2. Cleveland Metroparks
Mission: Cleveland Metroparks will conserve significant
natural resources and enhance people's lives by providing
safe, high-quality outdoor education, recreation, and
zoological opportunities. Further, Cleveland Metroparks Zoo is
committed to create compelling experiences that connect
people with wildlife.
3. Cornell Lab of Ornithology
Mission: To interpret and conserve the Earth’s biological
diversity through research, education, and citizen science
focused on birds.
There are currently over 200,000 participants in their citizen
science programs.
4. What is Citizen Science?
• Research collaboration between professional scientists,
amateur scientists and volunteers
• “Professional” scientists can’t collect
• Data collected over large spans of space and time
• Public education and engagement
5. What is NestWatch?
• Monitors status and trends in the biology of breeding birds
• Timing of nesting, number of eggs and young, reproductive
success
Began in 1960’s with nest record cards
2006 NestWatch born
Any bird nest may be
monitored
6. Why is Monitoring Important?
Birds are sensitive to ecological change
Abundant and widespread
Inhabit a variety of ecosystems
Engaged in many ecological processes
Easily studied by professional and amateurs
Contribute useful data
7. How to Monitor Nests
Safety of birds & data quality standards
9. Get Certified!
1. Learn about nesting
biology of birds
2. Plan and prepare
• Visit nests every 3-4 days
• Organize data sheet,
notebook, binoculars
• Minimize time spent at nest
NestWatch Code of Conduct
10. Get Certified!
NestWatch Code of Conduct
3. Do not check nests:
• Early in the morning, at
dusk, or at night
• When rainy or cold
• During early incubation
• When close to fledging
4. Search carefully
• Undiscovered nests are
vulnerable
• Move slowly through
vegetation
• Watch your step
11. Get Certified!
5. Be wary of predators
• They’re smart enough to
watch you
• If present, check another
time
6. Minimize disturbance
to nest site
• Avoid startling adults
• If possible, wait for adult to
leave before approaching
• Gently tap nest box before
opening
• Never force a bird off of a
nest
• Keep visits short
NestWatch Code of Conduct
12. 7. Do not touch birds or
eggs
• They are easily harmed
• It’s against the law
8. Don’t leave a
dead-end trail
• Predators follow your tracks
• Take different routes
NestWatch Code of Conduct
Get Certified!
13. 9. Respect private land
• Get permission first
• Treat with utmost respect
10. Understand the
Migratory Bird Treaty
Act
NestWatch Code of Conduct
Get Certified!
“It is illegal to take, possess, import, export, transport, sell,
purchase, barter, or offer for sale, any migratory bird, or the parts,
nests, or eggs of such a bird except under the terms of a valid
permit issued by federal and, in some cases, state agencies.”
14. Finding Nests
Nest structure and material are species specific
Learn the basics
Birds generally nest from March – August
Start with nest boxes
Patience is key
15. Finding Nests
During nest building
• Follow birds carrying grass,
twigs, etc.
• Map the males
• Vegetation not lush yet
• Once nest site found, BACK
OFF!
During non-breeding
• Practice finding old nests
• Reveals habitat
preferences
• Birds sometimes re-use old
location
16. During egg laying
• Females only visit nest to
lay eggs
During incubation
Females may seem to
disappear
Males may increase singing
Listen for short “call” notes,
or alarm cries
Watch for “flushing” birds
Finding Nests
17. Finding Nests
During nestling phase
• Birds go back to showing
you the way
• Frequent feeding trips and
removing fecal sacs
• Young begging for food
18. Nest Monitoring Protocol
• Remember nest location
• Add a new nest site to your records
• Visit nest every 3-4 days
• Visit nest one last time
• Record observations online
• Record nest summary information
19. Day 1 Day 3 Day 5
Day 8 Day 10 Day 12
Day 15 Day 17 Day 19
20. Bluebird Nesting
Males claim site by placing grass in box
Nest made from dry grass lined with finer grass
Female take 4-11 days to build nest; up to 1 week before
first egg
Blue to white eggs (4-6 average)
One egg laid per day
Incubation 12-16 days
Young in nest 15-20 days
2-3 broods possible
21. Nests Along the Trail
Black-capped Chickadee – use
moss, animal hair and lichen.
Small white eggs with reddish
brown flecks
Tree Swallow – Dry grass similar
to bluebird but lined with
feathers and white eggs
22. Nests Along the Trail
House Wren – bulky base
of twigs. Eggs white with
rust specks
House Sparrow –
Long grass, weeds,
feathers and trash.
Off-white eggs with
gray/brown spots
Nests and eggs
should be
removed!
23.
24. Provides information on birds, nest identification and monitoring in the
Learn section. You can also look up NestWatch Chapters.
