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Bluebird Education & Presentation (Part 2)Date: Wed, 14 Mar 2001 22:48:40 -0600 Steve Garr Please join me this Sunday, March 18th, 11:00am - 12:00pm, for a presentation on Bluebirds. I will be showing slides on EABL and other native cavity nesters. The main part of my presentation will be on bringing Bluebirds back to the city. I will be sharing first hand experience on the downtown Nashville TN trail. Learn what you can accomplish in your city or state park. See how working with NABS and your state Bluebird orginization can bring back the Bluebird. Ideal locations for nestboxes are maintained lawns and parks. Learn how an assortment of berry-producing plants can supply natural food year-round for your songbirds. Bluebird feeders add to the enjoyment of your backyard Bluebird box. Also March 18th, 3:30 - 4:30pm - "Hummingbirds" Steve Garr For more info. University of Illinois Extension Date: Tue, 12 Jun 2001 11:43:55 -0700 Dear Carolyn and friends, I am in the process of trying to get a permit to have the male Bluebird mounted and in my possession for educational purposes. I'm just waiting for Fish and Game to respond and will be happy to share the results with everyone. If anyone can supply a short cut then let me know. I try to set up seminars on Bluebirds, Barn Owls and other Bio-Diversity species at schools, book stores, golf and vineyard managers offices or anywhere else that my Bio-Diversity program can be utilized or can aid in the education of others. I enlist the services of my friends at CDF to come speak and I would enjoy having other Bluebirders speak with me too. It has been my first hand experience that whenever I first mention the word "Bluebird" to people the first thought that comes to their mind is a "Blue jay". Once I describe what a Bluebird looks like they generally tell me that they "have never seen a Bluebird". Showing the uninformed what a Bluebird really looks like is a great way to overcome any miss understanding in my opinion and that is the reason why I'm applying for the permit. I agree with upholding our protection laws 100%, but I believe that it would be a waste to just toss a perfectly intact male Bluebird into my vineyards to just have the ants devour it. I believe a mounted Bluebird to a nesting box will serve a more useful purpose in educating others who have know idea what a Bluebird looks like than to just turn it into compost. As Bluebirds we need to take an active roll it informing the public and in particular the youngsters. There is nothing in the world more wondrous than seeing the delight in the eyes of a youngster who is seeing something new for the first time and I believe this male Bluebird will do just that. If I fail to obtain what I need then I have only delayed the inevitable and the male BB will be returned to the elements. Happy Bluebird Trails To You, Carolyn Hall wrote: John , Date: Wed, 13 Jun 2001 14:02:20 -0400 To: Alice Bengel, et al, in response to her question: For the purpose of displaying a real nest and real eggs, I make a 'half-house', that is to say I cut (saw) off a Bluebird house about 5" to 6" up from the bottom, leaving a simple box with a completely open top. At my presentations I put the box on the display table along with a couple of dozen other Bluebird-related display items. The viewers simply look down into the box and gawk at the nest and eggs, accompanied by many "Oohs", "Aahs (sp?)," and other expressions of astonishment. If my late grandmother knew I did this, I'm sure she would have me sent to bed with no supper. I don't know, frankly, what the 'legal' aspects are. If I am jailed for doing this, I hope you will all bring me chickensoup, files, an inflatable mattress, etc. I have no knowledge of anyone's ever being hailed into court, but I suppose it's always possible, given the bizarre misconceptions many people have about the natural world. I am not interfering with a wild bird's nesting process, since the eggs were long since abandoned and dead, and the nesting process is over. Bruce Burdett, Head Conspirator, P.S. Of course, it would be just as easy, maybe easier, simply to build a box
like the one I described above, without going to the trouble of sawing a
perfectly good Bluebird house in half. Date: Wed, 13 Jun 2001 21:08:52 EDT The viewers simply look down into the box and gawk at the nest and eggs, accompanied by many "Oohs", "Aahs (sp?)," and other expressions of astonishment. I did the same with the HOSP nest whose occupants killed the EABL female last year, 1 day before hatch date (so I have the EABL nest as well). Except g I am using a perfect- sized box cut off from what the Palm Sunday palms were shipped in! But as to Ooohs and Aaahs-- But they loved the starling poop all down the side of the school building, where the starlings fledged out from under the roof. Disgusting urchins, aren't they? g Rhonda Watts Date: Thu, 14 Jun 2001 10:12:12 -0700 Dear Friends, As some of you may recall, I wanted to explore mounting a lovely dead male BB that I found in one of our nesting boxes to aid in educational classes and seminars that I do at local schools, etc. I knew that a permit would be required, and that I would need to address this with the proper authorities. Some of you asked me to forward my findings to you and here is the response that I received from the Migratory Bird Permit Office this morning. Dear Mr. Schuster We do not issue permits to possess dead migratory birds to individuals, but rather to educational institutions (schools, museums, etc.). If there is a local school you work closely with, we can issue a permit to them for the mounted bird, they can use it or display it in their classroom(s), and you can work with them to borrow it as you need it for your education classes and seminars. The bird must be permanently maintained at a public facility, however, and not a private residence. If you have the name of someone at a school, I would be happy to mail the application to them. Or if you prefer, I can mail it to you to take to the school. It sounds like you have contacts at local schools, and that one of them would be able to work with you on this. Good luck with your project! Tami Tate-Hall I had a good idea that this would be the response as I have talked with some of my pals a CDF and Fish and Game about this in the past. I requested that they send the permit applications to me, and I will be going to one of the local schools that I speak at to see if they are willing to work with me. If you ever find yourself in a situation like this and wish to do something similar. You now have the information that you will need to proceed if desired. Happy Bluebird Trail To You, Date: Fri, 13 Jul 2001 11:24:02 -0500 Hi All--- I am approaching the limit of number of nestboxes I can effectively monitor and have decided the way to keep increasing bluebird numbers is to set out and inform others on how they can help out. My first goal was to get an article in my local newspaper then start to give presentations next year. Things have accelerated dramatically since I set that goal and I will soon have an interview with the Des Moines Register (covers all of Iowa) and I also have a spot lined up with a Des Moines TV station (covers 2/3 of Iowa). Both interviews are with reporters that do special interest types of reports. The TV spot will only be about 3 minutes long but the newspaper article could be lengthy (it appears on the front page below the fold). My question to others that have done this type of thing already is, what are the most important topics to cover in order to increase awareness of my cause or to inform others how to get involved?? There are a lot of topics to cover (history, cavity species, nestbox plans, setting up a trail, etc) but I will have limited time with the TV spot so I will need to focus on a few. I am also going to provide each with a list of websites where more information can be found. I value any advice I can get so that I can effectively help out cavity nesters. I think this will be a great platform for me to get used to giving presentations in the future. Thanks in advance---
Date: Fri, 13 Jul 2001 19:08:02 -0400 Jay, et al, In my humble opinion, I feel that the most important topics to cover for new trail monitors is bluebird natural history, proper habitat for placing boxes, proper box construction and consistent monitoring. Best of luck to you. TV spots seem to go so fast and we always have much more we want to say! Terri Kromel My question to others that have done this type of thing already is, what are the most important topics to cover in order to increase awareness of my cause or to inform others how to get involved?? There are a lot of topics to cover (history, cavity species, nestbox plans, setting up a trail, etc) but I will have limited time with the TV spot so I will need to focus on a few.
