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Firelands Blue Notes 2010 Series
JANUARY
- "Fifty Years of Firelands Winter Bird
Feeding"
2009 Series on EABL JANUARY - "Winter Blues": winter migration of Eastern Bluebirds FEBRUARY- "Got References?": a listing of books and Internet sites for more detailed information on blue- birding MARCH - "Boot Up For Bluebirds"- very excellent, up to date, blue birding websites can be found on today's Internet.
APRIL
- "It's Not
The Box That Counts... "
MAY - "Patience": why getting started can be difficult... especially the first year JUNE - "Monitoring the Nest-box": what it is and why it must be done on a regular basis JULY - "House Calls": techniques of nest-box monitoring AUGUST - "Knock, Knock": anybody home in that nest-box you've just put up? SEPTEMBER - "End of the Season" OCTOBER - "Construction Zone": common materials used for nest-box construction NOVEMBER - "Your Number's Up": nest-box ID, trails, box numbering/marking DECEMBER - "Under The Tree": useful gifts for the blue-birder on your Christmas list
About Dean Sheldon... Dean Sheldon is a founding member of the Ohio Bluebird Society (OBS) and has served on its board many times over the years. With nearly 30 years of "bluebird experience", Dean is the OBS Coordinator for both Erie and Huron Counties and is very active on the Firelands Audubon Society Board.
For further information on bluebirds, read his
2009 BLUE NOTES series (below). For information on the
development of bluebird trails, please contact
Dean Sheldon @ 419.752.1451.
=
Order PASSERIFORMES - Family
TURDIDAE
Size: 16-21 cm (6-8 in)
Firelands Blue Notes
FIFTY YEARS OF FIRELANDS
DEAN SHELDON in GREENWICH
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Spring House
Although there is some current experimentation with leaving nesting material in boxes on a year round basis, common sense and experience tells us that a good "spring house-cleaning" makes for a healthier and more productive bluebird year. Some thoughts on the process: =>Before starting out, take a moment to review last year's monitoring records to see which (if any) boxes were not productive. Consider possible relocations of those boxes to other sites on your trail. =>Many (if not most) of the nest boxes in our area have been occupied by the deer mouse or white footed mouse over the winter months. In the spring, the boxes are stuffed full of cattail fuzz and other soft plant material for insulation. Acorn shells, weed seeds, field corn and other items from the winter food cache are found in abundance. Adding dimension to the picture, we find that most of the material is soaked with urine. Mouse droppings are found throughout the box. It would be impossible for a bluebird to even enter such a box so... =>Take along a putty knife, beehive tool, or lightweight "wonder-bar" to scrape out the fecal matter and urine-soaked nesting material. => A stiff-bristled 2" paint brush or a parts-cleaning brush works well to complete the dusting out of the boxes. => If possible, it is a good idea to "prop open" the door of the urine-soaked box with a twig or woody stem to permit the box to air dry for a couple of days (depending upon weather/wind conditions) before closing it up for the arrival of its first occupants.
=>Check and fix:
=> Many box repairs can be done
in the field so take along tools: => Some boxes are so badly dilapidated after many seasons of use that they can no longer be repaired on the trail. So, take along a replacement box or two and bring in the old-timers for more extensive rehab in the shop. Many biologists believe that the very act of nest building stimulates the sexual drive in birds. It stands to reason then, that a clean, sturdy and secure nest box can be a real help in successful bluebird propagation.
