Backyard Bluebirding
Subj: Re: Questions
Date: 8/10/99 12:34:12 AM Central Daylight Time
From: Sialiaman"at"aol.com
Sender: owner-BLUEBIRD-L"at"cornell.edu
Reply-to: Sialiaman"at"aol.com
To: BLUEBIRD-L"at"cornell.edu
Dick Purvis, Anaheim CA
Dean is exactly right! Time after time on this list we have heard from people
trying to have a bluebird nest in their backyard where almost inevitably the
nest is lost to house sparrows, wrens, cats, raccoons, snakes, et all. I would
like to have a nest in my yard too but I would just be killing the bluebirds
because of the sparrows, cats, people , etc. Meanwhile there are hundreds of
locations which are ideal for bluebirds that have no nestboxes. In my little
county I could show you wide open parks, golf courses, and cemeteries where
hundreds of nestboxes could be placed, where there are no wrens or house
sparrows. I'm sure its the same in your location.
I would advise that if you must attract bluebirds
to your backyard do it properly. Trap the sparrows. Provide baffles and metal
posts to stop raccoons. Get rid of your cat. Provide shade. Use a well designed,
large, ventilated, weatherproof nestbox and monitor it regularly.
Subj: back-yard bluebirding
Date: 8/10/99 10:06:45 AM Central Daylight Time
From: wforres1"at"twcny.rr.com (Bill Forrester)
Sender: owner-BLUEBIRD-L"at"cornell.edu
Reply-to: wforres1"at"twcny.rr.com
To: bluebird-l"at"cornell.edu
Hi,
I have read with interest the posts about location, and how bluebirds would be
better off if we placed boxes on country trails instead of near the house where
we can watch them. I agree in part, but must remind everyone that some of us
don't have the stamina to trot around for a mile carrying stepladders, etc.
Fortunately, it is indeed possible to raise BBs near the home. I live in a
suburb of a small city, where the yards are around 1/2 acre, with established
trees. My
most preferred box is 10 yards from the garage. All are mounted at 6 ft. so I
can see without stepladders. While not ideal, we have fledged almost 40 BBs in
six years, which pleases me, since almost no one in the area has ever even seen
a BB. We also have tree swallows and chickadees every year, and once a
red-breasted nuthatch. I hang lots of flimsier boxes along the trees at the very
back to keep the wrens happy. I visit all neighbors who feed birds or put out
water and suggest good locations for a box. I invite them and all the many
children into my garage to watch the birds at the box, and lift them up to see
the babies inside once a day. I put rolls of chicken wire under active boxes
extending out 5-6 feet on either side to deter cats and ground predators (it can
easily be rolled away for lawnmowing), and monitor daily. The children chase any
cat, chipmonk, squirrel, or starling from the boxes and tell me immediately if
they hear a HOSP (I show them pictures and play bird tapes). Three of my
neighbors fledged bluebirds this year and are getting an enormous kick out of
the whole thing! And hopefully the kids will grow up to be bluebirders. Back
yards perhaps offer a great opportunity for all of us who can't monitor a trail.
The bluebirds would probably prefer wide-open spaces, but seem to be adapting
very well to our neighborhood.
Thanks for listening,
Dot Forrester
Subj: Yard
birds.
Date: 8/10/99 1:38:12 PM Central Daylight Time
From: blueburd"at"srnet.com (Bruce Burdett)
Sender: owner-BLUEBIRD-L"at"cornell.edu
Reply-to: blueburd"at"srnet.com
To: wforres1"at"twcny.rr.com
CC: BLUEBIRD-L"at"cornell.edu (BLUEBIRD-L)
The Forresters, et al,
I monitored about 50 boxes in Sunapee this summer, all in open country on other
people's property. I had none in our own yard because we live in a heavily
wooded part of town in which Bluebirds would never nest. Believe me, if I
thought there were the remotest chance of having a pair nest in our yard where
we could watch them, I'd try it. But I sympathize completely with the Forresters.
They do what they're able to do, and if they can get some Bluebirds to nest in
their
yard, more power to them. It sounds as though they're making the most of their
situation, and educating the neighborhood children as well. Apparently they're
also protecting their birds from the many predators that are inevitable in their
suburban setting.
I don't recall that
we know where the Forresters live, - near what small city. If they're successful
in the suburbs, they must live in a Bluebird-rich part of the continent. I doubt
very much, judging from their description, that they would be successful in a NH
suburb. Our Bluebird population is simply too sparse, - too thin. In most
regions of NH, our houses MUST be out in open country, otherwise we would have
no success at all. As long as NH Bluebirds have open land available, they'll opt
for it. Like the Forresters, I envy people who can monitor hundreds of boxes
spread out all over the countryside. I don't see how they do it, and I'm filled
with awe. I can barely do justice to my 50-odd, nonetheless next year I hope to
go for 70.
