The Nesting Guide

Introduction to the Nesting Guide:
Having a Tree Swallow nest box project gives you an unparalleled opportunity
to witness the nesting cycle of free-living songbirds up close, an opportunity
you won't want to miss.  You'll find your swallows are superb teachers: they
really let you see what's happening.  Your observations and experiences with
them will help you understand songbirds in general, and to help structure and
expand your learning we've designed the Nesting Guide.














Songbird reproduction progresses through a succession of stages, each with
its own set of significant events, activities, and pressures.  The details differ
by species, but the stages and issues apply to all.  The Nesting Guide
presents a series of topics, listed at left, that follow the sequence of stages
in the Tree Swallow nesting cycle.  Each topic addresses a specific stage or
issue of songbird reproduction, or investigates important aspects of songbird
behavior, biology, ecology, or management.

The topics are intended to complement and reinforce what you learn in the
field.  They are not meant to replace your own observations, which are the
real key to understanding the swallows and their world.  We hope you'll try to
make watches each time you visit your project because, as the proverb says:
"Hearing about something a hundred times is not as good as seeing it once".












Making field watches isn't hard.  Just bring along an old lawn chair, and relax
and observe for ten or fifteen minutes at several boxes in succession.  Take
notes if you want, and be sure to think about what you see and speculate
about causes.  And of course make a round of box checks before you leave.

We suggest you refer to particular guide topics, both before project visits as
preparation for field watches, and again afterward as you reflect on what
you've seen.

We think the Nesting Guide can be a valuable learning tool in and of itself,
and we've tried to be thorough and thought-provoking, but you may want to
supplement the guide with other sources.

If you want a comprehensive reference, consider buying a companion book
such as "The Sibley Guide to Bird Life and Behavior", or better yet, Cornell
Lab of Ornithology's "Handbook of Bird Biology".  They're pricey, but worth it.

If you want a really comprehensive learning experience, check out the Lab of
Ornithology's Home Study Course in Bird Biology.  It's challenging, but it could
make a great complement to your project experiences.

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Learn About Birds at Tree Swallow Nest Box Projects