DEAN SHELDON in GREENWICH ==================================================
With
the approach of winter, many people ask:
Many of the summer resident bluebirds do, in fact, migrate to
warmer areas...but not all of them do. We do not usually
see the summer abundance of bluebirds in open areas during the cold
weather. The ones that stay here move into wooded
areas where they can find shelter in the tree cavities which have
been abandoned by House Sparrows and Starlings. Many EaBls roost communally in those cavities during frigid winter nights. They share body & feather warmth and protection from frosty, bitter winds. Sometimes, the birds will gather in summer's nest boxes for this purpose. Their main food switches from insects to the fruits and berries of the woods. As the sun warms tree bark, insects move about and the bluebirds search for spiders and bark-living insects is on-going. Water is available from springs, seeps, furrows, ditches, thawing pond edges and small streams. As EaBls work into tangles and berry patches for fruit, they have super protection from raptors winging on their daily hunting rounds. However, on bitter cold/full moon nights, many a bluebird has felt the cold talons of resident owls as the silent visitors search the EaBl communal roosts in woodpecker holes looking for a hot, midnight meal. For more information about EaBl, contact Dean Sheldon at 419.752.1451 or email him
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FEBRUARY, 2009:
"BLUEBIRDING" as a
personal activity is a considerably different animal than what most
Over time, many skills
are learned through experience on the trail. Happily [and
fortunately], there are several very excellent reference books which
can be of enormous procedural help to the beginning >>> if one were looking for a single book which would be of the greatest help, it would [by all measures] be the Stokes' BLUEBIRD BOOK. It is an excellent illustrated guide to beginning blue-birding and trail management. There is nothing better! >> THE BLUEBIRD MONITOR'S GUIDE [Berger, Kridler, Griggs] is a bit more advanced than the Stokes' book and should be on any reference shelf; > BLUEBIRD TRAILS: A GUIDE TO SUCCESS [by Dorene Scriven] is now in its 2nd edition and filled with trail tips for the beginner and the advanced bluebirder, as well.
These books are
available at [or by order] at major local booksellers. > GOOGLE: NORTH AMERICAN BLUEBIRD SOCIETY...click on NABS catalog and then click on books; > GOOGLE: CORNELL LAB OF ORNITHOLOGY... click on Shop Online... click Birding Shop...click on Bird Books....left-hand column and scroll down to Bird Families and find Bluebirds. Way back in 1981-82 there were only ditto/mimeo handouts and one book on this subject...plus a whole lot of well worn seat-of-the-pants information available.
Today, these excellent
volumes make for easy reading and even easier understanding. For more information about EaBl, contact Dean Sheldon at 419.752.1451 or email him
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MARCH, 2009: We have been "into" blue birding since the fall of 1981. During that 28 year period, an enormous amount of printed and electronic information has been produced relating to techniques for successfully managing bluebird trails. A number of very excellent, up to date, blue birding websites can be found on today's Internet.
The Best of Bluebird-L Reference Guide: http://birds.cornell.edu/bluebirds>. Bluebird-L is a Listserve [which you can join at no cost] dealing, specifically, with that cavity-nester. Likewise, there is no cost for accessing the Reference Guide. The "Ref Guide" is, by far, the best source of information on the subject to be found anywhere. It is an anthology of the materials produced on Bluebird-L; The Bluebird Box: http://audubon-omaha.org/bbbox/. This website is as good as its title proclaims: everything you might want to know to improve your skills as the manager of a bluebird trail. It is edited and up-dated by Jim McLochlin, a member of the NABS' affiliate, Bluebirds Across Nebraska. The real value of these website sources can be enhanced by joining one [or both] of these very excellent organizations: NABS: http://www.nabluebirdsociety.org. The North American Bluebird Society is a volunteer group which has state, provincial and regional affiliates all across North America. It is devoted to bluebirds and other cavity-nesting species throughout the continent; Cornell Lab of Ornithology: http://www.birds.cornell.edu. This is the finest center for ornithological studies in the entire world. Moreover, its research work extends far beyond birds into every phase of animal biology across the planet. It is a leader in the development of Citizen Science projects throughout America. Those projects bring amateur volunteers into direct contact with professional scientists and researchers at the Lab. The excellence of the literature and the extraordinary quality of the Internet websites makes for more well informed blue birders all across North America. It will enhance your experience as a "fledgling blue-birder" as well. "BOOT UP FOR BLUEBIRDS!" For more information, contact DEAN SHELDON in GREENWICH 419/752-1451 seedbed@accnorwalk.com
====================================================== Those new to blue-birding spend countless hours fretting over what box design to use for attracting these delightful birds. The same can be said about what finish to apply to the outside of the box. Truth is: both of these issues pale in comparison to the inevitable decision which must be made concerning the proper placement of the box in order to attract Eastern Bluebirds [EABL]. Here are some suggestions regarding that aspect of bluebird trail management:
=> place nestboxes in large, mowed yards and/or mowed fields but
only if the premises are neatly kept...no open barns, garages or
outbuildings. House Sparrows [HOSP] are the problem. Likewise,
the typical Ohio farmstead is not good habitat for bluebird
nestboxes;
PATIENCE There is hardly anything more adventurous than setting out a new nest box....and then awaiting its occupants. When it comes to Eastern Bluebirds [EABL], the waiting period is, well, just plain exciting.
