NEW Nightjar Citizen Science Surveys
Interested in surveying for Common Nighthawks or Common Poorwills in Montana?
Join our newest citizen science project!
The arrival of warm summer nights in Montana also brings two expertly camouflaged and bat-like fliers to Montana’s grasslands: Common Poorwills and Common Nighthawks. We are looking for volunteers to survey these cryptic, data-deficient species across the state.
Thanks to support from the Tracy Aviary, Montana Audubon is collaborating with Montana Fish, Wildlife, and Parks to gather data on the population and location of these birds. Common Poorwills are a Species of Greatest Inventory Need and a Potential Species of Concern in Montana. Common Nighthawks lack statewide population and distribution data and are declining across their range nationally.
Collecting data on these species will allow scientists and conservationists to more accurately assess the conservation status and needs of Poorwills and Nighthawks, which would not be possible without citizen scientists like you!
Common Poorwill. Photo by Dan Ellison.
Survey Details
- Each survey is conducted along a driving route, and consists of 10 points, at least one mile apart.
- Common Poorwill routes have a set of predetermined coordinates, while Common Nighthawk routes have a general starting area, and the exact points are chosen by the volunteers surveying the route.
- Routes are focused in areas that lack population and location data.
Survey Period & Timing
- June 1 to August 10
- Surveys start 60 minutes before sunset, and must be completed by 90 minutes after sunset
- Surveys can either be completed one time during the survey period with a team of two people surveying at once, or two times on different nights along the same route by one surveyor
Visit the Citizen Science website to see the survey location map and to learn more about these surveys.
In-person & Virtual Training Options
No experience required!
We’ll go over everything you need to know, including species identification, how to sign up for a survey site, survey protocol, and data collection.
Mark your calendars to join us at one of our upcoming training sessions:
- May 9 | 6 p.m. | In-person @ Montana Audubon Center in Billings
- May 14 | 7 p.m. | Zoom (recording will be available)
- June 27 | 7 p.m. | In-person @ Montana WILD Center Auditorium in Helena
Interested In Participating?
Fill out the interest form or email Gwynne at gwynne@mtaudubon.org.
For more information on these surveys and our other Citizen Science projects, visit the Montana Audubon Citizen Science website.
