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Bird Studies Canada is our country’s leading science-based bird conservation organization. Our mission is to conserve wild birds of Canada through sound science, on-the-ground actions, innovative partnerships, public engagement, and science-based advocacy.
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A Brief History of Nest Record Schemes in Canada
Nest record schemes were initiated in Canada in the mid-1950s, based on a methodology first developed by the British Trust for Ornithology in 1939. British Columbia was the first province to organize a nest record scheme program. There are now nest record schemes across the country. Nest record schemes rely on volunteers - both amateurs and professionals - to collect and submit data on nesting birds. Many contributors only submit data on a few nests each year, but the number of people who participate creates an invaluable national database on nesting birds across the country.
A nest record scheme coordinator in each region of Canada provides information and support to interested birdwatchers. Originally, volunteers completed nest record cards and sent them in to regional coordinators at the end of the season. Data from all regions can now be submitted online through Project NestWatch. Many regional schemes have also been digitizing old nest record cards to make historical data available online.
Nest Record Schemes across Canada
If you have questions, or if you require traditional nest record cards (hard copies), please contact the coordinator in your region.
Newfoundland and Labrador Nest Record Scheme
John MaunderP.O. Box 8700
The Newfoundland Museum
Duckworth St., St. John's, Newfoundland, A1B 4J6
Phone: (709) 729-5077
Email: jmaunder@gov.nf.ca
Maritimes Nest Record Scheme
Becky WhittamMaritimes Nest Record Scheme
Canadian Wildlife Service
P.O. Box 6227, 17 Waterfowl Lane
Sackville, New Brunswick, E4L 1G6
Email: Becky.Whittam@ec.gc.ca
Québec Nest Record Scheme
Greg RandCanadian Museum of Nature
P.O. Box 3443, Station D
Ottawa, Ontario, K1P 6P4
Phone: (613) 566-4291
Email: GRand@mus-nature.ca
Ontario Nest Record Scheme
Mark PeckRoyal Ontario Museum
100 Queen's Park
Toronto, Ontario, M5S 2C6
Phone: (416) 586-5523
Email: onrs@rom.on.ca
Website: www.birdsontario.org/onrs/onrsmain.html
Prairie Nest Record Scheme
Website: naturealberta.ca/alberta-natural-history/bird-projects/prairie-nest-records-scheme-pnrs (also includes the Northwest Territories and Nunavut)
Cards are available free from the PNRS for each region.
In AB:
Nature AlbertaPhone: (780) 427-8124
Email: pnrs@fanweb.ca
In SK:
Royal Saskatchewan MuseumPhone: (306) 787-2859
In MB, NT, NU:
Manitoba MuseumPhone: (204) 988-0659
British Columbia Nest Record Scheme
Biodiversity Centre for Wildlife Studies3825 Cadboro Bay Road
P.O. Box 55053
Victoria, British Columbia, V8N 6L8
Phone/Fax: (250) 477-0465
Email: bcfws@shaw.ca
Website: www.wildlifebc.org/index.php?pageid=16
Important Note: To request nest cards or a nest record manual during the period 15 May to 31 July, please contact Linda Van Damme at: lvd2@shaw.ca
Yukon Nest Record Scheme
The Yukon Bird ClubP.O. Box 31054
Whitehorse, Yukon, Y1A 5P7
Email: ybc@yknet.yk.ca
Website: www.yukonweb.com/community/ybc/
Bird Studies Canada P.O. Box 160, 115 Front St., Port Rowan, ON Canada N0E 1M0
Phone:1-888-448-2473 Fax: 1-519-586-3532 E-mail: generalinfo@birdscanada.org