I wanted to let people know about a couple of Citizen Science projects that I?m participating in, projects monitoring nesting birds. I?m learning a lot about breeding biology just by watching the birds nesting in my yard!

The UW Burke Museum has a Nest Record Card Program that is documenting the timing of nesting here in Washington. Nest Record Cards ask for basic information about nest site and construction, egg and nestling numbers, and parental behavior. The Burke is hoping to have records from all over the state that span a number of years. You can read more about the program at: http://www.washington.edu/burkemuseum/collections/ornithology/phenology/index.php

Cornell University?s Laboratory of Ornithology has a similar program for cavity nesting birds called The Birdhouse Network. This program is national in scope and has already resulted in many scientific publications based on the data provided by ordinary citizens interested in birds. (Saying that always makes me think of Judith Beasley, the Lily Tomlin character who says ?I am not an actress but a regular person?.?) See http://www.birds.cornell.edu/birdhouse

All information submitted, even for common species, is valuable!
If you?re interested in the Nest Record Card Program let me know and I can send you some cards.

Mike Donahue
Seattle
Associate Curator, Nest Record Card Program
Regional Ambassador, The Birdhouse Network