using its feet to thump on the ground to try stimulate some movements from the worms before catching them. |
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