We are looking for help covering two routes in Vernon and South Tunbridge! Email Sara Zahendra at szahendra@vtecostudies.org to sign up.
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.
These roadside counts occur on nights of “high lunar illumination”, when the moon is at least half full, completely above the horizon, and not obscured by clouds. At ten locations along a road, spaced at one-mile intervals, you’ll listen for six minutes and count the number of whip-poor-wills heard during each minute. You will also record data on weather conditions (cloud cover, wind) and ambient noise levels.
Note that zero counts, in which you do not hear a nightjar at any point, are valuable sources of data in our efforts to monitor whip-poor-will populations.
If you have any questions, contact our Volunteer Coordinator Dana at dwilliams@vtecostudies.org.
