Bluebird nest box monitoring with Denver Audubon Society

Denver Audubon’s bluebird nest box monitoring program runs from April through August each year. Volunteers are assigned a route of nest boxes installed along trails in Denver-area parks, then visit those boxes on a weekly schedule to check for eggs, nestlings, and fledglings, and to record what species are using each box. The data feeds into regional bluebird population tracking and helps guide nest box placement and maintenance decisions each season.

The program starts with a training session in late March or early April that covers identification (bluebirds share boxes with tree swallows and house wrens), how to safely inspect an active nest, and how to use the data recording system. After training, monitoring is largely independent — you work your assigned route on your own schedule within the weekly window, which typically takes one to two hours per visit depending on route length. Denver Audubon staff are available by email throughout the season if you encounter something unusual at a box.

This is a seasonal recurring commitment, not a drop-in activity. The program works because volunteers show up consistently, so Denver Audubon asks participants to commit to the full April–August season before signing up. If your schedule only allows occasional participation, the nest box program isn’t the right fit — but it’s worth bookmarking for a season when you can. Volunteers must be 18 or older. Prior birding experience is helpful but not required; the training covers everything you need.

How to sign up

Visit denveraudubon.org and look for the bluebird monitoring program under their conservation or volunteer pages. Training session dates for the 2026 season are typically posted in February or March. Spots fill quickly once registration opens, so checking the site early in the year is the best way to secure a slot.