Date: Fri, 13 Jul 2001 22:01:42 -0500 Keith Kridler Mt. Pleasant, Texas If you only have a three minute spot on TV go for glitz and glamour! No one can tell anything about the bluebirds in only three minutes unless they are a really fast talker! Stage a nestbox if you have to that has eggs. Sky blue eggs show up great on TV. If possible have them do a shot of eggs, very young birds, pin feathers and some adults. If at all possible try to show a shot of a mother helping a child open their very first nestbox. The joy and excitement of a 4 or 5 year old seeing the nest of either eggs or young birds cannot be improved on! You can do a voice over with the shot of the eggs and tell that most bluebird eggs are blue but that they can sometimes be white. Tell how they normally lay one egg a day until the 46 egg clutch is complete. Only the female incubates them for 1214 days and the eggs normally all hatch within 24 hours. Switch to a shot of newly hatched young and tell that they are practically helpless right out of the egg but grow rapidly (switch to 4-6 day olds) as both parents feed them a constant supply of insects. By the time they are 12-13 days old (switch again) you can tell the sex of the bird by the amount of blue in the feathers. By the time they are 18 days old each day in their lives have been the equal of one year to a human. Just like teenagers they are ready to leave the nest now but will be unable to provide for themselves for another 1 to 2 weeks. You can mention or better yet show them, that nestboxes need to be made so that they are easily opened to enable you to monitor the nestbox. Tell when they normally start nesting and when the last nest is usually done. Show cleaning out and carrying away an old nest and explain how often the bluebirds nest in your area. T Show that they need to be on metal poles with predator guards because SO MANY people let their cats roam outdoors!!!! You might be able to include a little bluebird history information but probably will need to stick to something like, "With loss of most natural cavities the bluebirds rely on quality nestboxes from caring humans." You can do a lot of this simply with the choice of shots they include. Most TV stations now offer in-depth information on their website if you do a copy and paste from NABS information sheets you could give them ALL the information they need for people to do a follow up. Include your state and NABS and even a link to Bluebird-L. Especially Jim Mc. page as it is the BEST! Send it to them with an e-mail as they will be more likely to get it in the correct format! This sounds cruel but to get some killer video of bluebirds at a nestbox in a very short amount of time, you can block the entrance hole from the inside of the box when they are feeding young. The adults will hover right in front of the entrance and then shift to the roof then back to hovering. If they shoot this in slow motion it gives a great ending to the show. You can voice over again with bluebird calls and mention that without nestboxes and careful monitoring, the bluebird might have followed the Passenger pigeon and Ivory billed woodpecker into extinction. If you can stage a group of about 15 children under about 12 years old banging on a set of nestboxes and then a shot of them hoisting them over their heads and show how easy and fun box building is......with adults holding parts and kids making noise you will have a three minute program that people will want to learn more from.....I have used 4-H kids, church groups, boy or girl scouts and all of them will work. Showing a nest of eggs to a group of pre schoolers can be wonderful. Show that this is fun!!!! It is not just about saving birds!!! If you read the list we are also saving a little bit of child in each and every one of us!!!! I had hoped the list would have been flooded with thoughts on spreading the "Bluebird Fever" through a TV program!!!! Anyway talk over any of these ideas with the film crew before hand and see if they can help you put this together! KK
Date: Fri, 13 Jul 2001 23:10:59 -0700 I think you will find that the interviewer will stage and direct the total interview. What has happened to me in the past is that the interviewer will arrive about 15 minutes before the spot (if it is a live shoot) and ask you his or her questions. Then, when the interview starts, that person will feed back what you had previously said as if he or she were the expert. On so short a piece, I doubt that they will spend much if any time getting footage other than the interview if you are doing this in the field- and I assume you are. Don't make the assumption that you will be able to get out much of a Message- just give the interviewer the basic facts and hope that he or she asks you the questions you want asked! Trust me- you will not have much choice of topics! Good luck and talk fast! Judy ----- Original Message ----- From: kromel ...
Date: Mon, 23 Jul 2001 06:45:19 -0500 Keith Kridler Mt. Pleasant, Texas Anything I post to the list can be passed on in any way that will help the birds. If it is going on in print let me know (I normally forget some stuff) as I would like to add the warning about the "tree tubes" the PVC pipe used to protect young trees against voles and sun scald. We don't see these in the south but did see an awful lot of them in Ohio, Penn. N.Y. and even Canada this past month. It is pretty common knowledge that birds also are getting trapped in these and they require a netting installed to block the tops off. A very good way to create awareness would be to do a simple warning sheet for the water tanks and post the warning in a colorful way using print shop or something eye catching, mentioning the danger of these automatic tanks to birds. List the ways to minimize the danger to the birds and mention that drowned birds, even bluebirds, can foul the water. You can plug your bluebird trail mentioning how many birds are fledged locally and post these up at farm supply stores where the farmers are buying their supplies. You can list NABS, your state and local contacts for more information on how to raise more bluebirds by making the "farm" safe for the nesting bluebirds. Cover the open topped pipe metal fence posts dangers and electric fence warnings also. It would be great to include these warnings periodically in newsletters but then go the extra step and actually create a one page warning sheet to post to appropriate businesses. Landscape business's could use this to create safe water gardens by selling more water lilies to save birds and/or sell a 12"x12" wood board to float in the pond to serve as a frog loafing platform or a lifesaver platform for the birds during winter months when the lilies have died down. They can also sell netting to make the tree tubes safe. Chimney sweeps and stores which sell fireplaces, especially those which deal in metal flue pipe are a good location for saving birds. If you mention the fact that doing all of this could save a house from dangerous sparks landing on the roof and also save the birds from being trapped the stores will have more reason to copy and distribute the warnings AND the bluebird information. You could design this as a two page info sheet with the back being how to build a trail or begin installing nestboxes correctly. By being creative you could pretty well cover the entire town with the same warning sheet and be doing the businesses a service too! This seems like a great project to modify for different regions of the country and help protect the birds. KK From: BBBMV"at"aol.com Keith, I agree that there is a whole world of enjoyment watching kids build a nestbox. The pride they have in actually building something that works is amazing. I am reminded of Doug's story of the little sister of one of the girl scouts who was there when he did a project. Of course he saw that the litle girl "built" a box as well to take home. About a week later he saw the mother of the little girl at a store and asked her if little "Betty"? had got her box put up yet. The mother said "no, but we will put it up as soon as she stops taking it to bed with her!" Since we are in town here the last group of cub scouts didn't get to take their boxes home, I kept them to install on a local golf course. Every boy put his name on his box and wants me to come next Spring and tell them how his box is doing. Since bluebirds start checking boxes out in February here and can have nests going in March, Spring isn't far away for us. I always enjoy your posts. Please keep them coming. Best to you and yours, Bill Davis Date: Sun, 16 Dec 2001 05:48:49 -0800 (PST) Hello Bill & All - When I was younger, especially when the children were at home I was active in
