Finished! Looks like this project is out of data at the moment!
Inspiring! All Nest Quest Go! projects are now complete! With heart-felt gratitude to all those who have engaged with this work over the past five years! And there are many of you who have devoted thousands of hours in volunteer time--The Cornell Lab of Ornithology thanks you! Stay tuned for more formal communication once the classification data is downloaded, processed, and added to our NestWatch database.
FAQ
Why are historical nest records important?
Historical records provide a glimpse into the past. We know very little about the historical nesting activity of most birds. These valuable nest cards will give researchers insight about changes in bird nesting behavior over time.
What are we hoping to learn from transcribing these cards?
The potential for learning seems endless. These cards will provide a historical perspective on the lives of birds across the United States in a variety of habitats. Specifically, the cards provide information on the reproductive success of different species, their choice in nesting sites, cowbird activity, etc.
Where did all these cards come from?
The nest record cards were a part of the North American Nest Record-Card Program. For more than thirty years, starting in the 1960s, The Cornell Lab of Ornithology distributed nest record cards to people who wanted to participate in citizen-science and monitor bird nests. Participants filled out the cards and then mailed them to the Lab where they were organized and stored. Until Zooniverse came along, entering all the data into our database was too costly and time consuming.
What if I cannot read the handwriting?
Please do the best you can with transcription. The cards will be looked at multiple times. If it is impossible to read, leave the section blank.
What if I don't see a choice that makes sense or matches the card I am transcribing?
Feel free to engage with us on the Talk channel to have your questions answered.
Other questions?
Feel free to reach out to us on the Talk channel. We will monitor discussions there and provide answers to pressing questions.
Photo credit:
Banner image of female and male Eastern Bluebird: @Jason Jablonski/Macaulay Library at the Cornell Lab (ML80295761)
Icon image of Eastern Bluebird: Larry Keller on Birdshare
Collage & Tutorial:
Eastern Bluebird, Rockytopk9, Birdshare
Eastern Bluebird, John Owen, Birdshare
Eastern Bluebird Flyby, ronzigler, Birdshare
Eastern Bluebirds, David Cooney Jr, Birdshare
Eastern Bluebird Fledge Day, Deborah Bilfuco, Birdshare
Eastern Bluebird Preparations, Emma R., Birdshare
Eastern Bluebird, Jack Dean, Birdshare
Eastern Bluebird "Spread Eagle," ronzigler, Birdshare
Male Eastern Bluebird, Kevin Jack, Birdshare