Our Nest Box Program

If you have noticed birds going in and out of our wooden nesting structures in the Sanctuary, you can help us by reporting this information. We will use it to document where various species have nested over the summer. Each of the boxes all have small white tags each with an identification number. There are big ones (meant for Wood Ducks) and small ones (meant for Chickadees, Swallows, Nuthatches and Wrens). These artificial structures provide additional “nest cavities” for these kinds of birds.

Instructions:
1. Obtain this form from the Gift Shop or by downloading it from our website. (click here)
2. Walk quietly along the trails watching for bird activity around the boxes.
3. If you see a bird going into a nest or “claiming” it by perching on the roof, make a note of the number on the box, the date and what kind of bird it was. If you do not know, take a picture, and we will verify it later.
4. Turn in your information to us at the Gift Shop.
5. The really important things-
Stay at least 2 m away from the box. Your information on box use is helpful but intruding into their nesting space is harmful. It may make them abandon their nest or young and it will make any predators in the area notice the birds.
Do not throw seed anywhere near a nesting box or any nesting bird.

Local cavity nesting birds that use artificial nest boxes:
Woodpeckers Downy woodpecker, Northern Flicker (although they can make their own)
Cavity-nesting Ducks Wood Duck, Hooded Merganser Certain Songbirds Tree Swallow, Violet-Green Swallow, Black-capped Chickadee, Bewick's Wren, Red-breasted Nuthatch.