the scouts, PTA, school trustee and several other things. In later years I felt
it was time to let others pull those loads. Germantown,extreme southwestern)TN Keith, I agree that there is a whole world of From: "Dan McCue" dmccue"at"usit.net Kieth - I wholeheartedly agree. I have been working with the 4-H and cub scouts on kit building of Bluebird houses and it is surprising how much they learn and I am blessed by their increased interest in Bluebirding and nature as a whole. I also give alot of presentations at the local school (3rd graders) where I have an adopt-a-box trail. So they also get to see first hand the developments of the presentation. One of our Bluebird Club members is also a third grade teacher at the same school and is able to augment and continue the training and knowledge. It's a great day when we can work with the youngsters in our more mature age. God bless all, Dan McCue in Camden, TN. 75 miles due west of Nashville on the Tennessee River in West TN. Member of NABS, TN Audabon Society. President of Benton County Bluebird Society of TN, Inc.,1st V.P Tennessee Bluebird Trails, Inc. Lat: 36:03:44.870N Lon: 88:06:31.126W From: "Keith & Sandy Kridler"
kridler"at"1starnet.com
Subject: Is NABS slide presentation or similar available? Sarah Trzaska, Southeastern PA Hi, I'm new to the bluebird-l emailings, but I've been bluebirding for about
twenty years now. I know that NABS used to offer an educational program to help
groups get started. I can't find it at their website, however. Does anyone know
if such a program is now available, and if so, where? I teach elementary school
and I'd love to present a program to help our environmental club with their
efforts to start a bluebird trail at our school. Subject: RE: Is NABS slide presentation or similar available? The North American Bluebird Society does have a web site http://www.nabluebirdsociety.org/ You can connect with a speaker through the speaker program http://www.nabluebirdsociety.org/speaker.htm . There may be someone in your area that can come out and give a presentation. There are a lot of materials that can be downloaded from the site check this http://www.nabluebirdsociety.org/facts.htm Consider joining the organization! http://www.nabluebirdsociety.org/join.htm Alicia Craig Be a Citizen Scientist, visit http://birds.cornell.edu/citsci/ Watch BirdWatch on PBS, visit
http://www.pbs.org/birdwatch -----Original Message----- Sarah Trzaska, Southeastern PA From: "Dan McCue" dmccue"at"usit.net Keith & alll : The Bluebird-Up-Close is a good video and I have used it for
some school presentations. Being 50 minutes in length, the attention-span of the
early graded children is pretty short, so for 3rd graders, I either use Bluebird
Basics (15-20 minutes by the Stokes) or a short 35 mm film presentation, I have
put together. It depends on how much time is available and the ages of the
children, as to what I use. They all have their place. Keith Kridler Mt. Pleasant, Texas From: "Bruce Burdett" blueburd"at"srnet.com Paul Kilduff, et al, Good luck with your project. I can guarantee you one thing: you'll learn a
few lessons about PEOPLE. Lesson One: Most people want instant gratification
with minimum effort. Lesson Two: We should be mighty grateful for that 5%. From: "paul kilduff" plkldf"at"hotmail.com You mention the silent treatment, and that's been my experience so far. Just kind of look at you for a second and then say, "What?" A bit like a call from a neighbor who says, "I've got a new part time job selling insurance. Say, do you think I could stop over some night next week?" Uh-oh! One kind responder suggested I take out the apology, but I think it is a bit of an imposition, and, hard as it may be for me (or us) to believe, it's something that's not attractive to them. A couple of responses have emphasized fun and no-burden, and I'll try to incorporate that. I'm hoping for maybe one out of 25? This is part of what I'm trying to figure out. What correlates with being a good trail monitor? Where do I go to find these people -- who among my acquaintances is likely to welcome the invitation, i/o resenting it? I think the Audobon Society may be a good bet -- maybe I could get one person, as you did. I'm in touch with a prof of ornithology -- he's going to ask his class. If you get any volunteers, let us all know the tricks you used. I'll do that for sure. I'm replying off-list to most responders -- I much appreciate the suggestions. Shall advise results when done. best, From: "Keith & Sandy Kridler" kridler"at"1starnet.com Keith Kridler Mt. Pleasant, Texas Berlet Films produced about a 45 minute film and cassette geared for groups or schools back in the 1980's. Then the Stokes video is about 20 minutes but I have not looked at it in a while and I have also just received the National Audubon video "Bluebirds Up Close" and it is 50 minutes and I will try to watch it tonight and offer comments on it. In Texas we have resources like these videos that are shared all across the state and can be requested and shared between schools. These are in addition to local "experts" that can come out and give a program. KK From: "Ron Kingston" kingston"at"cstone.net Slide Programs l.. ALSO 9595 Educational Materials Bluebird Basics Introductory Video produced by Don & Lillian Stokes Many Speakers Bureau members have expressed the need for a short, introductory overview bluebird video for use in presentations. We're proud to announce that, Bluebird Basics, a 15 minute introductory video produced by Don & Lillian Stokes, was successfully released in Spring, 2000 and has become a top NABS educational seller. The video was reviewed by and created in partnership with NABS and a portion of the proceeds will be donated back to NABS educational efforts. Bluebird Basics can be ordered via the NABS catalog at a special Speakers Bureau price of $11.95, postage paid (a $3.00 savings). Note on your order form that you are a NABS Speakers Bureau member. Poster & Pocket Field Guide Set Getting to Know Bluebirds Teacher's Packet Ron Kingston Charlottesville VA http://www.nabluebirdsociety.org/ info"at"nabluebirdsociety.org 9595 Annual NABS Convention # People NAME __________________________________________ PHONE _________________________ ADDRESS ________________________________________________________________________ CITY ____________________________________________ PROV/STATE ____________________ POSTAL/ZIP CODE __________________________________ E-MAIL
________________________ -----Original Message----- Sarah Trzaska, Southeastern PA From: "Bruce Burdett" blueburd"at"srnet.com To: Bluebirders, Last February I was asked to give an interview with a local (New London) radio station on the subject of Bluebird restoration. I did it, and The Man promptly aired it. I suggested that he keep the tape and air it every February. Last evening one of our dinner guests mentioned to me that he'd heard it the day before. The amazing thing is that this station-manager actually remembered my suggestion. He kept the tape and aired it at the appropriate time of year. I mention this matter in the hope that all you folks will try to pull off the same shtick (sp?) in your own local areas. Think of all those local stations all across the continent giving us all that free publicity every year at this time. And speaking of suggestions, I suggest that we all recommend Haleya Priest, founder of the MA association, for the NABS Bluebirder-of-the-Year Award. I can't think of a more deserving recipient. (Having met her myself, I can also vouch for the fact that she's a very nice person.) Bruce Burdett, in SW NH From: "Fread J" firefrost2"at"hotmail.com Health reasons have stymied my Bluebirding! Yesterday, I was 30 miles south of Tulsa, Oklahoma and stopped to refuel at a country grocery store. A man came in wearing a Boy Scout Troop Leader uniform. I struck up a conversation with him and quizzed him if his troop needed a project.........Hey! You just can't stop an old Bluebirder, right? Well, I now have a program to give to a Troop of 17 boys and I am madly searching for all my copies of printed handouts in preparation for my program. Now I have to put my "scrounging" skills to work. I have talked to two fence businesses and have enough 'donated' used galvanized posts. The hardest part is to get the lumber needed, however, we have many lumber yards here in Tulsa, OK. With my "salesmanship", I should be able to get enough to supply the Boy Scouts to start their first Bluebird Trail! I wish to encourage all bluebirders to constantly be on the lookout for such
opportunities! I may be somewhat limited with my physical