The first arrival of a pair of bluebirds is a signal event. Initial
evidence of courtship and nestbuilding add to the excitement...and
then the problems begin: the birds leave, the birds don't return,
the nest is neither started nor finished, other kinds of birds move
in to claim the box for their nesting site. What looked to be
a "slam dunk" for EABL suddenly goes south; depression sets in. Take
heart! PATIENCE is the answer. Willingness to make adjustments is
essential. => proper site selection for the nestbox is all important [location, location, location]. A site too close to feed lots, farm buildings or run-down houses invites House Sparrows. Brushy or woody sites make for certain House Wren take-overs. Even the best bluebird sites invite use by beautiful [and desirable] Tree Swallows. => many times, no resident EABL population exists from which to draw for the newly-established nestbox. Of course, there are plenty of House Sparrows and House Wrens are always looking for a nesting location. In the absence of EABL competition, those interlopers move right in to the new housing. The House Wren male occupies his time filling all available nest boxes with sticks to ward off competition until a female happens by and chooses an appropriate nest site. => plan on aggressive monitoring / trapping in order to remove HOSP nest starts and, thereby, prevent HOSP nesting. An infestation of HOWR may necessitate a relocation of the box to less "wrenny" territory. Both of these invaders make for many repeated visits to the new nest box. => ultimately, and by removing the sparrow nest starts, the trail manager is seeking to create a "window of opportunity" for the bluebirds to establish a nest in the empty box.....and, of course, this is where patience enters into the picture. HOSP are especially aggressive during the first nesting period. With attention to the removal of all early sparrow attempts, the bluebirds might have a nesting opportunity later in that season. We're only talking about avian competition here. Raccoons, feral cats, 'possums, squirrels present entirely different problems: the first three are interested in a meal. Squirrels are looking for a place to live and [maybe as in the case of Red/Flying Squirrels] a meal of eggs or nestlings. At the first sign of these intruders, one might consider finding a new nestbox site. PATIENCE is the hallmark of all of these first-year efforts. Intensive monitoring during the initial placement of new boxes can yield improved results during the second season that the boxes are in place. "Keep strong, if possible. In any case, keep cool. Have unlimited patience.." -Basil H.L. Hart (1960) For more information, contact: ======================================================
"Monitoring the Nest-box:
what
it is and why it must be done on a regular basis" Perhaps the single most important activity relating to the management of any EABL trail is the need to monitor activity in each of the nest boxes on a regular basis. This includes keeping track of nesting progress and observing/correcting nest box problems which may develop during the breeding season. Maintaining a written record of what has taken place at each box location is yet another vital aspect of the monitoring process. There are those who maintain that no bluebird trail [of one or more boxes] should be developed unless the manager is prepared to monitor each of the nest boxes on a regular basis. We subscribe to that concept. Listed below are some of the situations/conditions which may need attention during a typical monitoring visit: => regular examination of the internal/external condition of the nest box particularly with regard to weatherproofing, box opening and stability of the mounting post; => evidence of occupancy and nest construction [whether by EABL, Tree Swallows, House Wrens, House Sparrows or other species], HOSP nests/eggs must be removed/destroyed; HOWR are another matter; => look for signs of predation by 'coons, house/feral cats, HOSP, HOWR and others [scratches, claw marks, disturbed nests, dead chicks or nesting birds killed in the box]; => it is important to inventory numbers of eggs, nestlings [age, size, condition], arrangement/condition of nesting material, suitability of nest cup; => removal of infertile/un-hatched eggs and/or dead nestlings [all of these should be removed from the box and disposed of away from the box itself]; => control of insects in nest box: wasps in upper rear corners [these must be killed or EABL will not nest in the box], blowflies on nestlings, mites, presence of ants [likely to be in the box if there are dead birds or broken eggs or food]. Ants are the scavengers [ the "clean up" squad ]. Removal of the used nesting