Help birds and find out if our volunteer survey opportunities in Ontario are right for you.
American Woodcock Survey
American Woodcock Photo: Mark Peck
Volunteer opportunity:
The Birds Canada Ontario office is looking for a few Citizen Scientists who are interested in surveying American Woodcocks on select routes in rural Ontario.
Is it for me?
The birding skill level required is new to intermediate. These roadside routes require a driver. The available routes are on secondary roads throughout the province. The surveys are conducted in the early evenings shortly after sunset. Preference will be given to individuals who live near the routes.
Learn more and get involved:
To learn more about the American Woodcock Survey and see available routes, please visit https://www.birdscanada.org/bird-science/american-woodcock-survey/. The program coordinator is Kathy Jones: volunteer @ birdscanada.org.
North American Breeding Bird Survey
There is a need for volunteers across Ontario to participate in the North American Breeding Bird Survey (BBS). Volunteers spend a full morning tallying all birds that they see or hear during three-minute counts at 50 designated roadside stops along their route. Learn more.
Yellow Warbler Photo: Grant Davis
Ontario Nocturnal Owl Survey
Photo: Amanda Bichel
Volunteer opportunity:
The Birds Canada Ontario office is looking for a few Citizen Scientists who are interested in surveying owls on select routes in rural Ontario.
Is it for me?
The birding skill level required is new to intermediate. These roadside routes require a driver. The owl surveys are conducted at night. The available routes are in northeastern, central, and northern Ontario, often on demanding roads. Preference will be given to individuals who live near the routes.
Learn more and get involved:
To learn more about the Ontario Nocturnal Owl Survey and see available routes, please visit: https://www.birdscanada.org/on_owls. The program coordinator is Kathy Jones: volunteer @ birdscanada.org.
Ontario SwiftWatch
Chimney Swift Photo: Andrés Jiménez
Volunteer opportunity:
SwiftWatch is a Citizen Science monitoring and conservation program through which volunteers and community groups act as stewards for Chimney Swifts. Volunteers are needed between May and September to conduct observations at chimneys to count the number of Chimney Swifts entering the chimney for the evening. This volunteer effort fills knowledge gaps by identifying and monitoring priority roost and nest sites. It also makes it possible to take conservation action for swifts such as preventing the loss of, or disturbance to, these important sites.
Is it for me?
This survey is a great way for anyone – from beginners to experts – to participate in monitoring and conservation. Identifying Chimney Swifts is fairly simple; once you can identify a Chimney Swift by sound and sight, you’re ready to participate.
Learn more and get involved:
More information can be found by visiting: https://www.birdscanada.org/bird-science/swiftwatch/. Please contact ontarioswiftwatch @ birdscanada.org if you’re interested in learning how to help swifts in Ontario.