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Nesting season is upon us, and yet researchers studying urban-nesting juncos have found their research halted by stay-at-home ordinances in response to COVID-19. They’re inviting anyone who finds a junco nest (of any subspecies) to please report the details to NestWatch. Together we can help the junco research team continue their studies even as we all stick close to home!

Hummingbird “nest boxes” are relatively new products that have a lot of bird lovers asking, “Should I buy one?” But the short answer is “no.” Hummingbirds do not use nest boxes, and there are better ways to attract these flying gems.

Brood X is an enormous cohort of periodical cicadas in North America and is emerging now! NestWatchers are asked to be on the lookout for impacts on the 2021 nesting season.

As companies slowly reopen and work to make their facilities safe for their staff, they can also consider making their properties safer for wildlife. In our new blog post, we highlight some certified wildlife habitats on business campuses as examples of good stewardship which benefit both people and planet.

A new study of nearly 95,000 Tree Swallow nests from across North America found that these birds are laying eggs earlier as springs get warmer. Even though 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 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.

American Kestrels have been experiencing a long-term decline in populations. NestWatch data contributed to a recent study that brought together multiple data sources from around the continent. This integration of demographic data sources revealed new insights into how we can help reverse these declines.

Do Northern Flickers have a “hive mind” mentality? Or is their acoustic resemblance to a swarm of bees simply coincidence? Listen in, and decide for yourself!

Bird blowflies are an unwelcome blood-feeding parasite found in the nests of many species of birds. Their presence is often blamed for nestling deaths, but there is little scientific evidence that they commonly reduce nestling survival, suggesting that their harmful effects are below a lethal threshold. What—if anything—can or should we do about them when monitoring nest boxes?

NestWatchers occasionally encounter ants or their colonies in birds’ nests. What, if anything, should be done about them? The answer depends on whether the ants are predatory or not.