material after fledging will be a help against ant infestations; => late season [mid-August on] wasps and hornets in/around the box and mounting post pose a serious DANGER to the trail manager....proceed with caution; => look for man-made hazards on the trail: fence posts and fence wire on the ground, woodchuck holes, ground bees, old farm implements and other unseen obstacles hidden by grass/high weeds + poison ivy and brambles; => SAFETY FIRST: need for sun protection, heavy boots/shoes, long pants, traffic caution along roads and highways. Monitoring bluebird trails is serious business and fraught with many discouraging disappointments along the way. A positive and cheerful attitude about the important conservation work being done on behalf of these charming birds will go a long way to offset many of the most difficult moments encountered on any trail. For more information, contact: ======================================================
HOUSE CALLS
For more information, contact: ========================= "Knock, Knock": anybody home in that nest-box you've put up?
~8th in a series~ < WASPS > Just finished a late summer [27JULY]monitoring visit to the Savannah-Ruggles Bluebird Trail in northwestern Ashland County. The monitoring of these 20 nest boxes is shared with faculty/students from the Biology Department of The College of Wooster. We ran into small paper wasps which are often found in the upper rear corners of boxes. Those pose no great threat and are easily dispatched by crushing with a knife or trail tools. Generally speaking, no birds will nest in boxes occupied by these paper wasps which may appear throughout the season. The temperature was 87* at noon and we encountered the first batch of <LATE SEASON PAPER WASPS > (possibly a different species). These often build COLONIAL NESTS IN AND UNDER EABL BOXES. THEY ARE VERY DANGEROUS AND WILL ATTACK AS THE BOX IS OPENED FOR INSPECTION. These are not the docile insects which we experience throughout the nesting season (see above). These more aggressive insects tend to congregate during and after the last nesting. They are most often found as the trail manager returns for a final box cleaning at the end of the season. < BEES/BUMBLEBEES > Bees of all kinds....but especially Honey Bees and Bumblebees are known to have nests in EABL boxes. More likely, their nests will be found in the hollow posts or pipes used to hold boxes OR in fence posts and other structures adjacent to the trail. Bees are extremely dangerous. They must not be disturbed even if that means not monitoring a box until an insecticide can be applied (and there are chemicals which can be used which are harmless to birds....but they must not be applied directly on the birds). Bumblebees ALSO nest in burrows in the ground and can be encountered in those locations all along the trail. Do your trail observations from a safe position so as to avoid ground contact with these dangerous insects. < CARPENTER BEES > Appropriately named, these insects nest in the stems of bushes/shrubs along the trail. They can also be found in the excavated cavities of dead wood and tree snags. Stacks of seasoning firewood and brush piles are also likely places to find these insects. They are mostly harmless unless disturbed. < YELLOW JACKETS > These are attracted to sweet, sugary substances. Soft drinks, beer, confections and baked goods always attract their attention. Anyone tending Hummingbird feeders is familiar with these pesky, persistent insects. They make nests out of papery substances in garages, tool sheds, barns and outbuildings of all kinds which may be adjacent to the bluebird trail. < BALD-FACED [WHITE-FACED] HORNETS > Of all of the menacing insects along a bluebird trail, these hornets are, perhaps, the most dangerous . All of us have seen their huge, grey paper nests in trees and shrubs. They build in all kinds of structures and sheds, under bridges and in abandoned farm implements. They have been known to completely fill an EABL nest box with their chambered paper nesting material. And, they are often found attached under the eaves of cemetery structures, and on tombs, mausoleums and monuments. The HORNETS nest in large colonies and WILL ATTACK WITH THE SLIGHTEST PROVOCATION. A SERIOUS, PROLONGED ATTACK CAN BE FATAL. After the last EABL nesting and when the box has been cleaned out and left empty, the HORNETS can move in to the vacant box. It is at this time that the trail manager must be especially vigilant to guard against insect attack. Opening the box just at that time could be disastrous. Plain common sense, familiarity with trail layout and constant vigilance can do much to prevent a serious accident or life-threatening injury on the bluebird trail.
