Biological & Environmental Sciences

Please be respectful of the birds as you walk around the property.  Observe them from a distance and they will give you clues as to the goings-on at the nest.  We refer to the process in 4 distinct phasing: nest construction, egg laying, incubation, rearing (fledging times).  During the nest construction phase, the birds are typically quite visible, bringing in nesting materials, singing on a nearby perch.  However, once egg-laying begins, birds try to be as inconspicuous as possible.  Birds typically lay one egg per day until their entire clutch is laid.  Once the clutch is laid – incubation begins.  Female birds are primarily responsible for incubation – they develop a brood patch – an area devoid of feathers meant to allow direct contact between the skin and the clutch of eggs.  Females leave the to receive food for the male, defecate, hunt, or for water, but activity around the nest box is minimized.  Lastly, is the rearing stage, where both parents are actively feeding their offspring, known as hatchlings.  Adults, and sometimes young from previous clutches, capture prey and return to the nestbox to feed it to the hatchlings.  The process of the baby birds finally leaving the nest is referred to as fledging.  The young birds graduate and are referred to as fledglings.

To minimize disturbance to the birds, we ask that you not disturb the next boxes.  To see the contents of nest boxes click here – we provide photos and updates on the contents of every nest box when we check them as part of our research.  If you happen to see a young bird during your visit, please leave it alone and where it is.  Cavity nesting birds rarely have young leave the nest early (they can’t easily fall out). 
Lastly, all native species that migrate (make predictable, long-distance movements associated seasons) are protected by The Migratory Bird Treaty Act.  It is illegal to possess any nest, eggs, bird, or bird feather without a proper federal permit.