skills, but my Fread J. Loane From: "Mary Beth Roen" mbroen"at"hotmail.com Hi! From: "Fread J" firefrost2"at"hotmail.com ... blueb From: "Keith & Sandy Kridler" kridler"at"1starnet.com Keith Kridler Mt. Pleasant, Texas 17*F this morning coldest day this winter. We can do an awful lot of good for the cavity nesting birds by simply installing a nestbox or two in our yard. We can do even more if we interest our neighbors into getting involved and so on right down the street. For the price of a car tire we can purchase the NABS slide show and either give programs or make it available to groups in our areas so that the information about these interesting birds can roll on down the road far faster than word of mouth! Schools, county agents all have slide projectors available for the use of this program. Please consider going out or phoning a couple of these organizations in your area to see if they would be interested in having a bluebird/cavity nesting bird program available for use in the community! The people you touch will be the most caring and gentle down to earth people you will ever meet because they are interested in preserving and helping the most fragile and most beautiful creations this world has ever seen. We (I) tend to make this too scientific and technical sometimes but this is about helping someone raise their first bird in their first nestbox from nest to egg to fledgling and then repeat the feat! NO ONE can describe the joy on a young child's face the first time they peer into a nestbox and see the miracle of life unfold before their very eyes. Yes even you can use this slide program to get these bluebirders started correctly! If you can fledge bluebirds you can fledge bluebirders! Be brave and fly out of the box this year and give your first bluebird talk! KK ----- Original Message ----- The slide show is now $55 for members and $75 for non-members. It comes with
80 slides and a script. One week rental is $20. Mail the order with a check to
NABS Catalog c/o Dave Magness From: "susan"at"changeswithin.com" changes"at"sunlink.net Once again dear people I call upon your time and expertise.. I have been in contact with several golf courses, local variety of agricultural owners, cemeteries and home owners. It was my hope to start up a few "test areas" for nestbox trails. There's a big nasty pit turning in my stomach. Why? The apparent rampant use of pesticides. Would someone please volunteer to discuss the use of pesticides and birds? How do you, as trail monitors deal with these situations? What are you favorite sources of articles, websites, organizations have you turned to in order to deal with this type of information? ........ The news media has been amazingly kind and generous ... I've been interviewed
and published ... tomorrow they are meeting me at my first bluebird trail of
2002. 45 people came to a slide presentation given by Jerry Zeidler and his
wife, Mary Ann. (Great Slide presentation!!!!). Over half the people that
attended this program, plus several others who simply read the articles in the
news have become members of the Bluebird Society of Pa. Bottom line: It's been a good week in Snyder County Pennsylvania and a wonderful week filled with promise for cavity nesting birds in my very rural community. I have hope for the future although it walks precariously alongside some current harsh realities. Please share your expertise and experiences on this topic. From: "Fread J" firefrost2"at"hotmail.com This is an open letter to the entire group of Bluebird-L, for I am sure that there are interested parties that can pick up on these ideas and run with them to a successful venture. Undoubtedly, there are list members who do not have the access to acreages for possible personal Bluebird Nestbox Trails which some of us are so fortunate to have. I direct my thoughts and statements particularly to those persons. In this instance, let me again choose a golf course for nestbox trail location, simply because there are so many courses located all over this great country of ours. At many of these courses, both private and public, there are groups of golfers who have and attend meetings (both women and men). You, up there on the East Coast; You, over there in the Midwest, who can
manage both the Eastern as well as the Western Bluebirds; even You over there in
the mountainous West; and You in the semi-arid Southwest with all three species,
you ALL can can use these same ideas in some form tailored to You already have a wealth of information and experience from just reading and posting to this list. Just look at the vast amount of information that so many dedicated people have assembled for this list! Let me encourage you to take that hard won experience and information you possess (Or perhaps just your unbounded enthusiasm at this point. Some of you older members will smile and remember when Haleya Priest first came on board with her determination and enthusiasm, trials and tribulations.....look what she has accomplished for not only us in the present, but those in the future as well!) and put it to work for the advantage of the cavity nesters we all so dearly love! Use your computer to first gather, then put together a presentation on Bluebirds. No one expects you to have the suave gifts of a professional motivation speaker. You really don't even have to look up from your material before you on the lecturn. With the proper presentation, you can enthrall, enthuse and encourage others simply by inspirationally presenting the story about the needs of cavity nesters.....the same way you do it here on the list/serve chatting back and forth with perfect strangers! At country clubs/golf courses there are all manner of groups who look for speakers. Here is your foot in the doorway! A simple phone call to the receptionist can get you names and addresses to the group leaders. Contact them and offer to put on a Bluebird Nestbox Program! NABS has wondrous sets of 35mm color slides on this subject. Many state
conservation departments have "loan-out" VHS tapes on Bluebirds. Some of There is no lack of information out there, only a lack of people willing and sincere enough to deliver it to those who honestly wish to hear it! You are simply a "Go-Between". Just take a leisurely drive out through the residence section around a golf course and look at the amount of feeders and "cutesy" bird nest boxes. See! There is the interest, they just lack the proper knowledge and experience. You can provide much of that. If you need help with a special problem, HEY! Throw it on the BLUEBIRD-L list/serve and request assistance. You are sitting here with some of the nation's top authorities in Bluebirding right at your fingertips!! Those difficult problems have been faced and conquered somewhere, sometime in the past. Draw upon the endless, extravagant experience of the likes of Keith Krider, Dean Sheldon, etc. etc. That's what those guys and gals are sitting here for! THEY WANT TO HELP! Take advantage of their years of hard won lessons for free! O.K. now, you have your presentation, slides, VHS tape, and lots of "freebie
give-aways" from the area Audubon club or state conservation department. You
have some bluebird nestboxes for display. Maybe you are lucky enough to have
found a fallen limb with a woodpecker's nest (to show what a "cavity nest" truly
is) to add some punch to the display. You have brought all your Bluebird books