For more information, contact: =========================
END OF THE
SEASON In our part of the Eastern Bluebird world, active nesting tends to wind down in about mid-August. And it is then that the trail manager should begin to think about tidying up nest boxes by giving them a final cleaning and making structural repairs [a new roof, say] on the boxes in preparation for the spring nesting cycle. Some hardy souls take the extra step of removing/storing all of their boxes for the winter season. That is easily accomplished where only two or three backyard boxes are monitored. It is a more arduous task when talking about the removal and remounting of many more boxes than that. As a matter of fact, bluebirds are better off if the boxes are left in place. Those boxes often provide life-protecting shelter for groups of birds which cluster up together for warmth during bitter cold winter nights. Several OBSERVATIONS follow: >nest boxes should continue to be monitored until it is certain that nesting has ceased. That would be evident when there is no longer any nesting material being brought into the box; > the nesting records for each box ought to be carefully checked and noted in the record book which has been kept throughout the season. Record-keeping is important for lots of reasons. However, it is especially important when determining the productivity of a particular nest box site at the end of the season. A less than optimum series of fledglings from a given box may indicate that the box location should be changed to a more productive area; > THE CLEAN UP: - remove and dispose of all nesting material left in the box - thoroughly scrape/brush all interior surfaces. Remove caked-on fecal matter and other detritus left from the nesting season. It is not necessary to wash, scrub or disinfect those surfaces after cleaning - remove mouse nests, insect nesting structures, spider webs and dead insects - check roof for cracks and deteriorated caulking. Re-nail or re-fasten loose box parts. Replace or recover roof as required. Make sure that drainage holes are cleaned and that the floor is tight - check entrance door for fit and closure. Make sure that the door is hung properly for ease of opening. Secure the device used to "lock" door into position - check mounting post for stability and make sure that mounting wire or hardware is tight and in place. Re-drive post if required. Install a new box at that location if required. Double check your trail records. Make notes on other changes required for the upcoming season. Store records where they will be handy in mid-April as you look ahead to your new bluebird year. DEAN SHELDON in GREENWICH seedbed@accnorwalk.com 419/752.1451 =========================
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IWINTER
ROOSTING BOXES If you take the time to thumb through the endless parade of fall gardening, garden supply and birding catalogs, you are bound to find entries suggesting the purchase of special roosting boxes for birds. The commercial sale of these boxes has been very successful. Generally speaking, these boxes are about twice the size of a conventional bluebird nestbox. These proposed winter shelters are about 9" across, 7.5" deep and 19" (+/-) high. The box has a bottom entry hole and six dowel rod interior perches located on the sides of the box. The boxes are constructed of the same wood as is used in bluebird boxes. Home-made versions of this same kind of box often include the use of extra thick wood together with styrofoam (blueboard) insulation for extra protection from cold, windy, wintry nights. There are other variations in the design....all for the purpose of protecting birds in our severe winter climate. Please note: these supplemental roosting boxes are not a required part of bluebirding trail equipment. We have never used these boxes because we find that our resident bluebirds are successful in finding winter shelter in the naturally-occurring nesting cavities found in the deep woods, bottomlands and thick pine-spruce plantations in our area. Furthermore, we find that groups of bluebirds oftentimes roost together in conventional nesting boxes along our trails for warmth on cold nights. Evidence of this can be seen in an accumulation of seeds in the fecal matter discovered in the routine spring cleaning of nestboxes. Sometimes dead birds are found due to overcrowding. There are many good reasons NOT to purchase or employ the use of these roosting boxes. Some of those reasons include: > positioning of the boxes in exposed locations where they are subjected to greater wind and storm conditions; > because of the over-sized dimensions of the chamber, the heat loss opportunities from individual birds is greater. Natural cavities (in trees) make for warmer/more protected roosting circumstances within wooded areas; > the perches permit individual roosting without the communal advantage of "cuddling up" with other birds whose feathers are puffed out and where heat is shared between individual birds; > a