Bruce Burdett, NH Bluebird Conspiracy, Sunapee NH
Subj: more back-yard bluebirding
Date: 8/10/99 2:28:19 PM Central Daylight Time
From: wforres1"at"twcny.rr.com (Bill Forrester)
Sender: owner-BLUEBIRD-L"at"cornell.edu
Reply-to: wforres1"at"twcny.rr.com
To: bluebird-l"at"cornell.edu
Hi,
Thanks to all who have written about my first posting. We live at the eastern
tip of Lake Ontario in the snow belt, about halfway between Watertown and
Syracuse in NY. It is NOT considered a bluebird-rich area, although two enormous
trails have been running successfully for years - one outside of Syracuse and
the other 1 hour north of us. We are probably getting their overflow. I saw my
first bluebird ever 7 years ago, so I put up my first ((too late) box then. I
was only trying to make the point that erecting boxes in suitable spots in yards
is not simply wasted effort. Sometimes you get lucky! Who knows what birds
are out there if you don't try? Even if we had never attracted bluebirds, other
cavity nesters are also in trouble and could use some help, and they are all fun
to watch. It also has semi-restored my faith in human nature to see young
children trying to protect the birds as best they can.
Dot Forrester
Subj: yard
bluebirds
Date: 8/10/99 7:06:10 PM Central Daylight Time
From: grobyak"at"rt66.com (Rob Yaksich)
Sender: owner-BLUEBIRD-L"at"cornell.edu
Reply-to: grobyak"at"rt66.com
To: BLUEBIRD-L"at"cornell.edu (bb)
Rob Yaksich
ABQ, NM
72* + approaching t-storms (again)
Ola amigos! I got my start bluebirding by putting up a couple of boxes in and
around our yard. We lived in an outer neighborhood that was tucked into the
pinon-studded foothills, but also spread out into the plains. Our neighbors had
a successful box in their yard and I tried for 2 long summers to get the WEBLs
to move into mine, but with no success. Then one magical summer, BOOM, there
they were. And not just 1 pair, but 2 - 1 in front 1 in back. Each year, I put
up a few more houses around the yard (God bless my tolerant and endlessly
supportive parents), and started getting VGSW and MOBLs. The best year had WEBLs,
MOBLs, VGSWs, HOWR, Plain Titmice (mouses?) and Flickers. WOW WHAT A YEAR! Not
that our yard was the size of the Serengeti - a 1/2 acre + an adjoining 1/4 acre
vacant lot, but we must have had the right mix of stuff (or the only available
cavities in a pinon-dominated woodland).
Some people who lived over the hill from us near the local golf course had EABLs
in their boxes for years and years, and I ended up getting a pair in one of mine
that I placed on the golf course. After our yard started looking like a cavity
nesters Aspen, my parents gently suggested I branch out around the neighborhood
(including the golf course) and even up to the ranch my Dad used to manage (and
where I hope to begin work on my Master's thesis in Conservation Biology next
summer). Yes, we had our share of HOSP, EUST and feline problems within the yard
and neighborhood, but we fledged I don't know how many baby birds. I kept slight
track of it - what teenager wants his friends to see him counting baby birds?
Hindsight, being what it is, makes me wish I had done it anyway. In fact, a
gentleman who moved to NM from the East Coast remarked to my Dad that he hadn't
seen a bluebird since he was a kid and was just thrilled to see so many of them
in his new surroundings.
Anyway, I am glad this exchange about yard birding has come along. It's where I
got my start and I know that future generations of bluebirders may get theirs,
should there still be a few rural neighborhoods left.
r
PS - Being a New Mexican, it would be blasphemous for me to write "pinyon." I
just can't get the little '~' to work right on my computer. My friends who are
Hispanic would never let me live down "gringo-izing" pinon.:)
(proper pronounciationis pee NYON)
Subj: oh no! What have I done....
Date: 8/12/99 12:32:01 PM Central Daylight Time
From: wforres1"at"twcny.rr.com (Bill Forrester)
Sender: owner-BLUEBIRD-L"at"cornell.edu
Reply-to: wforres1"at"twcny.rr.com
To: bluebird-l"at"cornell.edu
Hi,
Here I am, only a list member for about a month, and my original posting
concerning backyard bluebirding is threatening to stir up some unpleasantness
and competitiveness! All I ever wanted was to encourage all members with
unsteady legs to try a bluebird box in their yard, and suggest some ways to deal
with the inevitable cats and kids. Obviously everyone here is interested in
helping bluebirds in the best way he can. I have infinite admiration for all
those who run trails, donating vast quantities of work and time, and I envy them
with all my heart. Without these trails, most of us would have no bluebirds in
our yards to
attract. I would hope that any backyard birder would control HOSP (I suggest
vigilance, a good sparrow trap, especially early in the season, and much
practice with a BB gun). So please, can we all work together as friends to
encourage bluebirds in all possible ways???
