eNews August 2026

Northern Tree Swallows Face a Nesting Season Squeeze

A new study of nearly 95,000 Tree Swallow nests from across North America found that they are laying eggs earlier as springs get warmer. Although Tree Swallows are adjusting their nesting timing in response to climate change, northern populations have been declining while southern populations have remained stable or even increased. The findings, reported in this month’s blog post, suggest that birds in the north may have a harder time keeping up with rapid warming and other challenges, making them more vulnerable to population declines.

Eastern Bluebirds Filmed Delivering a Steady Supply of Snakes to Nestlings

Becky Wylie and her husband have been observing bluebird nests in Missouri for many years, but this is the first year they installed a nest box with a built-in camera. It was immediately enlightening and surprising! They learned that their bluebird pair consistently delivered tiny snakes–still wriggling–to the nestlings as soon as they were large enough to swallow them (with some effort). The camera revealed that both ring-necked snake and DeKay’s brown snake were repeatedly on the menu, adding to a small set of rare observations of ophiophagy (snake eating) in bluebirds. Watch a nestling eat one, if you dare.

Influx of Purple Martin Data

Thanks to Mike McCartney for submitting 179 nest records for upload to NestWatch! Have historical data you’d like to contribute? Contact us to learn about our bulk upload option.

Welcome New Chapters

Our newest NestWatch Chapters are Academia Científica Escolar Yecos del INCO / Fundación Yecos Chile, of San Antonio, Chile, & Spearpoint Community of Weed, California. Find a Chapter near you!

NestWatch Tip of the Month

Did you know? Archiving a nest site removes it from your nest site map and yet ensures that the data recorded for that nest site remains in our database. Nest sites can be archived when they are no longer in use, or if the nest box itself has been moved. A new nest site should be created when a nest box is moved more than 12″ (30cm) in any direction. Learn how to archive a nest in our FAQ.

Submission of the Month

Debbie Maas recorded this Western Warbling Vireo nest in Juneau, Alaska! Eastern and Western Warbling Vireos used to be known as one species–the Warbling Vireo–but were recently split into two separate species. Western Warbling Vireos breed over much of the western half of the continent, nesting in the outer portions of deciduous trees and tall shrubs.  Be sure to submit photos with your nest visit data for a chance to be featured here.