(after writing your name, address and phone number in each of Your presentation went over fantastically.....here you had fretted and worried so much and the people loved your Bluebird Talk! Now is the time to take it one step further. Many of the retired husbands whose wives you just delivered your knock-out program to, have the tools to construct those needed nestboxes for your new trail!! With minimal effort you can enlist someone to find a person who would be willing to cut out the nestbox patterns.....maybe even several crafty souls who would offer to help assemble them! But wait! I am getting ahead of myself. Where did the boards (lumber) come from to cut out those first 12, or 24, or 36 nestboxes??? Well, you have carefully insured that each participant has a copy of the nestbox plan that he/she can take home and start the ball rolling. You have challenged the group to donate one single 8' Western Cedar 1" X 6" which you can make two nestboxes from!!! You have in your display items just such a board with the nestbox plan already drawn out with black magic marker, so everyone can plainly see that there is NO scrap to throw away from their investment! Every fiber of the board will be put to good use!! Empower the ladies to go purchase the lumber themselves! Goodness Sakes! What did you start? Now you have to have a second meeting with those interested to explain how and why there is a need to monitor those new nestboxes on the new trail! Suddenly, you feel emboldened, and decide to approach a couple of the ladies whose husbands are on the Board of Directors to see if they will fork over some of the Club and Course Enhancement Funds to purchase lumber and needed supplies for the trail.......after all, it is for the betterment and enjoyment of all who use the course. The local fence companies have "used" fence posts from old fences they have removed. HEY! I wonder if the business owner would be interested in contributing to the new trail by supplying his fence post culls for free???? What about the local lumber yard? Would they supply the conduit? HEY! Get the newspaper involved in your program! They are forever looking for community news events. You get the idea, right? It is all out there. The information. The interested people. The free materials. The free advertising.......just waiting for you to put together your very first Bluebird Nestbox Program!!! Then be sure to tell us all how you did.....and encourage others to do the same........ Fread J. Loane From: "Phil Berry" mrtony8"at"mchsi.com I have been contacted by a writer for our local paper (Pensacola News
Journal) who is going to do a piece on my trail ---- well, it is OUR trail, as
my wife helps with it. I am a bit apprehensive, as it has been done before, in
another paper, by an author who never even contacted us!! She just wrote up what
a friend told her, and she described us as being "youngsters." How clever. Any
way, we have given this one an interview, she seems to have it right, and we
have a date on Good Friday to take two photographers around on the trail in a
golf cart for pics. It could be very beneficial...getting the word out is
important. I have also noted an increase in bb boxes in back yards when I
monitor the trail. People are thinking "what the heck, if these folks can get
bb's then so can I." Some small yards have 3-4 nest boxes in them. Oh well, give
them kudos for trying. I will have to clean HOSP out of all of them. Thirteen
completed nests now and NO eggs yet. Cold tonight, 40 or so here, with frost
inland. Where is spring? Phil Berry Gulf Breeze, Florida Date: Sat, 6 Apr 2002 13:12:56 -0600 (Central Standard Time) Hooray!!! We finally made the local newspaper. I am not totally satisfied with the article, but given the space restrictions placed on them, they did a good job. Yes Jackie and I are related (by marriage). She chooses to use the name she had for 50 + years before we married. And don't laugh at the picture of the old dude looking in the box, that's me!! Phil Berry Gulf Breeze, Florida and the link is: http://www.pensacolanewsjournal.com/news/040602/Neighbors/ST001.shtml Date: Sun, 07 Apr 2002 21:34:02 -0400 Haleya Priest Amherst MA Tune in tomorrow morning 4/8 "at" 7:30 a.m. WFCR Morning Edition - From: "emcooper" emcooper"at"bayou.com This afternoon, I took my 13 year old granddaughter on my trail and she got to see some babies just a few hours old. She was in awe at how tiny and naked. Then we went on to another nestbox where they are older and I let her put her hand up there close while I put one of the babies in it. You know when I saw her eyes get big and light up, I think I may have a future bluebirder on my hands. On from there we went to another nestbox where there were only eggs and the mama was not on it so, I let her look at the eggs and barely touch one to feel it's warmth. When we got back from the trail, I got my record book and showed her how I keep up with each nestbox and record the events as they happen. She asked me how I knew when they were ready to "fly off" and I explained that to her. I thought her attention span and interest was pretty good for a 13 year old, just maybe, someday, she will take care of my trail for me or have some Bluebirds of her own. Evelyn Cooper Date: Tue, 16 Apr 2002 16:31:56 -0500 Our main goal in bluebirding should be the good of the birds themselves. They evolved to nest in cavities for the safety and security it affords them, so it bothers me to hear of monitors removing nests with chicks or eggs from this relatively safe haven just to show people. While I am sure they are very careful, there is always a risk that something unexpected could occur and the nest could be dropped. Even experienced monitors have had disasters happen. Even if we remove the nest and put it back with no disasters occurring, we have subjected the babies and parents to one more stress in their very short lives. I personally would not remove a nest except in case of an emergency, and I would make sure it truly WAS an emergency. Birds in the wild survive wet nests and blowfly infestation, for example, so every damp nest or sign of blowfly larvae does not necessarily require intervention, but if we do intervene in these cases we are doing so to help the bird and can balance risk vs benefit. I don't feel there is any real benefit to the individual bird or the species when we pull a nest out for show and tell. I realize that children are fascinated and amazed by these creatures-- I feel that way myself! But it is just as fascinating, and a little more mysterious, to lift the child up to have them squint into the nestbox and get a peek, while also learning that for the good of the birds we disturb them as little as possible. After their peek you can show them some nestcam pictures or the pictures in the "Bluebird Monitor's Guide" and they can look as long as they like. Kate Oschwald From: "emcooper" emcooper"at"bayou.com When I told of placing a baby in my granddaughter, Cari's hand the other day, I forgot to say that in my five years of bluebirding that is the first time she ever touched one and then she had her hand with it over the nest. I want to make it perfectly clear that when I take people to see my trail, all they will get to see is when I raise the door and let them peek in. It is not going to be show and tell. (or touch) In fact, Cari is the only person to touch one. I just want to make it clear that this was one special time and I am very particular about my Bluebirds. My first clutch of 3 fledged today. I have 16 babies and 15 incubating. It is an exciting time. Evelyn Cooper ... From: abitabar"at"bellsouth.net Good point about risk vs. benefit with regards to taking birds and nests out of boxes. Thanks to the list I have learned that blowflies aren't the big problem I thought they were, so I haven't moved any nests to look for them. In Evelyn Cooper's defense, I think she did balance the risk against the
benefit. In this case, the small risk of an older child being supervised while
briefly holding a baby bird vs. the benefit of a rare and special experience for
that child. The girl is lucky to have a grandmother who could share such a rare
experience. That kind of experience makes a lifelong impression that leads to an
appreciation for not just bluebirds but all of and nature and life. From: "Karen Louise Lippy" brdbrain"at"superpa.net Kate, Our bluebird trails at our park are used as tools in our environmental programs. We give walks, sometimes weekly, when there is activity in the boxes. I don't feel we have caused any nest abandonment because of this. I do like the idea of using the nest insert in the boxes so that the birds build in that, making it quite easy to take out insert and all, show it to participants in the walk, then replace it. A large group can look quite quickly. We replace it and leave the box ASAP. We also tell people how important it is that they STAY AWAY after our walk. If they want to watch, we encourage them to watch from a distance. Bluebirds and other species that use our nest boxes in the park become "spokesbirds' for much wildlife by sparking an interest in nature among our visitors. This is the price we charge these for our nest box. I feel they quickly become used to monitors and the stress is minimal enough to be worth the opportunity to spark a love of nature in the public. For people to become concerned for problems wildlife have, they must first make a personal link to the wild. Bluebird trails can create that interest. Some problems are worse in some areas than others, and I think blowfly infestation is one of them. For years, when we went to thePA State Park annual meetings, people complained of total nest failures in spring from blowfly infestation. At our park, we had no problem with this for many years. Suddenly we did lose almost every bluebird chick on our trail for several years in a row from a combination of cold, wet weather and blow fly