eNews May 2026

New Study Explores American Kestrel Decline

American Kestrels have been experiencing a long-term decline in North America. NestWatch data contributed to a recent study that brought together multiple data sources from around the continent. Check out this month’s blog post to learn how this innovative approach revealed new insights into how we can help reverse these declines.

Reminder to Document Plastics in Nests

Last month we announced a new effort to document any potential impacts of plastic nest materials on three species: American Robin, Gray Catbird, and Northern Mockingbird. If you missed it, we’re asking anyone who finds a nest of these species to upload two photos to their nest record in NestWatch—one taken from the side and one taken from above the nest. These photos, along with your usual NestWatch data, will allow us to look for potential impacts of plastics on nest success. We need data and photos of nests with and without plastic. Learn how to join in here.

Watch: An Overview of NestWatch

Are you new to NestWatching? Learn more about how to get started with this video overview.

New NestWatch Chapters

We’ve had 10 new NestWatch Chapters join our ranks since March. We love the enthusiasm! Welcome to: 

• A Rocha Canada – Winnipeg, MB, Canada
• Last Chance Audubon Society – Helena, MT 
• Friends of Topsmead State Forest – Litchfield, CT
• South Middleton Township, Bird Town, PA – Boiling Springs, PA
• Warrington Township EAC, Bird Town, PA – Warrington, PA 
• Concord Township, Bird Town, PA – Glen Mills, PA
• Rock Hollow Woods Environmental Learning Center – Birdsboro, PA
• UNT Bird Campus Committee – Denton, TX
• Preservation Society for Spring Creek Forest – Garland, TX
• Club de Observadores de Aves de Orlando H.Garrido – Ciego de Avila, Cuba 

Find a NestWatch Chapter near you using our chapters map!

NestWatch Tip of the Month

Do you use the NestWatch Mobile app in remote areas? Make sure to double check that your data have successfully synced to the database when you return from checking nests. Take a look at the Unsynced Data tab in your app menu; if it says “You have no unsynced data,” then you’re all set! If you have any pending uploads, make sure you’re connected to WiFi and then tap the “Upload all” button. If you need more help, review our FAQ on unsynced data.

Submission of the Month

Cristina Avila snapped a photo of this Black-necked Stilt sitting on its nest in Arizona. Black-necked Stilts nest on the ground and scrape away soft sand or other substrate to create a shallow depression in which they lay their eggs. Then, they’ll sometimes line the nest with grasses, shells, mud chips, pebbles, and/or bone fragments!

Be sure to submit photos with your nest visit data for a chance to be featured here.