NestWatch - Cornell Lab of Ornithology

06/12/2026

Have you ever experienced mysterious, almost perfectly circular holes appearing in your nest boxes? If so, you might have other winged creatures trying to lay eggs in your nest box—carpenter bees! These pollinators have a habit of boring into wood to lay their eggs, which can damage nest boxes. In this blog post from the archive, we explore carpenter bee identification and habits, plus share some tips to prevent and repair the damage:

Have you ever experienced mysterious, almost perfectly circular holes appearing in your nest boxes? If so, you might have other winged creatures trying to lay eggs in your nest box—carpenter bees! These pollinators have a habit of boring into wood to lay their eggs, which can damage nest boxes. We...

06/10/2026

Having trouble seeing the contents of a nest? We've got a solution for you! Monitors often find it helpful to use a small handheld mirror, or even a phone on a selfie stick, to get a better look at eggs or young.

📷: Black-capped Chickadees by Judson Wampole

06/08/2026

Heading to the beach soon? Keep an eye out for nesting birds! Least Terns, like those pictured below, nest in a shallow depression in the sand. Once their camouflaged eggs hatch, the young are quick to their feet, ready to follow their parents around after only about 1-2 days!

📷: Patti Constance

06/05/2026

Is there a bird nesting near you? Consider monitor the nest for NestWatch! Learn more about NestWatch with our quick how-to video:

A short overview NestWatch, a participatory science program through...

06/03/2026

Did you know? Mourning Doves raise up to six broods a year! Each clutch typically consists of two eggs, and after two weeks of incubation they hatch into chicks that only need another two weeks in the nest before they're ready to fledge! Are Mourning Doves nesting near you this spring?

📷: Iman Ahmad Ahmad

06/01/2026

Happy June! The weather is looking up and lots of folks are spending time outside. But before you dig out that equipment for summer fun, make sure you check it over for nests! Some birds love to nest on things like boat moorings, tailgates, tires, and other similar spots. If you find a nest, it's best to leave it alone while the nest finishes up and shift to a different activity in the meantime.

📷: Eastern Kingbird nest by Felicity Rask

05/29/2026

American Kestrels have been experiencing a long-term decline in population. 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 - read more on our blog!

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 decli...

05/27/2026

Nestlings are fledging from nests and making their way into the world. Most will stick around their parents while they learn how to fly more strongly and forage for themselves. What birds have been fledging in your neighborhood? 🦉

📷: Barred Owl by Jeff Timmons

05/25/2026

Happy Memorial Day!

The NestWatch offices are closed today - we'll be back in the office to answer your questions on Tuesday, May 26.

📷: Northern Cardinal nest by Keith Kennedy / Macaulay Library

05/21/2026

Have you ever seen a piece of a plastic woven into a bird's nest? This summer, we’re asking all NestWatch participants who find the nest of an American Robin, Gray Catbird, or Northern Mockingbird to photograph that nest from the top and from the side, and then upload the images when reporting data to NestWatch. We’re looking for both nests with plastic as well as plastic-free nests! Learn more about how you can help: https://nestwatch.org/blog/join-our-new-study-on-plastics-in-bird-nests/

📷: Top view of a Gray Catbird nest by Daniel Hinnebusch / Macaulay Library, and side view of an American Robin nest by Mike Conley.