Nest-Record Card Instructions

SPECIES: Use the complete common name from a field guide for the nesting bird.

YEAR: It's easy to overlook. We can't guess, since we often get old records.

OBSERVER: Use only one observer's name. Please provide a complete address to be used if we encounter any questions about your data.

COUNTY: Refer to the DeLorme Vermont Atlas and Gazetter, 9th edition (1996) or other suitable reference.

TOWNSHIP: see COUNTY.

LOCATION: Describe the location of the nest from the nearest town or permanent landmark. Your description should be detailed enough to get someone to within 100 feet of the nest. You may attach a copy of a topographic map or atlas page with the nest site indicated.

ELEVATION: Determined to the nearest 100 feet. Refer to the DeLorme Vermont Atlas and Gazetter, 9th edition, 1996, or a USGS topographic map.

LATITUDE AND LONGITUDE: Use the grid found on each map in the the DeLorme Vermont Atlas and Gazetter, 9th edition, 1996, USGS topographic map, or a GPS unit.

HABITAT DESCRIPTION: Describe the habitat within 100 ft around the nest. The more detail provided the better we are able to determine the exact habitat type where the nest is located. Start with general descriptions like "hardwood forest on east facing slope with a few white pines" or "sphagnum bog with shrubs and black spruce".

DOMINANT PLANTS IN HABITAT: List the common names of the dominant and co-dominant plant species within 50 feet of the nest.

NEST SITE: Circle the appropriate nest site. If you are unsure which category to circle, or none seem to apply, write your own brief description in a nearby blank area or in comments on the back and circle "14 other".

NEST PLANT: If the nest was found in a plant, circle one of the four choices for position. 01- nest was in a totally live plant, 02- nest was in a plant that was partially live, but the nest was located in the dead portion of the plant, 03- nest was in a plant that was partially live, and the nest was located in the live portion of the plant, and 04- nest in a dead plant. An example of a partially live plant would be a tree with a dead top or dead branches. If the nest was on the dead branch it would be coded as 02, but if it was in a live branch of a tree that has some dead branches it would be coded 03.

HEIGHT OF NEST ABOVE GROUND OR WATER: Please indicate if NOT in feet and inches. Measure from the surface of the ground or water to the rim of the nest if an open cup nest, or to the bottom of the entrance hole if it is a cavity nest. This measurement should be taken after the nesting attempt has terminated. Write "estimate" or "exact" beside the height.

PRINCIPAL PLANT OR STRUCTURE SUPPORTING NEST: The common name of the plant or a short description of the structure (barn beam, house eve, porch light, etc.).

Each line refers to a different visit by the observer to the nest. Please indicate DAY, MONTH and TIME in the appropriate boxes.

EGGS: Write the number of whole eggs of the host species. Write the number of broken eggs under COMMENTS. Write the number of COWBIRD EGGS under COWBIRD EGGS only.

YOUNG: Write the number of live nestlings of the host species. Write the number of dead nestlings under COMMENTS. Write the number of COWBIRD YOUNG under COWBIRD YOUNG only.

COMMENTS: This is the place for your notes, especially on:

• condition of nest

• condition of eggs - warm, cold, pipped, damaged...

• condition of young - naked, downy, eyes open or closed, dead, feathered, near fledging...

• actions of adult birds

• local disturbances - weather, predators noted, construction...

• action by observer - removed cowbird eggs, flushed female accidentally...

MULTIPLE NESTING: If it is known that a pair had more than one nesting attempt in a season then write the number of the nest here. Write "1" for the first nesting, "2" for the second, etc. Make a separate card for each nesting attempt and staple the cards together.

FINAL NEST FATE: Circle the choice that best fits and give evidence under COMMENTS. If young fledged, say when. Just writing "fledged" is ambiguous, but "fledged today" and "already fledged" are clear. Good evidence for fledging are things like, "nest slightly tilted with excrement on edge" or "adults seen in area with young". When young fledge they often stretch wings and defecate on one edge of the nest. Spending a few minutes to determine if the adults and young are in the area is recommended.

How to Nest Find: A Guide

How do I visit a nest?

When should I fill out a card?

What should I do if I find a rare or endangered bird?

How many visits to a nest should I make?

Resources/Bibliography

Nest-record Card (online form)

2001 Nest-record Program Report

Download a nestcard (Microsoft Word document)

Vermont Nest Records Home