1. Before the breeding season begins, inspect your nest boxes. Repairs damaged ones, and replace irreparable ones. Place your boxes in appropriate habitat. Be patient and wait for the birds to take interest in your nest box. (Contact MPRA for information and box registration!)

 2. Check boxes once or twice per week with minimal disturbance to the birds. Always work quietly and efficiently to minimize stress to the birds. Slowly and quietly open the box, and check the contents.

3. Avoid checking nest boxes: *****

A. in the morning during egg-laying. Nest boxes should be checked in the afternoon, since most females lay their eggs in the morning and are absent from the nests in the afternoon.

            B. during the first few days of incubation. If necessary, observe the box from a distance and approach only when the female leaves the nest to feed

C. when young are close to fledging. When the young are disturbed during this stage, they leave the nest prematurely. Young that fledge prematurely do not stay in the nest box despite attempts to return them, and their survival rates are very low.

D. during inclement weather. If the weather is cold, damp, or rainy, postpone checking the box until another day. Checking boxes during this time can be very stressful for the birds.

4. Keep accurate notes on each nest box. Each time you check a box, write down your observations. Use one of the field worksheets to record your data (date, nest box ID, nesting material, species, number of eggs, egg color, number of chicks, etc). Remember to write down any unusual sightings. Use the species accounts to help you identify nest, eggs, and adults.  Click here for data sheets (PDF version or Excel version)

5. Submit your data either during or at the end of the breeding season.

Wood Duck Project

Prothonotary Warbler Project

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