bottom entry hole causes a constant draft of cold air. This can cause chilling of birds on the floor of the box....especially if no perches are used; > the exposed location often gives rise to competition from sparrows and starlings. That is generally not the case in the natural, deep woods cavities. In the fall, many sparrows/starlings abandon those wooded nest sites in favor of farmyards and feedlots where there is warmth and a huge food supply over the winter season; > the principal food sources (fruits, berries, insect eggs and wintering insects) for bluebirds are found within wooded areas. Those areas likely would be some distance away from the locations generally chosen for roost boxes. Our FAS Christmas Bird Counts almost always reveal that, in the main, most of the Eastern Bluebirds found on the Counts, are in/around heavily wooded areas. On the Plymouth Count several years ago, we found that 91% of the EABL sighted were in such areas. If that be typical, one can see that there seems to be little reason for the installation of the supplemental roosting boxes. The North American Bluebird Society has undertaken studies and reported that: "Until field testing proves that they are widely used, NABS does not recommend the use of specialized roosting boxes. Adequate roosting sites for birds during the non-breeding season can be provided through natural cavities, or by modifying existing nest boxes through the sealing of ventilation holes and openings under the roof lines of the boxes..." OK: The temptation is always great do "do something special" for bluebirds.....and roosting boxes fall into that category. All bluebirders spend countless hours on the trails of boxes making sure that the bluebirds are cared for during the nesting season (early April into mid-August). So it is only an outgrowth of that concern that causes many bluebirders to want to carry over their efforts into the rest of the year. The evidence clearly shows that roosting boxes do little, if anything, to improve the lot of bluebirds in the off season. Save your resources and add a few more productive nestboxes for the 2010 nesting season.
DEAN
SHELDON in GREENWICH
seedbed@accnorwalk.com For more "roosting" information, read on... 419/752.1451========================= Subject:
Thoughts on bluebirds roosting at night > As fall progresses to winter, Eastern Bluebirds in my region begin to > make the transition from roosting in trees to roosting more in > cavities. We see the same sort of roosting behavior as Andy Brown > reported where a family of bluebirds will crowd together in a nest box. > > NOW I am GUESSING they do this more for the safety factor and NOT > because they are cold. > > When you think about it this makes sense because as the deciduous > trees shed their leaves there are fewer and fewer good hiding places > for a family of bluebirds or other tree roosting species to hide in > the bare limbs of most forest trees. Especially in mixed forests of > evergreens and bare limbed hardwoods it would make it relatively easy > for an owl to slip through the limbs of scattered evergreen trees in a > forest and pick off one roosting bird after another. > > Don't forget that sick birds actually snore at night or wheeze when > they breathe sometimes. ANY noise that one bluebird in a group makes > will bring danger to the whole group. We have kept caged birds for > many years and birds actually can have night mares and absolutely go > nuts sometimes in a cage late a night. Again this is a death sentence > out in the wild. > > When birds squat down on a limb or perch the ligaments in their legs > automatically tighten up and this makes them tighten up their toes > around the limb. When they stand up the ligaments loosen. This simple > adaptation helps them hold on to a limb or twig while they sleep. BUT > occasionally birds will actually fall off of a perch in the night and > then they go thrashing around in the limbs until they find another > perch or then end up falling all the way to the ground! > > Early in the fall you can watch a whole family of bluebirds go to > roost right at dark and sit almost shoulder to shoulder on the same > limb but hidden by scattered larger leaves along the limb. This is so > that the larger leaves break up the silhouette of their bodies making > it harder for an owl to notice them in the dark of the night. > > Pine trees would be great roosting spots as scattered pine cones among > the needles and branches of these species of trees will look like bird > bodies on a starlit night. > > It all depends on the predator owls in your area and the species of > trees available as to whether or not YOUR bluebirds would be safer > sleeping in an old cavity or inside a roost box or just sleeping out > on a limb. > > I would recommend that if you go out at "dark" to check on what used > your nest boxes to roost in that you would WAIT until and hour or two > BEFORE sunrise to actually check on what is in the boxes! This way > MOST of the predators have