Giffs Farm - Nest Box Photo Blog
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   In March of ’07 I replaced three of my nest boxes with new oversized (taller) boxes.  The extra height added above the entrance opening was so that I could install small inferred cameras.  The cameras are all wired out the nest boxes, along the top of the pen, through a barn and into the back of my garage.  In the garage I have a small b/w television.  The wiring from all three cameras goes into an audio/video multi switch box first and then to the tv.  I can view what is going on in each box without being close to the pen. 

Below is information on each camera and nest box.  I will try to pass on as much info as possible.  The first nest box used that I was able to record was nest box 2 in March of 2007.  Click on the link highlighted year (example: Nest Box 2 2007) above the nest box photo for pictures, video and info of what is happening.  I expect activity for 2008 to begin in early April.


Nest Box 1 2008

nest box 1		 Nest Box 2 2007
Nest Box 2 2008

nest box 2		 Nest Box 3 2008

nest box 3


Nest Box 1....faces south-east, it is 12x10x32" front height. (back is 36"tall)  Hole is 16 inches up from bottom with the hole measuring 3.5x4" wide.  Bottom has 5 - 1/4" drain holes drilled, top is hinged on left side.   The camera used is a 30LED infrared security spy cam.  It can be used as wireless or can be wired.  Since power30led security cam needed to be run to it anyway, I went ahead and ran wire for the video also.  Camera cost around $30, wire (100') RCA connectors audio/video/power cost around $25, both can be found at online stores including ebay.  The camera is mounted high up in the back of the box.  This camera was more clear than the other but it does seem to get warm quickly.  I put a one inch vent hole covered with screen toward the top of the box to help with ventalation but I won't get a true test till it starts getting later in the spring.  The wire goes along the ground in some tubing and then up the side and along the top into the garage.  The RCA connections are run into an RCA switch box and then to a small 13" tv.  Everything can be viewed without disturbing the box.  Both day and night video were good.
Nest Box 2....faces east, it is 12x10x32" front height. (back is 36"tall)  Hole is 16 inches up from bottom with the hole measuring 3.5x4" wide.  Bottom has 5 - 1/4" drain holes drilled, top is hinged on left side.   The camera night owl camused is a 6LED Night Owl Nature Cam, it is about half the size of the other one used.  It is direct wired and comes with 100', you can also buy 100' extensions if you need.  Camera with the direct wired 100' (RCA connections also) cost around $50.  This can also be found online.  The camera is mounted high up in the back of the box.  One thing a little tricky on this was focus.  It has to be focused manually so there were a few adjustments that had to be made after the box went up. This camera does not seem to get warm like the other so I did not put any additional ventilation. The wiring for this one is exposed but runs along the top of the pen.  The RCA connections are run into an RCA switch box and then to a small 13" tv.  Everything can be viewed without disturbing the box.  Both day and night video were good.

Nest Box 3....faces north, it is 12x10x32" front height. (back is 36"tall)  Entrance hole is 16 inches up from bottom with the hole measuring 3.5x4" wide.  Bottom has 5 - 1/4" drain holes drilled, top is hinged on left side.   The camera used is a 30LED infrared security spy cam similar to the camera in nest box 1 but without the30led box 3 cam option of being wireless.  Camera cost around $30, wire (50') RCA connectors audio/video/power cost around $15, both can be found at online stores including ebay.  The camera is mounted high up in the back of the box.  One thing to note about the different cameras, having the camera not direct wired gives the advantage of being able to remove your nest box more easily.  Boxes need to be removed each year for maintenance and just unplugging the RCA connectors is much easier than having to remove the camera as with the Night Owl cam in nest box one. Like the others, the wire runs out the back (top) of the nest box and runs along the top of the pen into the garage.  The RCA connections are run into an RCA switch box and then to a small 13" tv.  Everything can be viewed without disturbing the box.