The destruction of vast areas of forest in the eastern U.S. and the suppression of natural disturbances in remaining forests led to precipitous declines in many species of obligate cavity-nesters. Both the Wood Duck (Aix sponsa) and the Eastern Bluebird (Sialia sialis) can frequently be seen at cb's place as a consequence of the overall habitat features (ponds/streams and short grasslands, respectively). However, it appears their ability to nest here is contingent on the placement of artificial nestboxes. Beginning in 2017, artificial nestboxes have been monitored, with over 100 native birds fledged from the boxes over three summers. Although the "x-box" design of the boxes along the trails are intended for bluebirds, house wrens, Carolina wrens, and Tree Swallows have all successfully raised young from these boxes. These native species are all protected by federal law and nest boxes should not be disturbed. Researchers check boxes often and actively remove nests from the non-native and invasive house sparrow, which may also try to use x-box artificial nestboxes.
As you walk the property look for birds entering and leaving boxes, make some predictions based on patterns you may observe. Do the proximity of trees play a role in what species you see at which box?