Thanks for listening,
Dot Forrester
Subj: Re: oh no!
What have I done....
Date: 8/12/99 1:24:38 PM Central Daylight Time
From: K_A_SMITH"at"att.net
Sender: owner-BLUEBIRD-L"at"cornell.edu
Reply-to: K_A_SMITH"at"att.net
To: wforres1"at"twcny.rr.com
CC: BLUEBIRD-L"at"cornell.edu (Bluebird List at Cornell)
Dear Dot,
Not to worry! No need for an apology. You have done nothing but to care for, and
help some little blue birds who bring joy to many of us. Thank you. This list is
full of folks like you who have made a huge difference in the survival of this
most precious species. At times, in our zeal and dedication, we get a bit
strident of
voice. But rest assured, 'tis only a measure of the strength of our feelings.
Please don't be put off by any of these enthusiastic discussions of ours. We are
all of
us, totally grateful for all the efforts that all bird lovers make for any
species. Some of us sponsor, maintain and monitor many nestboxes in trails
around the country, and some of us have but one nestbox in the backyard. But all
of us have collected some great information and learnings from our experiences
with
these lovely birds that we share, to the growth of the group's knowledge. Your
contribution - observations, methods, "tricks of the trade", etc. are as
important
and useful as anyones. It is true that often a "newbie" (as Haleya terms us),
because of our relative inexperience and lack of "prejudice", can shed new light
on old topics. And example would be the 12 day rule recently discussed. All the
respondents had variying amounts of experience and different practices - long
and brief - but what good info we all learned from those discussions! I say,
wade on in, and splash about with the rest of us trying to learn to swim.
Sydney, the wise psychiatrist on M.A.S.H. said it best: "Ladies and gentlemen,
take my advice, Pull down your knickers, and slide on the ice".
We should take all things seriously, but always to heart.
All the best to you Dot!
Katherine
...
Date: Tue, 16 May 2000 21:57:31 -0400
From: "Fawzi P. Emad femad <at> fpemad <dot> com
To: "bluebird-l" BLUEBIRD-L"at"cornell.edu
Subject: Backyard bluebirding!
Hello all! This Message is for "backyard bluebirders".
About 4 miles away from home I have a trail of eastern bluebirds (EABL) and
tree swallows (TRES) and I let nature take its course on the trail (really
though, I think providing a box and monitoring the trail are interference by me,
hence not entirely natural). I do not provide the birds on the trail with food
or water.
Here at home, I also have EABL and TRES doing very well in our backyard. I do
feed the EABL mealworms in a special feeder, and I do that three times a day.
Only the EABL know how to get into the feeder, it is one I designed and has no
holes at the ends. It has a long opening all the way around about 1&1/4" high.
The EABL are used to my whistle and will come to feed as soon as I show up. I
also provide them with a bath and a dropper which they seem to enjoy with
abandon.
In addition I have a tube type feeder with six perches for the birds to feed.
Here I use peanut hearts and hulled sunflower seeds. Interestingly, the EABL
started to feed on this feeder *regularly*! They are even feeding the babies
(which are about 13 days old now). When I saw larger birds coming to feed (bluejays,
grackles, cardinals) I decided to move this feeder to the other side of the
house.
When our friend Barry Whitney heard from me that I am moving the feeder away,
he suggested I put it in a cage to prevent the larger birds from getting into
it, thus only the smaller birds including the EABL could continue to feed.
Seeing the price of such cages is about $60, I decided to make my own using
vinyl coated 2by3 mesh. By making two cylinders and sliding one inside the other
I could vary the size of the mesh, and I adjusted it to
1&1/4 by 3. I put the feeder inside the cage and hung it back. All the time
while I was making the cage, the EABL were watching me! As soon as I started
walking away they began to carry the peanut hearts to their babies. This happens
several times a day, even though they have live mealworms in the mealworm feeder
plus lots of insects all over the yard!!!
I think this may be of great interest to backyard bluebirders... if any of
you likes more information, or if you have questions and/or concerns, please let
me know. Thanks.
Fawzi Emad in Laytonsville, MD
From: "david calhoun" dlcdmd"at"bellsouth.net
To: BLUEBIRD-L"at"cornell.edu
Subject: wire for bluebird perches
Date: Tue, 18 Mar 2003 17:38:40 -0500
I have bb boxes.I thought it might be a good idea to string wie from tree to
tree in my yard to add more available perches for bb's that are hunting for
insects. Goood idea?(The trees are quite separated.)Also, would twine be better
than wire? Has anyone done this?Thanks to all.David Calhoun.
