A Nest Record represents a detailed history of each active nest found by a contributor, providing information on the species, nest location, nest type and habitat (using a simple coding system), and details of the nest contents each time the nest was visited (e.g. number of eggs or young on each date, stage of growth of the young or behaviour of the adults). These can be used to determine clutch size, hatching success, brood size, and the success or failure of the nest. Although each individual card provides only a small part of a picture, in aggregate, they have the potential to tell us about the range of habitats used by each species, and how factors such as clutch size or nest success vary across the province or over time.

Completing the cards takes only a few minutes per nest. Contributors are encouraged to visit each nest several times to follow its progress and learn its fate, although nest records with only a single visit are also accepted. With several visits appropriately timed, it is possible to determine the approximate laying dates, hatching dates, and nest success - all important information for monitoring the population status of each species.

Most cards are contributed by volunteers, though professional researchers and scientists also make a valuable contribution. Anybody is welcome to participate - if you are interested, check the instructions for more information.