HELENA – If you love birds and summer evenings and science interests you, Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks has the perfect activity for you.
FWP, Montana Audubon and Tracy Aviary are collaborating to track common nighthawks this summer to gain more data on these cryptic birds, and they are inviting citizens to help conduct surveys across the state.
The common nighthawk is a Species of Greatest Inventory Need in Montana. Their populations are nationally in decline, but more data is needed to assess conservation needs. Now through Aug. 10, citizens can help these agencies by doing passive listening surveys.
Watching a short, online training video is required, and people may choose from many survey routes across the state. Participants need to fill out a volunteer form and waiver. All of the documents and information can be found at montanabirdsurveys.weebly.com/nightjars.
The common nighthawk is a medium-sized bird with long, pointed wings, a short tail, flat head, large eyes and short beak. They roost during the day and are experts at camouflage with their buffy brown and gray coloring with white and black wing patches. Males have a white throat patch and tail band.
Common nighthawks range all across Montana, living among semi-arid grasslands, shrublands and in open ponderosa pine and juniper woodlands. They are insectivores and hunt near dawn and dusk, often sitting on roads. Surveys take a little over an hour and can be conducted while driving a 10-mile, pre-determined route. Results can be recorded on a form or via a phone app.
The survey window is 60 minutes before sunset to 90 minutes after sunset on warm, dry evenings. Each route includes 10 stops, each 1 mile apart. Surveyors get out each time with binoculars and record whether they hear calls or dives.
If you love birds and are conservation-minded, this is a quick and enjoyable activity for you and your friends and family. The more people who participate, the more data Montana can gather to help these amazing creatures!