Citizen Science Project

Write a 500-word reflection on your experience as a citizen scientist. You may include the following as
part of your reflection:
What tasks did you do?
What did you learn?
Did you feel as though you contributed to the research effort?
What might you have changed about the project or its approach?
Was the effort worthwhile?
Are you likely to continue with either this project or future citizen science projects?
How has this experience changed your view of academic research?

ANSWER

Citizen Science Project

My citizen science project was on nest watching. The nest watching project involved tracking all parts of a bird’s nesting attempt. The data we recorded in this project included the dates and the number of eggs, nestlings, and fledglings. The monitoring of the bird’s nest began after the first three visits. The first step was observing and choosing the bird we were supposed to observe. In this project, I was tasked with observing the bird and collecting the data on the bird’s progress and whether or not it had a successful nesting attempt. In the first three days, the bird visited the same tree, and from my observations, it was looking for a safe place to set up its nest.  A nest is considered successful if it produces on young or fledgling of the same species, and therefore the aim of the project was to see whether or not the bird successfully nested.

The nest watching process involved the American Kestrel. The nesting process of the American Kestrel involves both the male and the female species. First, the male looks for a nesting box and shows it to the female. The female makes the final choice of the nesting place. Next, the female lays the eggs and starts tending to the eggs. The male and the female usually meet outside on a branch where the male delivers food to the female who is tending for the eggs. Incubation duties fall on the female, but the male Kestrel helps when the female needs a break. After 34 days of watching the eggs, they welcomed their first hatchlings.

I felt that I was a significant contributor to this project as I was the one who observed the birds and kept a record of their activities. Through the project, I also had to learn how to differentiate between male and female birds. The project, in my view, was carried out in the best possible way. One thing that I could have changed is maybe the part where I did not have a professional camera to take videos of the birds’ whole nesting and hatching process. Nevertheless, the process was worthwhile as I learned a few things, such as the ability of male and female birds to come together to bring forth their species. The bird-watching process helped me see firsthand how the birds can come together and help each other out in the nesting process.

I will continue with nest watching and take on other citizen science projects. This project was exciting and helped me learn new things about birds and nest watching. I also got to record actual data from my observations. My view of academic research changed as I thought it would be boring and not interesting, but I found it fulfilling and interesting. It also piqued my love of nature and thus my explorer interest. I recorded real data that other people will likely use. Academic research helps other researchers, and therefore I will pursue my interests as a citizen scientist in other areas.