Your Next Outdoor Adventure Could Help Wildlife Conservation
Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife
*mefishwildlife.com*
Bank Swallow in flight [ [link removed] ]
Bank swallow photo courtesy of Brock and Sherri Fenton
Introducing Maine Nest Quest
As spring turns to summer, swifts and swallows are busy raising young across Maine. These remarkable birds spend much of their lives on the wing, catching insects in flight and providing valuable ecological benefits. Unfortunately, these aerial insectivores are experiencing some of the steepest population declines of any bird group in North America, and we need your help to better understand where they are nesting.
Maine Nest Quest is a new community science project focused on mapping nesting swifts and swallows across the state. The project focuses on six species:
* Bank Swallow
* Cliff Swallow
* Barn Swallow
* Tree Swallow
* Northern Rough-winged Swallow
* Chimney Swift
Of particular concern are bank swallows and cliff swallows, both listed as State Threatened in Maine. Recent findings from the Maine Bird Atlas revealed that these species have disappeared from nearly half of their historic ranges in the state.
While biologists understand the types of habitats these birds use, many nesting colonies remain undocumented. Knowing where successful nesting occurs is essential for tracking populations, protecting important habitat, and guiding future conservation efforts.
*Learn More* [ [link removed] ]
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Cliff Swallow in flight
Cliff swallow photo courtesy of Linda Merry
Every Observation Counts
Whether you're a birder, angler, paddler, hiker, landowner, or simply enjoy time outdoors, you can help.
If you spot a nesting colony, take a few minutes to submit an observation through the Maine Nest Quest form. Photos are not required but are encouraged when they can be taken without disturbing birds.
Reports include a few simple details: location, date, species (if known), nesting activity, and number and condition of nests.
No experience is needed—an observation near home can be just as valuable as one made in the field.
*Get Involved* [ [link removed] ]
Mother cliff swallow feeding her young
Cliff swallow photo courtesy of Linda Merry
Ways to Participate
*Observe:* Check around your home, camp, or workplace.
*Explore:* Add Maine Nest Quest to your next outdoor trip.
*Discover:* Look for colonies in suitable habitat during intentional searches.
If you use eBird, continue reporting there as well. Maine Nest Quest adds more detailed information that helps biologists track nesting sites and guide conservation work.
Together, these observations help map where Maine's swifts and swallows are nesting and support long-term conservation of these aerial insectivores.
*Report a Nest or Colony* [ [link removed] ]
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More information
* Become a Purple Martin Landlord [ [link removed] ]
* Maine's Aerial Insectivores [ [link removed] ]
* Maine Nightjar Monitoring Project [ [link removed] ]
* Swallow Conservation [ [link removed] ]
* Maine Natural History Observatory Nest Box Monitoring Projects [ [link removed] ]
* The Art and Science of Aerial Insectivores [ [link removed] ]
* Other Community Science Projects in Maine [ [link removed] ]
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[email protected] using GovDelivery Communications Cloud on behalf of: Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife ·41 State House Station · Augusta, ME 04333-0041 · (207) 287-8000 GovDelivery logo [ [link removed] ]
