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  • An adult kestrel perched at the entrance of a wooden nest box with a lizard, about to feed its chicks.
    Why Are American Kestrels Declining? New Insights from a Continental Study

    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.

  • A trail camera affixed to a tree in a yard with tall green grass, lined with trees.
    Using Trail Cameras to Enhance Nest Monitoring: Risks and Rewards

    Trail cameras are a fun and low-impact way to monitor bird nests and discover fascinating behaviors without disturbing the birds. With the right setup and a few safety considerations, you can collect great data while minimizing time in the field. It’s a great tool for NestWatchers who want a more intimate view of the nesting cycle.

  • A woman holding a tall rigid pole angled up into the entrance hole of a large nest box that has been mounted on a thick power pole, high out of reach.
    Monitoring hard-to-reach nest boxes? Try a camera pole!

    Do you have nest boxes that are mounted too high to easily inspect without a ladder? In this month’s blog post, we outline some easy steps to make a DIY nest-checking pole which eliminates the need for a ladder during nest inspections. Lightweight, inexpensive, and easy-to-use, this DIY tool can be operated by one person.   

  • a nest box mounted on a pole that has been installed in a field of native plants. There is a tree line in the distance at the edge of the field.
    Fall Gardening for Spring Nesting

    What can you do this fall to build better habitat for your nest box inhabitants? Plant native! Native plants are a boon for wildlife, especially birds; they’re a great source of food and shelter, and they provide ample nesting material during the breeding season. Our guest Mhairi McFarlane dives into several different activities you can do right now to help create ideal nesting space for your birds come springtime.

  • Clockwise from upper left: a garden in front of a house with several native wildflowers; a grassy nest on top of a mossy green nest inside of a wooden nest box; a Purple Martin perched on top of a structure with its wings outstretched; a Red-tailed Hawk perched at it's twiggy nest that has been built on an industrial structure.
    eNews October 2025

    – Fall Gardening for Spring Nesting
    – How to Report Nest Takeovers by Other Birds
    – New Chapter in NYC!
    – Bulk Upload Update

  • Clockwise from upper left: a carpenter bee upside down, emerging out from a hole drilled in the underside of a piece of wood; the words
    eNews June 2025

    – Carpenter Bees in Boxes?
    – New App Features: Groups & Filtering
    – New NestWatch Chapter!
    – Bulk Uploads for June

  • Four images, clockwise from upper left: a shot from inside a tree cavity looking out at a landscape and the head of a nuthatch peeking inside; a bluebird nestling that looks ready to fledge sitting in the entrance of a wooden nest box; an adult bluebird feeding a fledgling while they are both perched on a thin twig; six white eggs in a grassy nest that has been lined with gray feathers.
    eNews January 2026

    – Woodpecker Holes, Community Homes 
    – Open Dataset Refresh
    – New NestWatch Chapters
    – Data Influx

  • Four images, clockwise from upper left: A grid of photos of bluebirds with insects in their beaks; a close-up view of the face of a fox-like mammal with pale gray fur and large dark eyes; a small yellow songbird perched on a wooden nest box, singing its heart out; and a wren perched on the roof of a nest box with a large spider in its beak.
    eNews February 2026

    – Hungry Hungry Bluebirds
    – A Mystery Mammal
    – New NestWatch Chapters
    – Data Win

  • Clockwise from upper left: A trail camera attached to a tree trunk with straps; a screenshot of the NestWatch website with a bit
    eNews August 2025

    – Trail Camera Risks and Rewards
    – New Data Entry Tutorial Videos
    – First NestWatch Chapter from Asia
    – Join Project Phoenix