A bird’s-eye view of nesting season

From where I’m sitting, I can see into the nest of a falcon, a bald eagle, a California condor, two osprey, and an Atlantic puffin. If you’re thinking, that’s physically impossible: you’re right! Gold star in geography.

That gray fluffy blob on the right is a baby puffin, called a “puffling.” If you’re feeling stressed out, watch this fluff ball waddle around in its burrow for a few minutes: https://explore.org/livecams/puffins/puffin-burrow-cam

Technologically though, it’s a cinch. Nesting cams have become increasingly popular over the last decade at nature centers, universities, wildlife sanctuaries, and more. There are several streaming live from national wildlife refuges at this very moment.

But the view from the newest nesting cam on my radar is not available online — it’s broadcasting from a kiosk beside the parking area at the Fort River Birding and Nature Trail located on the Fort River Division of the Silvio O. Conte National Fish and Wildlife Refuge in Hadley, Massachusetts.

Visitors check out the view from four live feeds of nesting footage broadcasting from barn swallow nesting space. USFWS

On-site nesting cams are to online nesting cams what movie theaters are to streaming movies at home. Same content, different viewing experience. The online cams provide a virtual escape to nature; the in-person cams enhance experience in nature. Both provide an intimate view of a critical time in the life cycles of birds that many humans can relate to. We don’t use the terms “nesting” and “empty nester” for nothing.

The on-site nesting cam kiosk at Fort River features four live feeds from high-resolution security cameras tucked into new nesting spaces for barn swallows installed in a building on site. Just last week, refuge staff added a modified bat maternity box and an adaption to a tree swallow box to allow the “real time” viewing of these species, along with the barn swallows. In preparation for next nesting season, the refuge has erected a pole that has a dozen prospective purple martin nest sites and will be holding an extended “open house” for the purple martins that pass by during the fall migration.

Now showing: A barn swallow sitting on her nest. USFWS

Apparently the birds took to the new facilities quite well. Staff recorded 30 pairs of barn swallows producing more than 150 eggs — and counting — using the artificial nesting structures. Refuge staff anticipate a second wave of nesting to begin soon, which should provide new opportunities for public viewing at the observation kiosk.

What’s on screen? When I visited in early June, I saw one female barn swallow do a little shimmy on her nest, like when you’re settling into a comfortable position on the couch with a good book. Another stared directly into the camera and actually seemed to wink at me. She probably just had some dust her in eye, but still: I felt a connection. And that’s the point.

“It is our hope this exhibit will give these species the opportunity to employ their charm and increase their visibility while visitors are immersed in their environment,” said refuge manager Andy French. “Aerial insectivores are not only entertaining, they provide a tremendous service by dining on a variety of biting insects.”

Visiting a wildlife refuge gives you an opportunity to observe nature, and gives nature an opportunity to observe you: this tree swallow serves as a lookout from a building at Fort River outfitted with new nesting structures for aerial insectivores. USFWS

Through this technology, Fort River provides a new way for visitors to engage with wildlife at a site that was designed to break down barriers between people and nature. The one-mile long trail is universally accessible, with a number of spacious pull-offs along the way for observing wildlife, or just enjoying some peace in nature. When I last walked the trail — on a sunny afternoon — two women were sitting quietly and reading in the shade at one of the overlooks.

Fort River is not the only national wildlife refuge with on-site nesting cams. Great Swamp and Chincoteague provide digital bird watching through this technology as well.

The two nesting cams at Great Swamp — one showing a purple martin nest and one in a bluebird box — serve as educational tools, as well as opportunities for visitors to observe passively.

Purple martins are the stars of a nesting cam at Great Swamp National Wildlife Refuge. Vic Baran

“The video feeds are running anytime the visitor center is open, but we also use them for specific programs,” said Jonathan Rosenberg, manager of visitor services. “Sometimes the bird camera is actually the focal point of the program.”

But it’s important to remember that although nesting cams give us a window into the life of birds, they also feature a reality show of nature taking its course. And reality isn’t always cute and fluffy.

“We once had a red-tailed hawk eat a songbird in front of the viewing window,” Rosenberg explained.

While the circle of life isn’t always pretty, having the capability to see the lives of critters in real time might open the door to a deeper connection between humans and the wildlife with whom we share our planet.

In this unprecedented time, webcams and video chat are critical for bringing humankind together. Don’t you think it’s time we use this technology to connect to nature as well?