already eaten just in case your opening of > the nest box startles a roosting bird so bad that it slams into a tree > limb in the dark as it bursts from the box to escape you as it > would/could consider you a predator. > > This is where the use of a dental mirror quietly slipping into the > entrance hole and a weak beam from a flash light can be reflected down > into the bottom of the box to see what is in your nest boxes. > > Nest boxes in parks and other well lit locations with nearby traffic > and people and pets walking around at night will condition the > bluebirds to sit tight and "freeze" in the nests as they are > accustomed to hearing noises from predators all hours of the night! < color="#B69788">> strongest of winds BUT this is something that a bird will readily push > through to enter to roost. This way you can walk by the box at several > yards distance and see if something has entered the box in the last > two hours of daylight. > > Game cameras can be set up very close to a nest box and this will > record what is coming and going from the box. There are lots of in the > box cameras that can be used in roost boxes set up on or near your > house. KK > =========================W
IA
BLUEBIRD CHRISTMAS "....the stockings were hung by the chimney with care in hopes that Saint Nicholas soon would be there." Right about now in almost anyone's bluebird year, thoughts are beginning to turn to Christmas and ways in which to brighten a favorite bluebirder's holiday. Every trail manager has a secret "wish list" of items which would make his monitoring efforts a little easier or more rewarding. Think back, a bit, to those hot, sticky July days....when your bluebirder comes in off the trail, wraps himself around a glass of iced tea and says...."Boy, next year I'm gonna get one of those broad-brimmed Tilley hats (white on top/green underneath) with a chin strap before I go out in the tropical sun like this again. This is crazy!" Family members need to be alert to the even more subtle signs of opportunities for special Christmas gifts, as well. Signs like an almost empty tube of Banana Boat (SPF 50) Maximum Sun block Cream or an empty aerosol can of Cutter's Insect Repellent sitting on a shelf in the garage. Get the idea? In keeping with the trendy tradition of "making a list and checking it twice," we're setting out like Santa's elves to be your helper in putting together a Christmas Gift List For Bluebirders. Jingle...Jingle...Here we go! * Vise-Grips...no bluebirder can get along without this vital piece of trail equipment. We find that the 5" size with square end works best; *the Leatherman (or Gerber) Tool (folds up into a holster) with all kinds of handy tools built in makes an excellent addition to the monitoring tool collection; *A.M. Leonard, Inc. 241 Fox Drive Piqua, OH 45356 or at website http://www.amleo.com or at 800-543-8955 has absolutely the world's best catalog of field items for bluebirders, including: safety gear, measuring equipment, marking and tagging items, fasteners, tools and outdoor clothing; *a hive tool (beekeeper's item) or small WonderBar does the best job in scraping/cleaning box interiors at the beginning of the nesting season and in between nestings. These are found at hardware stores or wherever beekeeping supplies are sold; *visit the lumber yard and check out the nail shelves for Ardox (zinc coated) twist nails for box construction. Also a box of double-headed framing nails would provide a good supply of nails for box closures; *the farm supply store in your area would have a large selection of coiled fence wire for box mounting. We've had the best luck with 14 gauge galvanized wire which is plenty strong and easy to work and twist in place; *an assortment of permanent Magic Markers, lumber crayons and paint sticks for nest box marking would make a surprise addition to any bluebirder's stocking; *a trip to almost any farm auction would yield endless supplies of nuts, bolts, washers, nails, wire, sledge hammers, post pounders, steel fence posts, lengths of black or galvanized iron pipe, PVC pipe/fittings, used lumber and miscellaneous hand tools...all of which are part of the bluebird trail management scene...and just imagine how much fun it would be to have all of those piles of "junk" nestled neatly in front of the fireplace and around the Christmas tree itself! *magazines keep everyone current on the latest in birding across the continent and around the globe. Among the more readable periodicals containing good information, photographs/illustrations, diagrams/maps, how-to information and travel to birding hotspots are: ---Audubon (included in the membership package for The National Audubon Society) ---Birder's World ---Bird Watcher's Digest ---WildBird Presenting "just the right" gift to your Sialian friends and/or relatives can extend the happiness of this 2009 holiday season throughout many productive years on the trail. "....and laying a finger aside of his nose... and giving a nod...up the chimney he rose."
