What We Do

Volunteers monitor the nest boxes in a trail (a series of nest boxes) to detect problems early to provide a greater chance of survival.  Nest box monitors work in teams to ensure that the nest boxes are monitored weekly during the nesting season of March through September. Our goal is to make more room for…

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Why We Do It

Across North America, our adult breeding bird population has declined by 29% since 1970. That is more than 1 in 4 birds—nearly 3 billion birds—gone in less than a single lifetime. Bird populations are declining not just in rare or endangered species but even among common backyard birds. Threats include urban sprawl, climate change, pesticides, a…

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Get Involved

Monitor a Trail Get started by watching the training video on resources for nest box monitors then contact us to get assigned to a trail. Build Boxes and Guards Download designs for VBS-approved nest boxes, predator guards, and sparrow spookers. Start a Trail We can help scope out suitable locations, provide training, and apply for a…

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25 Reasons to Monitor

Here are 25 reasons to become a nest box monitor. Got another reason why you monitor? Let us know! Text and chickadee nestling photo © Alison Davis-Holland, ARMN Class of 2008.