With the help of citizen scientists, each year VCE conducts a statewide, annual Eastern Whip-poor-will survey on 17 routes throughout Vermont. The survey helps us to detect dramatic changes in the Vermont population and contributes to broader efforts to detect regional changes in the northeastern population.
On nights of “high lunar illumination” (the moon is at least half full, completely above the horizon, and not obscured by clouds) you take a night walk along a roadway. At ten point counts spaced at one-mile intervals, you pause for six minutes and record whether you hear the call of individual nightjars. You will also record data on weather (cloud cover, wind) and noise levels (categorical scale, number of cars).
Note that zero counts, in which you do not hear a nightjar at any point, are not considered failed surveys, and are still useful for science.
If you have any questions, contact our Volunteer Coordinator Dana at dwilliams@vtecostudies.org.
