Tracking the Birds: My First Experience with Cornell Lab NestWatch

Recently, I decided to take one of my woodworking projects a step further — not just building birdhouses, but actually following what happens after they are placed in the yard.

After making several birdhouses over time, I became curious about whether birds were using them, how often they were visited, and what kind of species might be nesting inside. That curiosity led me to discover the Cornell Lab of Ornithology’s NestWatch program.

NestWatch is a citizen science project that allows everyday people to monitor bird nests and contribute real data to ongoing research. It is designed to help scientists better understand bird populations, nesting habits, and environmental changes over time.

Signing up was surprisingly simple. I created an account and logged in through ORCID, which I learned is a system used for researchers and academic tracking. At first, I wasn’t entirely sure what ORCID was, but I went ahead and used it just to get started. It turned out to be an easy way to access the NestWatch platform.
Once inside, I was able to begin exploring how to record nest locations, track activity, and log observations. It felt like a meaningful extension of my woodworking — not just building something functional, but actually participating in something larger that connects craftsmanship with nature.

Alongside this project, I also build and sell birdhouses designed specifically for bluebirds through my woodworking site, RoseWoodWorkUSA. Each birdhouse is crafted with care, focusing on the proper size, ventilation, and design needed to attract and support bluebird nesting habits. It has been rewarding to see my woodworking extend beyond the workshop and into something that directly supports local wildlife.

There is something special about building a birdhouse with your own hands, offering it to nature, and then being able to follow its story over time. It turns a simple project into something alive and ongoing. Each birdhouse becomes more than wood and nails — it becomes part of an ecosystem.

I am still learning how to use NestWatch fully, but I am excited about what comes next. I plan to continue documenting my birdhouses and hopefully contribute useful observations along the way.

​What started as a woodworking project has now turned into something more personal — a connection between craft, patience, and the natural world right outside my door.