Citizen Science Updates

The 2001 nesting season marked the fifth year that The Birdhouse Network has been collecting and analyzing nest-box data from citizen scientists. These data are valuable for the continued study and conservation of cavity-nesting birds. It was a stellar year for participant data submission. As of mid-November, nearly 43 percent of participants had sent us data, shattering the previous year's record of 37 percent. Participants submitted data on more than 6,500 nest boxes and reported on the outcomes of more than 6,000 nest attempts.

Monitoring nest boxes is fun. It's thrilling to watch seemingly lifeless pale blue eggs hatch into wriggling, cheeping nestlings that beg for food each time they sense a presence other than their own. But monitoring boxes is more than just fun - it's scientifically important. Our participants collect data on a variety of aspects of their nest boxes and the nesting attempts that take place in them. Lab scientists then use these data to study the biology and conservation of cavity-nesting birds.

In addition to important biological data, such as clutch size and numbers of fledglings, The Birdhouse Network's participants report information on physical and habitat characteristics such as nest-box type, height, entrance hole size and shape, orientation, pesticide usage, and predator deterrence methods. From these data, we can evaluate any number of relationships, including the correlation between type of predator guard and nest failure; orientation of boxes and nesting success (Birdscope Spring 2001); box-occupancy rates and habitat type; and pesticide use and reproductive performance.
In this issue, we highlight selected data from the last five breeding seasons. View our complete five-year report containing additional species and more comprehensive coverage at The Birdhouse Network web site.