States across the northeast and southeast are participating in a coordinated nightjar survey to collect population distribution and trend data on Whip-poor-wills and Chuck-will's Widows May 24-June 8.  Standardized survey protocols call for coverage of a route with 10 stops that are each located one mile apart, with 6 minutes of data collection (listening for nightjars) at each point.  Ideally, two observers participate and record data at the same time along the same route.  Portions of BBS routes can be used, or participants may create their own routes.  Surveys must be carried out under certain conditions that include sufficient moonlight, thus the dates from May 24- June 8.  Routes only need to be surveyed once and we are looking for coverage state-wide.  I especially encourage those of you that cover BBS routes to do this along stops 1-19, using every other stop for a total of 10 points.  Additional routes are also easy to set up.
These data are needed to assess how our nightjars are doing across the region as well as in the state.  The protocol is easy to follow and can be downloaded at the Southeastern Nightjar Survey webpage by following the link found at Center for Conservation Biology website: http://www.ccb-wm.org.
Please contact me if you would like more information or would like to cover a route!  It won't take much time or effort, but can make a great deal of difference in our understanding and conservation of these species.
Gwen Brewer
Waldorf, MD