infestation. I think the chicks can tolerate each problem (weather or blowfly) by itself quite well, but together, it causes too much stress. We had springs when we lost from 20-50 chicks very early in the season. This can get quite discouraging, especially for beginning monitors. I explained how to make nest changes to my monitors. I leave that option up to them. But the thing I stress is that we never know when we remove the nest if we are destroying blow fly larvae alone, or the jewel wasp which is entirely beneficial to the birds as well. Because this nest failure generally occurs quite early in the season, the birds quickly renest and it rarely seems to affect the final count of chicks fledged for the season. Karen from South Central PA ----- Original Message ----- ... From: "Gilliam, Jay" jay.gilliam"at"pioneer.com Hi Kate--- It has a much more profound affect on youngsters when they get to hold a baby bluebird in their hands than it would if one would just teach them without actually getting them involved. Every time I go out to band my birds, I try to find someone to bring along that I can educate and spark an interest, usually these are younger people. Then I will provide an educational lecture to them and let them hold a baby for a short time after banding it. Their eyes just light up and they get so fascinated about it all. These are going to be the future monitors of my trail when I finally come to the point that I can no longer monitor my boxes effectively. And that is going to be the benefit to the species. They will continue to have boxes to nest in and caring monitors to watch over them. I don't think these interferences have a negative effect on fledging numbers
if they are kept short and done only once or twice per nesting. I, and other
monitors, routinely lift females off the nest to monitor a box and she typically
will resume her activities after she is placed back on the nest. Bluebirds and
Tree Swallows are much more tolerant of this kind of activity than other
cavity-nesters so I would not take this approach with other cavity-nesters. In
my opinion, it hasn't been demonstrated that there is negative outcomes from
this type of involvement. Thanks--- -----Original Message----- ... Date: Wed, 17 Apr 2002 09:22:35 -0500 Please note I am expressing my personal opinions, not criticism of others. I am not trying to make anyone feel bad, but want to make sure we all THINK about what we are doing and why we are doing it. It is easy to become complacent. And just because our activities APPEAR to have no effect, they still add stress--If merely conversing with a fellow human causes our blood pressure to rise, what is happening internally to a bunch of babies pulled from their safe nestbox while their parents watch anxiously, or to a mother who is brave enough to stay on her nest while a huge creature approaches! I (and countless others) have been "hooked" on bluebirds without ever yet holding a baby in my hands, so this is certainly not a requirement to get children or others interested. And there are some children that I would not let anywhere near my nestboxes, or my pets for that matter. A lot depends on the individual child and your perception of them. I personally don't remove nests from nestboxes to show people and I would
never remove a female from the nest just to monitor, but would check later
rather than disturb her any further at that time. I realize banders (and others)
do this, but I am of the opinion that we are reaching a point of diminishing
returns where banding bluebirds is concerned, as they are certainly no longer
endangered. Even banding is not without its risks. I know of canaries who lost a
leg when their band slipped and cut off circulation! Kate Oschwald From: "greenacres001" greenacres001"at"msn.com I have a very successful bluebird house on my open nevada acre ... 6 consecutive years of westerns hatching one or two clutches annually. it is hung in such a way that we can't access it to check or clean out every year and when people have said I should do it, I say, "In the wild no one comes in to clean up after these birds, why do they need me to do it here?" Does anyone have an explanation for why this is necessary? I know my kids get real lazy when i clean their rooms for them, but if I don't, they eventually do it themselves! Kate is right about handling wild birds ... anyone who has banded or rehabilitated wild birds knows that handling by humans definitely stresses the birds, and sometimes causes their deaths even with the best of intentions and most gentle touch. That said, if showing grandkids baby bluebirds sparks a future ornithologist, maybe their (hopefully benign) temporary stress is worth it. We had snow last night and the mountains above Lake Tahoe are socked in this
morning. In addition to freezing my cute, tiny apricots AGAIN, and making the
lilacs and bulbs look pretty limp out here in sagebrush country, our bluebirds
have been absent for almost two days yet no one is hanging around that nest! Ah,
Mother Nature ... Linda Hiller in northern Nevada ----- Original Message ----- ... From: "Karen Louise Lippy" brdbrain"at"superpa.net Kate, I, for one, found your Message very well thought-out. I didn't feel you were being critical. We SHOULD think about what we do at a nest box. We should also be able to express our opinions and the reasons we reached these conclusions. The more ideas we discuss, the better able we are to decide how we each want to go about monitoring our own nest boxes. Karen from South Central PA ----- Original Message ----- ... From: Shane Marcotte marco50"at"bellsouth.net Hello All, Date: Thu, 18 Apr 2002 23:00:19 -0400 Haleya Priest Amherst MA Kids are extremely kinesthetic. I know that if I let a child hold a bluebird egg or a bluebird baby, their nervous system will register that visceral experience for life! If all I let kids (or adults do) is LOOK but don't touch it makes me wonder what Message I am giving them. Look but don't touch stops us from integrating the full experience of the moment. When I put a bluebird egg or a baby into a child's or an adult's hand I watch
them very carefully. Their whole body comes to life with pure glee!!!! From: "greenacres001" greenacres001"at"msn.com I think your intentions are beautiful, Helaya, and if you spark the next J.J.Audubon, it's possibly worth the potentially negative consequences. But ... kids can learn to look and not touch. Handling baby birds has to be stressful on all the feathered individuals concerned, and perhaps a more salient Message of "respect these delicate creatures" is called for. The Message you're giving with "look but don't touch," is a noble one ... "these animals deserve our respect and aren't our property to do with what we wish. But LOOK at these awesome creatures!" I have no doubt you relay that Message! Important stuff! Loved your radio interview! Linda Hiller in Nevada ----- Original Message ----- ... Date: Sat, 27 Apr 2002 18:46:19 -0700 (PDT)
I have been in Illinois for a little less than a year now. I have noticed unmonitored nestboxes almost everywhere. From unconfirmed information that I have gathered from neighbors, there is evidently some program in the prision system where they fabricate and distribute nestboxes. I am going to try to get an article published in the local newspaper about the harm caused by unmonitored nestboxes. I was referred to a "project demolition letter" on the PMCA website which describes the negative results of unmanaged PUMA housing but I think that I was looking for something that would include the plight of other cavity nesters as well. I know many of you manage trails that are publicized. Any data indicating that the publicity works to get individual to take down unmanged nestboxes?. Do any of the local Bluebird organizations monitor/have input into these "free" nestbox distributions?. I am in an endless battle with a 'BIG CITY' population of HOSP right in my own backyard here. I have tried the 1 on 1 thing with limited success. I even have a video tape named "Bluebirds Up Close" that I use to provide individuals knowledge/interest in birding. But alas, while I have had success in mentoring others I have been a bust with respect to 'changing the minds' of folks who have these unmanaged houses. Any thoughts/ideas would be appreciated. PS. I could not post to the Bluebird-L until I resubscribed. I have been trying to send this E-mail for 2 days. Today I found 5 EABL nestlings pecked, laying on the ground below the nestbox on my Illinois trail. The number of HOSP out there is sickening. For every 5 I trap another dozen show up. Seems people are as much the problem as the HOSP are themselves.
