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Northwest Nest Record Program

Did you know that Red-winged Blackbirds breed over a week earlier on the west side of the Cascades than they do in the Columbia Basin, but that their clutches are larger in the Columbia Basin? Robins, on the other hand, show no difference in breeding times or clutch size between western and eastern Washington. This is the kind of information that the Pacific Northwest Nest Record Card Program (NRCP) can provide us.

The NRCP currently has over 11,000 records, but the vast majority are from 1950 to 1975. During the last two decades there has been little organized effort to add to the collection; nevertheless, a few ardent bird watchers and ornithology students have continued to send in records. The Ornithology Section of the Burke Museum is now rejuvenating the program and seeks observers to participate.  While the number of records may seem large, many species are poorly represented and there are few records from most areas of the state. Furthermore, as the repository of records for the entire Northwest, we seek records from Oregon, Idaho, Montana and British Columbia as well as Washington.

What use is made of the records already collected? Data from the NRCP were combined with egg collection records and other data from earlier in the century and entered on a computer database.  Analysis of this information produced a breeding phenology of Washington land birds. Its publication as a book of approximately 150 pages awaits final editing and funding.  NRCP data were also used by some of the people participating in the Washington State Breeding Bird Atlas Project.

What of the future? All records are now numbered and being filed phylogenetically and by state. The computer database will be revised and updated.   Information will be available to research scientists and other interested parties.

The success of the Pacific Northwest NRCP depends completely on the observations contributed by you, the Northwest birder. A few strategically timed visits to the nests that you find each spring will yield valuable information to bird watchers and scientists if you take a few minutes to fill out a nest record card. Incubation and nestling periods for many common Washington breeders such as Rufous Hummingbirds, Western Tanagers, Western Wood-pewees, and Savannah Sparrows are poorly known. Many common species are represented by only a few records.

If you would like to join the Nest Record Card Program and contribute to this growing archive of nesting information contact:
    Mike Donahue, mgd@myuw.net, or call (206) 323-9889 or (206) 543-1668.

Request the number of nest record cards you would like and we'll send them promptly.   Each nest requires its own card.

For more information, see http://www.washington.edu/burkemuseum/collections/ornithology/phenology/index.php

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