Nest Watching? Sounds (awfully) boring, but read on…

By | May 3, 2008 | Citizen Science | 6 Comments

While the Science Cheerleader’s goal is to advocate public participation in science, promote citizen science opportunities, and to be a conduit between science and the people, I must admit, I don’t share the passion many folks have for–arguably the most popular citizen science activity–watching, uh, birds. And I mean, many folks: According to ebird, in 2006 alone, participants reported more than 4.3 million bird observations across North America.

If you’re a bird watcher, talk to me. Tell me and my 8.5 loyal readers what we’re missing here. Perhaps, I’ve spent too much time “watching” (glaring in disgust at) city pigeons with bad attitudes? I digress.

I am, however, a sucker for baby birdies so I was oddly excited to read uber citizen scientist Terrie Miller’s recent post about Cornell University’s Nest Watch initiative.

Nest Watch

“Anyone can monitor nests – it’s a rewarding way to spend time outdoors and participate in science,” states the simple and inviting Nest Watch site. And, according to Terrie, “Watching a bird’s nest is a fascinating experience. Nest building is intricate and a delight to watch. Baby birds grow shockingly fast…suddenly, they’re as big as adult birds and taking their first flights.”

Come to think of it, I’ve never seen a baby pigeon, let alone a pigeon nest. A new challenge for the Science Cheerleader. I’ll report back on my Nest Watch experience and I hope you’ll do the same. But read on. This next piece of information is key.

Plagiarized from Cornell’s Nest Watch site:

Why is it important? Global environmental monitoring must include monitoring of biological organisms if we wish to understand the causes of and solutions for species declines.

What is involved? “Citizen scientists” submit their nest records (include information about nest site location, habitat, species, and number of eggs, young, and fledglings) to an online database

How will the data be used? Once fully populated, the database will house nearly 400,000 stored nest records spanning more than 40 years and 500 species. The ability to collect large amounts of data over time and space is the single greatest power of the citizen-science method of data collection. Long-term data sets are vital to scientists seeking to unravel the effects of climate and land-use changes on wild bird populations.

Hmmmm, I’m starting to better understand the appeal of bird watching.

Cheers!
The Science Cheerleader

  • http://www.nestwatch.org Kitty

    With over 2,300 NestWatch participants, we are starting to see our database grow, with New York, Ohio, and Pennsylvania leading the way for the most number of reported nest attempts.

  • http://www.nestwatch.org Kitty

    With over 2,300 NestWatch participants, we are starting to see our database grow, with New York, Ohio, and Pennsylvania leading the way for the most number of reported nest attempts.

  • Martine Decamp

    Oh!…. I’m one of those people who honestly, used to think bird-watching was for…..errr, not for me. Funny enough, after doing the usual stints that anybody with a degree in Ecology is good for (waitressing and cookie-baking) I finally found an internship in my field —travelling through Texas, living in pitched tents, and watching and capturing bronzed cowbirds. First month was slow. I had a jar of instant coffee grounds that I downed with a splash of water, waiting for the d**ed birds to show up and do something. We were infested by ticks, shunned by locals who didn’t like the East Coast, driven out of a camp-ground by a forest fire, bored out of my mind… After a while, I started warming up. The bronzed cowbird puffs himself up like a vampire and dances and sings in front of his female, then circles around her. If the female accepts, they start going at it, singing the whole time in bliss (so amusing). I learned how to capture birds in nets, and hold them in the palm of my hand –if they are on their back, they don’t fly away. (I actually used this technique when I returned home and we had a bird stuck in the garage –impressed the whole family). Once we started travelling further south in more sub-tropical areas-oh my god. There are about 500 gabillion species of birds in the tropics with color splashes all over their bodies, unique whistles, and honest to goodness, personalities. I went to Costa Rica last year, and was excited when I saw a toucan sitting on a tree, and whatever else I saw (rainy season, so not much). But, now I see it!!! Maybe not in the northeast, but go to the tropics!

  • Martine Decamp

    Oh!…. I’m one of those people who honestly, used to think bird-watching was for…..errr, not for me. Funny enough, after doing the usual stints that anybody with a degree in Ecology is good for (waitressing and cookie-baking) I finally found an internship in my field —travelling through Texas, living in pitched tents, and watching and capturing bronzed cowbirds. First month was slow. I had a jar of instant coffee grounds that I downed with a splash of water, waiting for the d**ed birds to show up and do something. We were infested by ticks, shunned by locals who didn’t like the East Coast, driven out of a camp-ground by a forest fire, bored out of my mind… After a while, I started warming up. The bronzed cowbird puffs himself up like a vampire and dances and sings in front of his female, then circles around her. If the female accepts, they start going at it, singing the whole time in bliss (so amusing). I learned how to capture birds in nets, and hold them in the palm of my hand –if they are on their back, they don’t fly away. (I actually used this technique when I returned home and we had a bird stuck in the garage –impressed the whole family). Once we started travelling further south in more sub-tropical areas-oh my god. There are about 500 gabillion species of birds in the tropics with color splashes all over their bodies, unique whistles, and honest to goodness, personalities. I went to Costa Rica last year, and was excited when I saw a toucan sitting on a tree, and whatever else I saw (rainy season, so not much). But, now I see it!!! Maybe not in the northeast, but go to the tropics!

  • http://www.sciencecheerleader.com Darlene

    Thanks, Martine. I think I’m thawing to birds now. Your lovely account of your bird watching experiences may very well help turn many others onto bird watching. As detailed in the Cornell Ornithology site, tracking the migratory habits and populace of birds is critical to monitoring our global environment so any effort to learn more about birds is a worthy one. And, of course, anything I can do to impress my family and friends (like stroking a birdie to sleep in the palm of my hand) is A-OK with me!

  • http://www.sciencecheerleader.com Darlene

    Thanks, Martine. I think I’m thawing to birds now. Your lovely account of your bird watching experiences may very well help turn many others onto bird watching. As detailed in the Cornell Ornithology site, tracking the migratory habits and populace of birds is critical to monitoring our global environment so any effort to learn more about birds is a worthy one. And, of course, anything I can do to impress my family and friends (like stroking a birdie to sleep in the palm of my hand) is A-OK with me!