Have a good day Bob Sitarski a.k.a The Doctor Jackson County Indiana ( 385244N 086023W ) & Clay County Illinois ( 384008N 0882908W ) From: "susan"at"changeswithin.com" changes"at"sunlink.net Hey Doc and others, Boy to I know where you are coming from!!!! My heart has been fracturing into bits and pieces over these unmonitored, well-intended nestbox trails. And as you may have previously read, I have a trail (hosp factory) of boxes on a neighbors 10 acres. Sandwiched inbetween is about 190 acres of young nursery (where my new trail is being placed) and another 10 acres of hosp factory. Property owner #1 will not allow trapping and wants *any* and *all* birds to use his nestboxes ... Property owner #2 could care less what I do or even how many boxes I put up. I went to the PMCA site and read that letter. It's a good letter I think and is easily altered to make it work for other cavity nesting birds but .... Ever hear the saying "You can catch more flies with honey" ?? In my experience, the last thing you want to do if you are wanting to change someone's "undesireable behavior" is to tell them they are in the wrong. They will rebel better than a rebelious teen. They are set in their ways *and* they get P.O.'d at arrogance and criticism. Right now, *I'm thinking of writing my own letter to property owners Dear (Property Owners Name) I passed by your property the other day and couldn't help but notice all your
nestboxes. How wonderful it is to know you care enough about the birds to put up
homes for our native cavity nesting birds. As you probably already know, these
birds must have a cavity (man made or Something you might not know is that are native cavity nesting birds are in serious trouble. (brief and to point, discuss predation problems and *lastly, focus on the HOSP and HOSP takecover of abandoned, unmonitored boxes. ..... Then .... I'd ask if you (or another volunteer you might know) could monitor them ... OR ...allow you to take the old tattered ones down, replace it FREE OF CHARGE with one or two nestboxes near their house where *they can easily check on the boxes and enjoy the birds more.... or ... ask them to sponsor a few boxes on *well monitored and established trail. A 'sponsor' could "contribute" to YOUR trail by taking down HIS own unmonitored boxes ... and in return you give him / her a report on the well monitored trail. ... or ... a myriad of other ideas ... Ask them to consider thinking about this .... Tell them you will be calling them "next week" or on an exact day and time to get their answer... but also provide contact info for yourself ... and encourage them to call or write to you. ............................................................. In the Interim ... Attention Everyone: The USPS will be bringing out new bird stamps in June. This is an *excellent time to work together with the postal service and increase nestbox / nature / bird awareness. I hope I've been helpful. From: "Susan Anthony Brownell" brownell"at"klink.net Susan Brownell I'm back on the list for awhile. As far as I can tell the worst offender in this area in this state is the DEC itself. http://www.dec.state.ny.us/index.html The Spring issue of their magazine, the Conservationist, featured an article about one of these voluntary organizations that build houses and give them away to all comers. Buy a new car..get a birdhouse. There was an accompanying article on building a box, but there was absolutely nothing about the need to monitor. I wrote a letter to the editor, hopefully as tactful as Susan's. We will see if it is printed. There is a strip of the NYS Thruway, I-90, with nestboxes, paired, spaced appropriately, but impossible to monitor. We were told at the Spring 2001 meeting of the NYSBS that they were put up as the result of a settlement of a class action suit. Great. My Park and Ride on the way to Albany has 4 sets of paired boxes installed by DEC..at least they allow access to monitoring. I've removed sparrow nests 3 times since March; the last time was Tuesday afternoon and by Wednesday morning there were sparrows on top of one of each of the 3 pairs with swallows fighting with sparrow over the 4th. I forgot about the pinprick idea; I'll do that next time. I would not dare trap as so many people use the Park and Ride, plus it would be too long between the time I set the trap and when I could check. Speaking of other persons land, last year the NYSBS placed boxes on Governor Pataki's farm. I'm not sure who is monitoring them. I don't think it is the Gov. Dot: NYSDEC also has a nestcam for the Peregrines. It is on the bridge that
crosses the Hudson between Albany and Troy. If you click on to the above site
you can get it. The 1st egg was laid March 26. They are the same pair that
nested last year. Did you get the rusty headed sparrows this year? We had them
from November till just a week or so. Along with the white throated and white
crowned. ----- Original Message ----- ... From: "Karen Louise Lippy" brdbrain"at"superpa.net Hi there, Our Game Commission does not have a mission to raise bluebirds. Their mission (as I suspect is the one in New York) is to provide for as wide a range of species as possible. Recently I was told of a bluebirder who saw nestboxes on a state game lands and decided to check them. He found mice, and squirrels as well as birds. He noted that one of the boxes had been raided by a raccoon. He complained to the local warden. "How much predation is acceptable to you?" he was asked. "None!!" was the reply. He missed the point that the Game Commission has a duty to the members of the Commonwealth to protect and insure raccoons and other predators survive as well as cavity nesting birds. Since most of these boxes are never monitored, it is possible that some raise house sparrows. But the Game Commission's stance that the nest boxes provide as much protection as natural cavities that are unmonitored is quite right. I understand your concern about people raising house sparrows in unmonitored boxes. However, it is quite likely that the unmonitored boxes also have many beneficial species nesting in them too. To ask people to remove all boxes because they are unmonitored is to remove cavities for other needy species as well. What you are doing, in effect, is just what the people did who removed the natural cavities in the first place causing so many species to go into decline. I feel you are throwing out the baby with the bath water. The sparrow debate is never-ending. Each side has excellent arguments for their cause. As a new bluebirder, I also fought with sparrows. Over the years, I have looked at the big picture as far as my trail goes. In over 170 boxes in over 30 years, only about 4 or 5 times have house sparrows killed bluebirds. It is never a pleasant experience. But more chicks die from blowfly infestation and cold, wet weather than house sparrow attacks. I have decided that it is more harmful to my emotional well-being to constantly think of ways to destroy house sparrows than to live with them. I don't think they will ever eradicate a single species if they are the only problem native species face. A far more serious threat to wildlife comes from those who don't know or care that we are destroying too much of what other living things need for their survival. It is easy to cut down a dead tree in our yards without regard to what wildlife is dependent upon it. It is easy to clear brush or trees or grasslands to put up a new house. Wildlife can go eleswhere. But it can't! There is precious little "elsewhere". Man has a right to exist, too. But we can adapt much better than the wildlife we are encroaching upon. How do I deal with house sparrows in my boxes? I do the passive things that restrict their use of my nest boxes. If a house sparrow kills a bluebird, I will kill it. There is a saying that nature abhors a vaccumn. I heard of a study regarding squirrels some years ago. Two enclosures of