Finished! Looks like this project is out of data at the moment!
This is the last of our shore and wetland birds. The data from this collection is invaluable a we've seen sharp declines in many of these species over the past 30 years.
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 Double-crested Cormorant and Great Blue Heron, Carl Bergstrom/Macaulay Library
Icon image of Wilson’s Plover, Sharon Wilcox/Macaulay Library
Collage & Tutorial:
Eastern Wagtail, Frederic Liu/Macaulay Library at the Cornell Lab.
Black Tern, Carmen Alvarez Montalban/Macaulay Library at the Cornell Lab.
Double-crested Cormorant, Nicole Martin/Macaulay Library at the Cornell Lab.
Willet, Ben Filreis /Macaulay Library at the Cornell Lab.
American Oystercatcher, Doug Johnson/Macaulay Library at the Cornell Lab.
Black-necked Stilt, Hal and Kirsten Snyder/Macaulay Library at the Cornell Lab.
Herring Gull, John Groskopf/Macaulay Library at the Cornell Lab.
American Bittern, Johan Antus/Macaulay Library at the Cornell Lab.
Common Loon, Ribin Ohrt/Macaulay Library at the Cornell Lab.
Great Blue Heron, Alison Bentley/Macaulay Library at the Cornell Lab.
Cattle Egret, Marina Ribeiro/Macaulay Library at the Cornell Lab.
Little Blue Heron, Donald Fullmer/Macaulay Library at the Cornell Lab.
Great Egret, Gary Leavens/Macaulay Library at the Cornell Lab.
Wilson’s Plover, Karl Wirth/Macaulay Library at the Cornell Lab.