Installing a blink camera into your nest box is as easy as screwing the mount into the birdhouse and then clipping the camera onto the mount. Additionally, you’ll want to use the Live View mode of the app to position the camera, and be sure to have the necessary supplies on hand.
In this article, we go step-by-step on how to install the Blink camera into the nest box. Below, we also detail the supplies you’ll need. We also have a video guide, and will use shots from the video in order to illustrate some of the concepts in this article.
If you don’t already have a Blink camera, you can also check out why it is one of the most ideal cameras for nest boxes and birdhouses in this article here. There are so many amazing benefits to having this type of motion-activated video camera in your nest box.
Supplies:
Blink camera (either model)
Blink app
Nest box
Mounting screws
Phillips Screwdriver
Awl (optional)
Toothpaste (optional)
Strong double-sided tape or mounting tape (optional)
1. Download and set up the Blink app if it’s not already.
The Blink app can be downloaded onto your phone. There are also ways to run the app on your PC/laptop.
After it’s loaded on your phone or computer, you’ll want to set up the system, so it’s connected and is running on your Wi-Fi.
2. Clip your camera to its mount and begin to position in the nest box using the Live View on the app.
Clip your camara to its mount. Then, with your nest box handy, begin to position the camera in the nest box.
You’ll want to use the Live View button in the app to view what will show up on the camera.
When you do this, be sure the base of the mount is flat against the roof of your nest box.
3. Unclip the camera from the mount. While leaving the mount in position, mark where you’ll place your mounting screws.
Once you’re happy with where the camera with its mount is positioned, you’ll want to carefully unclip your camera. The mount might slip a little, but it won’t be bad. You just want a good approximation of where in the birdhouse you want to position it.
While you’re mount is still in place, mark where you’ll place your mounting screws using your awl while you have your mount. If you don’t have an awl, a thin nail or possibly a thumbtack will work. You can also try to use the tip of the screws to push into the wood, making a starter hole and marking where the screws will go.
You could try, at this point, to go ahead and screw the mount to your birdhouse. But this can sometimes be difficult to maneuver. Therefore, you’ll probably want to continue on with the other steps.
If you have a birdhouse with a side opening, it’s better to estimate the mount positioning. You can use a pen or marker to mark the whole position rather than marking where the screws go. Or you can place some toothpaste where the screw holes of your mount are, then once you have the mount in the best location for viewing, press it against the roof, thus stamping some toothpaste. The toothpaste serves as a way to mark your holes and is easy to clean off. This will also help in the next steps.
Bonus tip: In either case, use strong double-sided tape or mounting tape to stick your mount to the nest box after it’s positioned. This is temporary, but will help with your next steps.
4. Take the top off your box for easy mounting, or take off some of the side walls for easy mounting.
Though not impossible, it is a little difficult to drive screws into your next box in order to mount the Blink camera while the nest box is still fully assembled.
Instead, once all the holes are marked, if your nest box was put together with screws, you can unscrew the top off of the birdhouse and work just with that.
If your birdhouse is the type with a side opening, unscrewing the top definitely makes the job easier.
Sometimes, your birdhouse will be such the kind that you’ll have to take apart some of the walls in order to do this. Don’t let that scare you. It’s all very easy to put them back together.
Be sure you have the right type of screwdriver on hand when doing this.
5. Attach your camera mount with screws.
Now that your top is off, or you have your birdhouse in such a way that it’s easy to get your hands in there, attach your mount by screwing it into the marked points of your birdhouse.
The screws that come with the camera are already tipped. So you’ll be able to use a screw driver to get them in with little trouble.
A screw gun/drill will also make the job a lot quicker, but is not required.
6. Put the top back on your nest box.
Once your mount is attached, it’s time to put the top back on your nest box. If you took the sides or other parts apart, just take a moment to put everything back together.
Don’t worry. This won’t take long, and it’s not very difficult.
7. Clip the camera to the mount and position it using the Live View mode.
When the camera is on the mount, it’s able to be better positioned and angled. This is thanks to how the mount works to sort-of toggle into position.
Clip your camera to the mount, and then open up your Blink app and launch the Live View mode. Use the live view mode to determine exactly how you want to position the camera.
The upside is that you can change how it’s positioned later.
8. Set up your birdhouse and arm your camera.
The last thing that is left to do is set up your bird house and then use the app to arm your camera. Arming it means that it’s set to go on whenever it detects motion.
When motion does occur, it will capture a few seconds of motion and you can choose to keep it or discard it from the app.
We recommend sharing it to a Google Drive account so your camera’s storage stays free.
Important battery saving tip:
Because of all the movement that can happen in a nest box, the Blink camera can run out of batteries a lot quicker than it normally would. To save batter life, you can keep your camera in “disarmed” mode and then use the “live view” mode for monitoring.
Important bird health tip:
The camera is an electronic device that runs on a battery. These items can warm up when used, especially at high frequencies. On very hot days, this camera heat emitted into the box could be dangerous.
Keep in mind, that it is not confirmed yet that the Blink cameras emit enough heat into the birdhouses to make it dangerous on a hot day. However, you can take actions to minimize the potential heat output.
On especially hot days, you might want to consider “disarming” your camera and only using the Live View mode for monitoring. This should help reduce battery expense, which will reduce heat output.
Keep in mind, the heat aspect is only a concern on especially hot days.
To make things easier, we have a video that demonstrates step-by-step how to install a Blink camera into a nest box.
Additionally, you can find Blink Outdoor cameras on Amazon for about $100. This is an exceptional value considering all the features and the video quality you get. Plus, it is just a joy to see what’s happening in your nest box. Find an Amazon link* to the blink camera here.
*The Amazon link provided is an affiliate link. This means that we get a very very small commission should you order. This will not cost you anything extra, and the funds help us be able to continue to provide content and support this website.
