Here at the James Reserve, we not only have nest boxes put up for various species such as Western Bluebirds, but we have many of the boxes instrumented with video cameras and ambient sensors. This provides us with a unique opportunity to eavesdrop on the nesting behavior of the species using the boxes. The most common species to use the boxes is western bluebirds but we also have noted violet-green swallows and chickadees using them. Although the boxes are most active during spring and early summer, we have even recorded use of them during the winter by several species. These boxes have provided a lot of data so far but still await a creative ornithologist/bird behaviorist to expand the information they may provide about bird behavior here at the James.
Click on the thumbnail of a nestbox, and you’ll be redirected to the nestbox page, which includes its location on the James. Archived images of all the nest boxes can be located at the James Reserve image library.
 Nest Box 03 |  Nest Box 08 |  Nest Box 11 |  Nest Box 14 |
 Nest Box 21 |  Nest Box 22 |  Nest Box 31 |  Nest Box 45 |
 Nest Box 47 |  Nest Box 48 |  Nest Box 54 |  Nest Box 55 |
Bird Feeder Camera
Besides cameras in nesting boxes, we also have cameras pointed at the bird feeders we have outside of the Trailfinders Lodge. These cameras allow visitors to our sit a glimpse of the many species we have at the James and gives us an opportunity to keep track of how numbers and species may change over time. Click here to view who is coming to our feeders.
Click on the thumbnail of the birdfeeder, and you’ll be redirected to the birdfeeder page.
 Bird Bath |
 Hummingbird Feeder |
Robotic Cameras
We also have robotic camera on the reserve that can be pointed at specific parts of the reserve and provide phenology research data. Currently due to the age of these cameras they are not compatible with the current browsers. Although we can not provide active control anymore we can provide snapshot viewing of specified pan tilt zoom setting.
Click on the links of the Robocam, and that robocam will move to that position and return a snapshot of the current view.