Adding bird nesting boxes to our greenspace is a simple but powerful way to support local wildlife and create a more vibrant ecosystem. According to the Cornell Lab of Ornithology’s NestWatch project, many bird species struggle to find suitable places to nest because natural cavities—like holes in trees—are becoming increasingly scarce. Nest boxes help fill this gap by mimicking these natural nesting spaces and giving birds a safe place to lay eggs and raise their young.
By installing nesting boxes, we are directly supporting birds that rely on these types of habitats, such as bluebirds, chickadees, wrens, and even screech owls. Providing these spaces can help increase nesting success and encourage more birds to live and breed in our area, strengthening local biodiversity. At the same time, these boxes allow us to observe bird life up close—watching the journey from nest building to fledging—which can deepen our connection to nature.
Nesting boxes also play an important role in conservation. Data collected from projects like NestWatch helps scientists understand how birds respond to environmental changes and what actions can support their populations. Even small efforts, like adding a few well-placed boxes, can contribute to larger conservation goals while transforming our greenspace into a thriving habitat.
Butterfly boxes are often marketed as helpful shelters for butterflies, but research suggests they may do more harm than good. According to this Backyard Ecology article, there is no evidence that butterflies actually use these boxes, even though they are designed as hibernation or shelter sites. Instead, studies found that the boxes are frequently occupied by non‑native predators like European paper wasps, which prey on caterpillars and can negatively affect butterfly populations. Because they may increase predator numbers while providing no real benefit to butterflies, adding butterfly boxes to a pollinator garden can be counterproductive, making it better to focus on natural habitat features instead.
Beverly James, a neighbor on Bob O Link, installed a screech owl nesting box 4 years ago. This year she has a family with a brood of baby owlets. The nesting boxes may take some time to be found and utilized, but over time success grows exponentially!
Cornell Lab has a database of nesting observations from individuals. Download their app and record observations and where you find nest. They have excellent instructions at https://nestwatch.org/learn/how-to-nestwatch/code-of-conduct/
Learn more at https://nestwatch.org/
Building a nesting box it’s a meaningful step toward creating a healthy, welcoming environment for wildlife and people alike. Next year, we will plan some workshop days to build boxes, but if you want to contribute on your own, here are some instructions on building the right box for the right bird. Just let us know so we can help you find the right place in the greenspace to install. Email steward@bobolink-greenspace.com
From NestWatch -