Merry Christmas To All....DEAN SHELDON in GREENWICH seedbed@accnorwalk.com 419/752-1451
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Advice from
Keith Kridler Mt. Pleasant, Texas
Female Bluebird
Bluebird Nest
Juvenile Bluebird
Several people have asked what they could plant for the birds to
provide food during this cold period... Well the BEST thing you can do is to drive around your local area or local region and just identify the plants that still have fruits and or berries right now. There are LOTS of berry producing plants that birds LOVE in the late fall and early winter BUT most birds starve to death from late January till early March! The three most important things to consider when planting trees and shrubs on your property are soil, Soil and SOIL! GET a soil analysis done to find out your PH. Find out what nutrients are normally available in your soil. Find out what soil type you have, know your local rainfall amounts! In Texas and MANY other states the government completed soil survey books for most of the USA back after World War II. They wanted to identify all the different soil types so that there was a record of every piece of property that could grow crops. If we had another major war they would provide these landowners with seeds and tools to feed America. YOU can go to your county agent or soil conservation officer and check out your property in these books. The county agent will be able to give you soil sample kits and tell you where to send off for the analysis. Once you find out the soil structure you can then start searching for what trees and plants will grow. Then there are the plant hardiness zones giving you the average winter cold temperatures that limit what plants will survive long term. Sun and shade requirements are HUGE. MANY fruit producing trees and shrubs will grow in the shade but will NOT produce ANY fruit because they never get enough hours of sunshine. Hollies, junipers, Red Cedar, mistletoe and MANY other species of plants will be either male or female meaning the individual plant will either produce pollen or fruit but not both. Some plants like pecans cannot self pollinate themselves as their pollen is produced at a time when the nutlets on that tree are not receptive so they require another pollinator tree of a different variety. Almond trees in California need 100,000 honey bees per ACRE when the trees are blooming in Feb. to get a crop. Native bees and insects cannot pollinate larger orchards as birds will decimate non stinging pollinating insects in early spring :-)) My 20 acres actually have three major soil structure zones that severely limit what plants will grow where. My soils were 4.5 PH or EXTREMELY acid before I amended parts of them to PH of 6.8<7.0 For growing Blueberries and blackberries I need acid soils! For growing clovers and other legumes I need PH at 7.0<8.5 Soooo, what do you want to grow? The problem with soils with HIGH PH # or LOW PH numbers is that these lock up some of the essential plant nutrients into complex salts and base materials creating a soil totally deficient in certain minerals. BUT some plants have evolved that NEED these certain PH levels and they NEED the soils to be lacking certain minerals....Maybe tomorrow I will have time to create a post on the actual plants that have fruits and berries. MAYBE others will chime in over the next couple of days to create a snapshot on what you see birds eating right now in the different parts of the country.
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Bluebirds
