NestWatch

Monitoring nesting and breeding activity at Westcave through citizen science.

NestWatch is a citizen science program run by the Cornell Lab of Ornithology that tracks the reproductive biology of North American birds. At Westcave, staff, interns, and volunteers monitor nesting boxes on the preserve and contribute observations to long-term bird conservation research.

A hummingbird perched in a nest built with moss and lichen on a tree branch, surrounded by green leaves and under a blue sky.

Why NestWatch Matters

Bird conservation depends on protecting nesting habitat and understanding reproductive success. Monitoring nests helps researchers track nesting frequency, fertility, hatch rates, and fledgling success while identifying environmental pressures such as habitat loss, climate change, and urban development.

At Westcave, NestWatch helps us better understand how birds use nesting boxes across the preserve and how successful each nesting attempt is from egg laying to fledging. Westcave Preserve has been a proud participant in the NestWatch program since spring 2016. Dedicated staff and interns regularly monitor nesting boxes on the preserve.

A wooden birdhouse attached to a tree branch in a dense, wooded area with twisted branches and sparse foliage.

A Look At NestWatch

  • Bird's nest with eggs and broken eggshells in a natural outdoor setting with dry grass and twigs.

    Nesting Box 44

    04/09/2025

  • Close-up of deceased birds, feathers, grass, and some fur or hair, with a wooden fence in the background.

    Nesting Box 44

    04/16/2025

  • Feathered baby bird lying in nest among grass and dirt, inside a wooden enclosure.

    Nesting Box 44

    04/23/2025

Learn About NestWatch
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