Chickadee Nest Monitoring Protocol
You've got a nest box, so what 's the best way to monitor it? Follow these guidelines to submit data to the project.
- Check the nest box to determine the nest box is active
Chickadee Nest building steps:
- Step 1: Little bit of moss around the edges (Days 1-3)
- Step 2: Full layer of Moss, starting to get thick! (Days 4-6)
- Step 3: Large, thick layer of moss and the beginnings of forming a shallow cup (days 6-8+)
- Step 4: Line the inside of the cup with soft material like dry grass and animal fur. (Days 8+)
Chickadees are the first to start building, and the first pairs start building nests in early April. Watch your nest box periodically to see if you can catch the pair building or excavating the paper shavings. Both the male and female will excavate together, anytime in March, April or May. Usually, the female takes care of the nest building alone, and quickly brings moss and animal fur to make her nest. The male will follow her closely, often singing charismatically above the nest box.
Before checking the nest box, watch briefly (~5 minutes) to see if you catch the female visiting the nest with material. That way you can avoid disturbing her if possible. Before taking the top off, scratch the sides a few times to encourage her to leave if she is inside.
2. Enter your data on the website Enter your data on the website so that we are aware that there is an active nest in your area! If your nest is chosen for supplementary information, Desiree or one of the Nestwatch technicians will contact you.
3. If willing, continue monitoring the nest once per week. Record the number of eggs and young observed during each visit, as well as other relevant observations such as the color-band combinations and behavior of the adult birds. Be sure you're counting accurately. We can also monitor the nest weekly for you if you'd like.
If possible, always check the nests when parent birds are away. Make visits brief, quick, and very quiet. Use different routes for approaching and leaving the nest site. If you 'flush' the female off the nest, don't worry. Complete your check quickly, close the box and then leave the area quickly. She will return shortly after you are gone, likely when you're not looking.
4. Record your data on the website on the same day. By giving us data in real time, we can schedule our supplemental data accordingly. If contents are hard to see in the box, use a small mirror to get a better view. If for any reason you are unable to check a chickadee nest (vacations, etc.), please let me know as soon as possible, and I will schedule someone to come out and collect the data.
5. Visit the nest one last time after you are certain the young have fledged to determine if any unhatched eggs or young remain. Count and report on the online nest monitoring form.
5. Clean the nest box out only after you are certain that the nest is completed. This will make the nest box available for other species to use, and will discourage colonization of insects such as mites or ants.
Nestwatch Cavity-nesting Species Information
**There are only two species that should be able to nest in the Nestwatch Tube. Other larger nest boxes may also have Bluebirds, Tree Swallows, Tufted Titmice or House Sparrows
Frequently Asked Questions
What Data do I record?
When you submit data to me please record the following information:
Which nest boxes should I monitor?
Chickadees can nest in any type of nest box (and often in some other unexpected places!). Please check all nest boxes in your yard until you get an active chickadee nest. If all nest boxes are empty, you can submit one report that says 'I checked all X of my boxes and none had evidence of nesting'. If possible, please take down any nest boxes that cannot be opened to look inside until the end of the chickadee breeding season (end of June).
I've got a House Wren Nest! Is that Bad?
No this is wonderful! Any native nesting bird is a success. :) Although we will not come out to collect supplementary information on House Wrens, please monitor the nest using the same protocol above and submit to the project. House Wrens will nest up to three times in a season, even if they are successful!
House Wrens will take over active chickadee nests, which is not good for chickadees. :( We collect data on which nests get taken over but if you are interested in trying to keep out house wrens, you can try this 'wren guard' method here: http://www.pbase.com/gymell/wren_guard
Using these guards requires putting up and taking down the blocker at very precise times in the nesting cycle, which is why I am unable to do this for most nests myself. If you would like to try this method, do let me know, and I can help you figure out when to put it up and take it down.
Can House Sparrows/Predators get in?
For the Nestwatch Tubes, the entrance hole is only 3 cm so it keeps out all other birds and predators other than chickadees and house wrens. Snakes and house wrens can destroy nests but they are the majority of the threat to nest success. Despite this, we had about a 90% success rate with the 35 nests we monitored last year.
Any additional Questions? Please Contact Desiree at [email protected]
When you submit data to me please record the following information:
- Your First and Last Name
- The species of your nest (if known)
- The date the box was checked
- The stage of the nest (none, building, eggs, nestlings, fledged, fail)
- Number of Eggs
- Number of Nestlings
- Any notes that are important (color bands of birds at nest, behavior, etc.)
Which nest boxes should I monitor?
Chickadees can nest in any type of nest box (and often in some other unexpected places!). Please check all nest boxes in your yard until you get an active chickadee nest. If all nest boxes are empty, you can submit one report that says 'I checked all X of my boxes and none had evidence of nesting'. If possible, please take down any nest boxes that cannot be opened to look inside until the end of the chickadee breeding season (end of June).
I've got a House Wren Nest! Is that Bad?
No this is wonderful! Any native nesting bird is a success. :) Although we will not come out to collect supplementary information on House Wrens, please monitor the nest using the same protocol above and submit to the project. House Wrens will nest up to three times in a season, even if they are successful!
House Wrens will take over active chickadee nests, which is not good for chickadees. :( We collect data on which nests get taken over but if you are interested in trying to keep out house wrens, you can try this 'wren guard' method here: http://www.pbase.com/gymell/wren_guard
Using these guards requires putting up and taking down the blocker at very precise times in the nesting cycle, which is why I am unable to do this for most nests myself. If you would like to try this method, do let me know, and I can help you figure out when to put it up and take it down.
Can House Sparrows/Predators get in?
For the Nestwatch Tubes, the entrance hole is only 3 cm so it keeps out all other birds and predators other than chickadees and house wrens. Snakes and house wrens can destroy nests but they are the majority of the threat to nest success. Despite this, we had about a 90% success rate with the 35 nests we monitored last year.
Any additional Questions? Please Contact Desiree at [email protected]