Nightjar citizen science training May 9 at Audubon Center

BILLINGS – Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks and Montana Audubon are hosting a nightjar citizen science training on Friday, May 9, at the Montana Audubon Center (7026 S. Billings Blvd.) from 6-7:30 p.m. The training will include a presentation on Montana’s two nightjar species—common nighthawks and common poorwills—and details on citizen science survey efforts this summer.

Both common nighthawks and common poorwills are lacking population and distribution data in Montana, and FWP and Montana Audubon are looking for the public’s help in detecting the bird species this summer. These bird species are ariel insectivores that are most active at dusk and dawn and use unique camouflage to blend in seamlessly to their habitat. While this is beneficial for the birds, it makes visual detection more challenging for surveys.

Common poorwills are considered a Species of Greatest Inventory Need and a Potential Species of Concern in Montana due to minimal data. Common nighthawks are also a Species of Greatest Inventory Need in Montana and are experiencing population declines in much of their national range. Citizen science efforts this summer will increase survey capacity and data on these species and allow FWP and Montana Audubon to more effectively manage the status and needs of nighthawks and poorwills.

Citizen scientists will need to participate in this or other trainings before participating in field surveys this summer. Field surveys will take place during both birds’ breeding seasons, between June 1 and Aug. 10, and will include late-night road surveys using binoculars and listening for the birds’ calls. Common nighthawks and common poorwills are most often found in grasslands, shrublands, and open areas throughout Montana. Both species are migratory and are only present in Montana in summer months.

For more information, visit: montanabirdsurveys.weebly.com/nightjars.html.