Date: Tue, 18 Mar 2003 17:14:52 -0600
Subject: wire for perches
From: BJ Boykin bjgator"at"eatel.net
To: bluebird BLUEBIRD-L"at"cornell.edu
I would think rope would be better than wire...better seen and would not cut
if they flew into it...something bigger than twine is my thoughts. A better foot
hold...
bobbie
south louisiana
From: "Fawzi P. Emad femad <at> fpemad <dot> com
To: dlcdmd"at"bellsouth.net
Cc: bluebird-L"at"cornell.edu
Subject: Re: wire for bluebird perches
Date: Tue, 18 Mar 2003 18:28:29 -0500
Hi David. Many of us have seen Bluebirds and other birds perched on electric
power lines. So, I think it will work fine, but be careful to put the wires up
high so you and others would not run into them. One problem: if you tie a wire
around a tree, the tree will be "choked" and may eventually swallow the wire.
Trees are also known to swallow hooks and other hardware attached to them...
Still, I think it would be OK to use a large eye screw and go from tree to tree.
Do you have a thick enough wire? Same thoughts apply for rope (twine would be
too thin.)
Fawzi
Fawzi Emad in Laytonsville, Maryland
femad"at"comcast.net
----- Original Message -----
From: "david calhoun" dlcdmd"at"bellsouth.net
To: BLUEBIRD-L"at"cornell.edu
Sent: Tuesday, March 18, 2003 5:38 PM
Subject: wire for bluebird perches
...
Date: Tue, 18 Mar 2003 16:30:23 -0800
From: Linda Violett lviolett"at"earthlink.net
To: Bluebird-L"at"cornell.edu
Subject: Re: wire/cord perches
Linda Violett - Yorba Linda, Calif.
My first mental reaction to the idea of stringing rope between trees was,
"No, it would be dangerous." Most of us have seen the nasty photos of tangled
dying birds.
However, Bluebirds in my urban area sit on low electrical/telephone wires
strung over front yards while foraging and there shouldn't be any danger as long
as the "wire" consists of a long single length of very thick and visible "wire"
similar to an electrical cord so that other birds (such as mourning doves) don't
get caught in it during panic escapes from hawks, etc.
...
From:Keith & Sandy Kridler
Sent: Saturday, May 27, 2006 11:06 AM
Subject: People naming "their" bluebirds
I think it is pretty cool that especially new bluebirders get all excited and "name" the bluebirds in their backyards. You watch them so close you learn their favorite perches, their habits and they just naturally end up being part of your extended family just as your household pets do.
Just remember that the young they raise are also part of your extended family and you need to educate your neighbors about "your" bluebird families. Also remember that if you fledge even four baby bluebirds from your nestbox this summer and they all survive, then these four children will
break up and come back to the same general region with new spouses next year
and you will need to be sure that YOU or SOMEONE close will put up and monitor FOUR more nestboxes next spring.
The best time to get neighbors interested in your bluebirds is to invite them and their children or grand children over and expose them to the beautiful eggs and then again as the eggs turn into helpless young and then again in a couple of weeks as the naked pink babies turn into teenagers...Share this miracle of life with the next generation....Today is ALWAYS a good day to start bluebirding. Print out pictures to share during the off season but real life size and vocal experiences are better! KK
PS. If you can name all of your bluebirds then you probably don't have enough in your area.kk
From: Tree Greenwood [mailto:doctree"at"crosslink.net]
Sent: Saturday, July 01, 2006 1:09 PM
Subject: Re: Many Thanks!!
On Fri 30 Jun 2006 at 10:52, Joan Doner <jdoner"at"wrongcrowd.com> wrote, in part:
> I just wanted to express my gratitude to all of you dedicated
> bluebirders. I have lived in the eastern part of Los Angeles County
> for 25 years and have kept a record of all the bird species that have
> visited my yard. It is only in the last 3 or 4 years that I have even
> seen bluebirds in the area...
Joan, I'll add my thanks to the Bluebirders who work so hard.
> ... and this year they adopted a nest box in my back yard ...[snip]
Now I want to thank you, Joan, for putting out a nestbox, protecting it from predators and vandals and monitoring it to help the Bluebird pair that chose to nest there.
A thousand homeowners who each intensively monitor and protect just one nestbox each probably fledge more new Bluebirds than a Bluebirder who monitors 1,000 boxes on a huge trail.
Take care of the wee blue birds who chose to join your family as best you can, Joan. Rejoice when you see babies fledging and splashing in a bird- bath. Grieve when a clutch fails or one dies.
In time, that will happen no matter how hard you try to protect them. When disaster strikes, take a moment to count the number that you added to the enjoyment of not just yourself but everyone else who sees flashes of blue. Then smile again.
Thanks a million,
R J 'Tree' Greenwood
Catlett VA
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