Nest Watch in Your Ecosystem Garden

Bird nest monitoring has become a very important tool in the arsenal for biologists and ornithologists who study bird populations. And the good news is that you can help by joining Nest Watch, a citizen science project by Cornell Lab of Ornithology.

NestWatch welcomes data for all North American birds. Participants submit data about which kinds of birds are nesting, the number of eggs laid, dates eggs were laid, and the numbers of chicks hatched and fledged. Collecting this information across the continent over long periods of time is one of the best ways we have to detect widespread changes in breeding bird biology.

Why is Nest Monitoring Important?

Nesting birds are vulnerable to changes in the environment, including climate change. Data show some species, like the Tree Swallow, are laying their eggs more than a week earlier than they did just a few decades ago. That could spell big trouble if hatch dates get out of sync with the availability of food.

Projects like NestWatch provide scientists with a large database which tracks population and reproductive success. This information helps them to determine what factors may be contributing to a species decline.

This data is much more valuable when all the records are completed in the same way. That’s where NestWatch comes in. Each participant will submit information about the nests in their Ecosystem Garden in the same manner.

This is a great way to get your kids involved in helping scientists. Many classroom teachers are participating in the project as a way of teaching a hands-on approach to learning science.

It’s also a great way for you to get in tune with the rhythms of your garden. If you keep a Garden Journal, you will be able to see any changes that may occur over time in your own garden.

Helping Birds in Your Wildlife Garden

Here’s some tips for helping birds in your wildlife habitat garden

In my garden, the birds are already quite busy. The Chickadees, Titmice, Robins, Cardinals, Woodpeckers, and Wrens are already hard at work building their nests.

Here are some tools and strategies for bird nest monitoring:

1. Camera Traps: Camera traps are a great tool for monitoring bird nests. They can be placed near the nest to monitor activity without disturbing the birds.

2. Audio Recordings: Audio recordings can be used to monitor bird nests. This can be done by placing a microphone in the area near the nest to record any sounds the birds may make.

3. Radio Transmitters: Radio transmitters are a great way to monitor bird nests. They can be attached to the birds to track their movements and help identify nests.

4. Nest Boxes: Nest boxes are a great tool for monitoring bird nests. They can be placed in areas where birds are known to nest and can provide valuable information about the species and nesting habits.

5. Observation: Observation is a great way to monitor bird nests. It can be done by simply watching the area around the nest to determine activity levels and to identify the species of bird.