similar habitats and food resources were set up and a certain amount of squirrels were put into each. In one of the enclosures, squirrels were removed periodically. In the other, they were not. At the end of a prescribed number of years, a count was run on the number of squirrels in each enclosure. Both held almost the same amount of squirrels. How could that be since some were removed so many times over the years? The squirrels that were left had more food and remained in better health, thus produced larger litters of young. While I don't know if this was an actual study or someone's imagined outcome of such a study, I believe that the results would probably be true. So it may be that your removing house sparrows from an area simply leaves more food resources for the remaining and keeps them healthier. I'm not God. I don't know the truth of the matter. Each of us must make a decision regarding dealing with house sparrows in our boxes. This is the criteria that I use when monitoring my trail. It may sound wimpy to the hard-core among you, but I can live with it. Karen from South Central PA ----- Original Message ----- ... From: "susan"at"changeswithin.com" changes"at"sunlink.net Hi Susan ... http://www.dec.state.ny.us/website/press/govrel/83198.html In order to know how many bluebirds have fledged from the boxes this article mentions ... they would need to be monitored. Apparently the NY bluebird society and this Mr. Briggs were responsible for the 1300 nestboxes along Rt 20.... with "more planned in the future from PA to Mass. I think *education* is the key. If you provide people facts / information about the special needs (and the JOYS) of bluebirding ... there is not much else you can do. If you feel that the NYDEC is putting out misinformation ... or ... promoting nestbox trails that go unmonitored ... that is a *great place to start!!! Since they give away and promote nestboxes ... why not link up with them???. Offer to do some educational programs if they supply the boxes.... OR .... at the very least .... Create a good, brief "informational pamphlet" and ask them to PLEASE copy it and put this information INSIDE every nestbox that they give away... with emphasis on the need to monitor. All these unmonitored nestboxes are indeed a concern in my opionion ... but if we can break down any problem into tiny bits .. "one nestbox at a time" ... nothing is hopeless. And hey ... the Bluebird (of hope) is NY's state bird!!! At this point in time ... of all the things that this country, and NYC needs ... hope is high on the list. Hence ... it is a "marketing breakthrough"! gr Hopefully, Date: Mon, 29 Apr 2002 08:36:01 -0400 I just recently took on the monitoring of part of the NYS Bluebird Society Rt. 20 Trail. My section had not been monitored for several years, and I had a job cleaning out those boxes! Most of them were so jam-packed full of old bird nests and mouse nests that a bird couldn't physically fit into the box. Basically, I think the lack of monitoring was due to lack of volunteers, so if you know of boxes that need monitoring, ask if you can do it! Here in New York, another state trail is being developed along Rt. 11. I don't know if monitors are needed, but if you live nearby and are able, you should check to see if you can help. Visit http://www.nysbs.com for contact information. Another way to get boxes monitored would be to involve Scouts or 4-H groups. I know these groups are always looking for community service projects! There have been many Eagle projects that involved building a Bluebird Trail. If you know of one of these, "challenge" the troop or pack to monitor the trail once a week and give out prizes at the end of the breeding season. Many counties have parks where nestboxes have been put up. Ask your local Parks Commission if anyone monitors them. Need to find monitors? Ask your local bird clubs or Audubon Societies for help. Brenda Nature Club of Central New York From: "Keith & Sandy Kridler" kridler"at"1starnet.com Keith Kridler Mt. Pleasant Texas I am going to try to be at the Tennessee Bluebird society on June 1 and will be in Penticton for the Silver Celebration of NABS in June. (Be there, bring your books for autographs and have a GREAT time!) When I talk to groups I normally use the same basic slide program but
depending on the audience, their questions tend to lead my program in what ever
direction they are most interested. I seldom ever give the same program twice as
questions and stories change with the type group I am speaking to. There are several slide programs on cavity nesters and bluebirds available and also some on video that would help you promote our birds in your areas through use in schools or other groups. KK Date: Mon, 29 Apr 2002 13:06:37 -0700 (PDT) Hi all, For the past four weeks I have gone on a Crusade for native cavity nesting birds. Armed with my video named "Bluebirds Up Close"and my 'Project Demolition letter" from the PMCA, I have contacted 22 private landowners regarding unmanaged bird houses on their private property. My expectations of positive responses was high whereas in reality I have had dismal results. 2 of the 22 have in fact closed off their nestboxes. Now I know that I am not a salesman and I therefore not a real smooth talker. However, I do speak both earnestly and honestly about the plight of our native cavity nesting birds. I am also willing to monitor nestboxes from Clay county Illinois to Jackson county Indiana if need be. Getting permission from landowners has been a really tough go. Have a good day Bob Sitarski a.k.a The Doctor Jackson County Indiana ( 385244N 086023W ) & Clay County Illinois ( 384008N 0882908W ) From: LauraSue14"at"aol.com Hello All, Date: Tue, 7 May 2002 15:04:11 -0700 (PDT) Hi all, I have posted before about my failed crusade trying to convince people to take down unmanaged bird housing. My success rate has been less than 10%. However, I have succeeded in Illinois, to bring 6 new birders on board. Amazingly, 3 of the 6 each have an active EABL nest. Two of the remaining three birders has had PUMA checking out their new housing. I believe that one of them will actually start a PUMA colony this year based on what we have witnessed the past two weeks with 2 pair of PUMA. Only 1 of the 6 individuals has failed at attracting native cavity nesting birds. Personally, I have 4 nestboxes (a 5th will be put up this week) on the property that I rent in Illinois. I have posted before to this list about the big city HOSP problem that I have here. Five EABL nestlings have already been lost to HOSP attack. After my return from Indiana this past weekend, I checked my four nestboxes. Box #1: 5 EABL nestlings killed. Male HOSP has claimed the nestbox for more than a week now. No female HOSP has showed any interest. Box #2: HOSP cont'd to build in this box. HOSP nests were removed to no avail. I froze eggs and replaced them in the nest. My check today showed that the HOSP eggs and about 30% of the HOSP nest were removed. As I took the remainder of the HOSP nest out, a pair of TRES circled both me and the nestbox. The Male TRES was perched on box #2 as I continued my inspection. Box #3: the EABL pair that lost their nestlings in Box #1 have re-built. On Friday, the first EABL egg was laid in the nest. Today, I counted 5 eggs. Here's hoping for the best for this second nesting. Box #4: Unbelievable.... I posted last week about an 4 nestlings and an
unhatched egg in an EABL nest. I inquired about removing the unhatched egg from
the nestbox that is about 7 1/2 feet high. I left the egg and upon nestbox
inspection today, THERE ARE 5 NESTLINGS in there. Another lesson learned, LET
NATURE TAKE IT"S COURSE BEFORE I INTERFERE. Have a good day Bob Sitarski a.k.a The Doctor Jackson County Indiana ( 385244N 086023W ) & Clay County Illinois ( 384008N 0882908W ) Bluebird Education & Presentation (Part 3) |
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