NestWatch Program Design & Data Uses
Through the NestWatch program, scientists hope to answer several questions... How do breeding parameters such as clutch size, nesting success, and daily nest survival vary across time and place? Can conservationists use nesting data to detect changes in the environment? What factors limit breeding success in different environments? What actions can people take to help breeding birds? (The Cornell Lab of Ornithology, 2019) The data compiled from NestWatch observations has contributed to a multitude of peer-reviewed journal articles that seek to answer some of these questions. Many of these articles can be found on the NestWatch publication page.
One study published in the Conservation Science and Practice Journal used NestWatch data to try to understand nest usurpation by non-native bird species and the role people can play in nest box management. Scientists surveyed 871 nest observers and found that nearly one-third of respondents reported witnessing an invasive bird species usurp the nest of a native species, thereby causing the nesting attempt to fail. This finding suggests that nest usurpation may be a significant source of nesting failure for certain species. They noted that the northern flicker (Colaptes auratus) and the American kestrel (Falco sparverius) experienced the highest total rates of usurpation. Given that both species are experiencing widespread population declines, this indicates that one contributing factor may be due to invasive species competition. The researchers also found that those people recording observations for NestWatch (as opposed to casual observers) were more likely to engage in management activity (i.e. preventing invasive species from usurping the nests of native species) in the nest boxes they were watching. This demonstrates the potential for citizen scientists to assist in the conservation of native species (Bailey, Faulkner‐Grant, Martin, Phillips, & Bonter, 2020).
A note on nest management: Before NestWatch participants begin their observations, they are encouraged to download and read the NestWatch Manual. The manual suggests that participants not allow invasive species such as house sparrows (Passer domesticus) and European starlings (Sturnus vulgaris) to breed in their nest boxes, and provides suggestions for both passive and active control methods. Passive methods include proper placement of nest boxes, avoiding feeding invasive species, waiting to open nest boxes until later in the season when migratory birds return, and modifying the holes of nest boxes so European starlings cannot fit through them. Active control methods include removing the nesting materials of invasive species, oiling or addling (vigorously shaking) invasive species' eggs so they are no longer viable, and trapping and humanely euthanizing invasive species (The Cornell Lab of Ornithology, 2019).
In another study using NestWatch data, researchers found that climate change has affected the breeding date of tree swallows throughout North America. Scientists examined 3,450 nest records of tree swallows from across North America and found that their egg-laying date advanced by up to 9 days between 1959 to 1991. This change was associated with increasing surface air temperatures at the time of breeding (Dunn & Winkler, 1999).
While NestWatch data is most significant for researchers, the NestWatch website also makes this information available to the public on the Explore Data page. Each year, scientists analyze that season's nesting data and publish the findings in NestWatch Digest, which anyone can download from the NestWatch website. The publication communicates NestWatch data and scientific studies in a manner that is easy for the public to understand. For example, the 2019 issue includes a short article that discusses how a recent drought affected eastern bluebird (Sialia sialis) populations and how citizen science observations are helping researchers understand these effects and in turn develop better conservation plans for these birds. I think this is a great way to engage the public so they can see how their data has contributed to scientific discoveries. The NestWatch website also has an interactive map showing where and when observed nests are located. This allows people to see their observations recorded on the map, as well as the observations of participants from around the country. Finally, individuals can also download NestWatch data by species, year, and location for their own purposes.
The NestWatch Map Room allows participants to see where and when nest observations are recorded.
As indicated above, NestWatch data contributes greatly to scientific research. However, I think that one way to strengthen the program would be to expand its geographic range. I would suggest starting by expanding to South America and the Caribbean since many North American bird species winter in these areas. In addition, Europe would be another excellent place to expand because of its plethora of urban and suburban environments. Data from this region would help scientists understand how birds adapt to different human-influenced environments.
In their paper, “Tracking the Nesting Success of North America’s Breeding Birds Through Public Participation in NestWatch”, Tina Philips and Janis Dickinson analyze the strengths and weaknesses of the program. They assert that two actions would increase its rigor. First, the program should ask a subset of citizen scientists to exhaustively search for nests over a specific, defined area. This would allow researchers to better understand nest density in certain habitats. Second, the online system should allow observers to enter banding data. This would allow NestWatch to pair its data with other data from longterm-studies of marked populations allowing for full demographic analysis (Phillips & Dickinson, 2008).
In general, I think the NestWatch program is very well designed. The website provides a plethora of information, including identification tips for common bird species as well as some facts about the species' natural history. The downloadable manual is extremely helpful for first-time participants. It includes information about the program, reiterates the nest monitor's code of conduct, shares tips on how to find a nest, and outlines how to correctly fill out the Nest Check Data Sheet. Of course, there is always the possibility that data will be incorrectly recorded, but on the online Nest Check Data Sheet, there are several stopgaps that will alert the user if the data seems inaccurate. (For example, if an observer recorded four eggs but then six hatchlings, the system will highlight this and not let the observer submit the record until this note is corrected).
Sources:
Bailey, R. L., Faulkner‐Grant, H. A., Martin, V. Y., Phillips, T. B., & Bonter, D. N. (2020). Nest usurpation by non‐native birds and the role of people in nest box management. Conservation Science and Practice, 2(5), 1–12. https://doi.org/10.1111/csp2.185
Dunn, P. O., & Winkler, D. W. (1999). Climate change has affected the breeding date of tree swallows throughout North America. Proceedings of the Royal Society of London. Series B: Biological Sciences, 266(1437), 2487–2490. https://doi.org/10.1098/rspb.1999.0950
Phillips, T., & Dickinson, J. (2008). TRACKING THE NESTING SUCCESS OF NORTH AMERICA’S BREEDING BIRDS THROUGH PUBLIC PARTICIPATION IN NESTWATCH, 633–640. Presented at the Fourth International Partners in Flight Conference, Ithaca, New York: The Cornell Lab of Ornithology.
The Cornell Lab of Ornithology. (2019). Nest Monitoring Manual. Retrieved July 25, 2020, from https://nestwatch.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/NestWatch_manual_20191106.pdf
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