Nesting box with video camera
I have a nesting box for great tits (Dutch: “koolmees”, Lat. "Parus Major"). Just below the roof there is a small camera. These cameras have the advantage that you can see in the dark when using infra-red illumination. As far as I have understood, birds can not see infra-red light. So, with some optimization of a regular IP-cam, you can monitor the birds at night. The second generation of the birds cages, which included internet functionality, resulted in a 24-hour observation of a nest in 2015. The nest is off-line right now.
Some insights
There was no nest in 2015, but the activity has been monitored with a camera. In 2016 there was a nest. This gave the opportunity to analyze the data and see the visiting pattern.
Reports on the activities in the nest per year
| 2002 | One nest where all the chicks died |
| 2003 | No nest |
| 2004 | Eight eggs and finally seven young birds |
| 2005 | No nest |
| 2006 | Moved to another house, bird's cage left behind |
| 2014 | Finalized new birdcage in December |
| 2015 | No nest |
| 2016 | Yes, there is a nest |