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Recommended Monitoring EquipmentDate: Wed, 12 Apr 2000 13:56:03 -0400 Here's a tip for anyone that needs to remove unhatched infertile eggs, or damaged eggs. I use a long-handled spoon like those used to eat ice cream sundaes. The egg will roll right into the bowl of the spoon. Even with top opening boxes, you can use the spoon to roll the egg up an inside corner of the box. Another piece of "equipment" that I find invaluable, especially with icky things in the box, is latex gloves. It pays to be prepared for whatever you may find, like a nest with one or more decomposing chicks. (Hey, it happens.) OK, experienced monitors, what other things should a newbie nestbox monitor have with them on their appointed rounds? Brenda The Nature Club of Central New York
Date: Wed, 12 Apr 2000 12:46:25 -0700 ... How about: 1. A spatula for squashing hornet nests and shoveling out old nests Surely somebody can add to this... Wendy Guglieri
Date: Wed, 12 Apr 2000 16:36:56 -0400 Add: 1. a shop mirror to look at the nest without touching it.
Date: Wed, 12 Apr 2000 17:20:33 -0500 Randy Jones mentioned binoculars--when I walk to the back of my hay pasture to monitor the nestboxes there, I am often en route to or from another task and without my binoculars. I ALWAYS regret it, since there is often a bird I would like to identify or just observe more closely. I also use them to observe the bluebirds from a distance, especially when they are feeding a nestful of healthy active chicks, or to spot the parents who may be lurking nearby while I'm doing my monitoring. By all means take the binoculars! Kate Oschwald
Date: Wed, 12 Apr 2000 19:52:36 -0400 Hi list: Thought I would add a few things in addition to what has been mentioned which is good. 1. Large industrial size tweezers, 12" long. Great for squeezing wasps, doing autopsies when needed, removing sterile eggs and picking up undesirable things. These can be found at a full service hardware store. 2. Baby butt cleaners, they are pre moistened in a plastic container. Clean hands after handling young birds during a nest change or blowfly check. 3. Roll of paper towels, for drying hands. 4. Plastic grocery bags with 2 handles. They can hook on your box and help as 3 hands. Always remove old nests, sparrow victims, etc. and place in bag with a twisty tie. Put in your trash, never leave along the trail to attract predators. 5. Portable sparrow traps, as the Bolt Trap which has been used 5 times this year. Place sparrow in bag as in 4 above. Doug Snook
Date: Wed, 12 Apr 2000 19:58:59 EDT Rhonda I'll add a good pocket-knife, in my case, one of the Leatherman-type which has pliers, reg. and Phillips screwdrivers, etc. Also roll of duct tape-- handy for quick repairs to all sorts of things (blocking vents, emergency hinges, even putting a box on a pole!) I usually have it all in a bum-bag or backpack to keep my hands free since I'm usually on horseback. Total to carry so far: 1. leatherman knife I love all the ideas (both things and what to do with them)! Anybody got more?
Date: Wed, 12 Apr 2000 20:16:10 EDT I take an old pancake spatula, great for removing nests and kill wasps too. I have mirror that is just a little smaller than my boxes. I get them from a glass shop usually for free about 4" by 8" is a good size. Bob Wilson
Date: Wed, 12 Apr 2000 22:40:47 -0400 Hi Bluebirders, We might also carry with us: Pliers Those have been good suggestions, folks. At this rate that horse will be sway-backed.... Vivian
Date: Wed, 12 Apr 2000 22:52:16 EDT Hi, Stephen-- I'm in Wilton, "over the mountain" from you. The earliest I think I've had the BBs actually lay is 25 April. Looks like they are being smart this year, not jumping the gun. The female will build the nest, but might or might not lay right away. And you're right, they haven't the least consideration to wait and do the interesting stuff while we are home!! Is your box made to open so you can check inside? (Both for your enjoyment as well as to make sure all is well!) Keep an eye on the postings here-- there is a wonderful "newcomers' Message" which is posted weekly, I think-- it will give you the websites for *lots* of information. In the meantime, try the website for North American Bluebird Society http://www.nabluebirdsociety.org/ Good luck, and welcome!
Date: Thu, 13 Apr 2000 07:26:01 -0400 Haleya Priest Amherst MA ....and how about a 1) good functioning bag or tool box to put all these goodies in? Craftsman makes a tool bag that opens like a doctor's bag - with all sorts of nice pockets, etc for tools, etc.. 2) an extra nest for emergencies 3) the name and # of your nearest rehabber 4) extra screws, nails, clamps, etc in case something needs quick repair
Date: Thu, 13 Apr 2000 07:30:59 -0400 ... Betty Nichols, Middletown, MD How about one more idea -- I carry my cell-phone. I travel alone and feel much safer .
Date: Thu, 13 Apr 2000 07:09:31 -0700 From Tena Taylor, Calhoun County, Mississippi What a co-ink-a-dink! Just today I am putting together a sheet of how to monitor instructions for use on our recently acquired Grenada Lake Trail (253 boxes!). MISSISSIPPI BLUEBIRDS met last Saturday, and agreed to take this on and also to register it on the TBT. Hopefully we can come up with enough volunteers to not put any of us out too much. I appreciate all the input on what to take. I had not thought of the tape...thanks all! Monitored by trail yesterday before the rain started, and here's what I found: (all EAstern BLuebrids, unless otherwise noted) 7 nests with 30 eggs Have 5 babies that should have fledged yesterday, but they were still there right after lunch. Have another batch of 5 that should fly today or tomorrow, and I have to work!!! Last week I reported the wretched results of HOSP, mama found dead in nest and eggs gone. I removed the nest. In just one week's time they had rebuilt and already laid 2 eggs. Wish I did know that poem, Bruce...Please post the title when you find it! Have a Happy Bluebird Day! tt
Date: Thu, 13 Apr 2000 21:15:28 -0500 I have finally settled on a small backpack with outside pockets. This leaves both hands free for field glasses, notepad, etc. Bluebird Bob, NE Oklahoma.
Date: Thu, 13 Apr 2000 21:14:25 -0700 I stock a fishing vest (all those handy pockets!) plus have extra supplies in a toolbox I keep in the truck. The vest supplies rotate depending on the season. For instance, sandpaper and to fine-tune door openings before my guests arrive and to smooth entrance holes a bit. During nesting season, I pack large baggies to cart away old nests and Tanglefoot to keep out ants. An extra vehicle key is fastened to my binoculars. Linda Violett R_C Walshaw wrote: I have finally settled on a small backpack with outside pockets. This leaves
Date: Sat, 15 Apr 2000 13:47:34 EDT This list produced every piece of equipment I now carry for monitoring! However, I do need to add that, if you carry binoculars, there is no need to carry a magnifying glass to check band numbers....just turn your binocs around and look through them backwards! It works like a charm..... Dee Warenycia (warbler5"at"aol.com) From: Haleya Priest Target is now selling a less expensive Garmin GPS unit. It is on sale this week (not sure if these sales are nationwide) here for $78.00. WOW - used to be the least expensive I could find was around $149.00. This is the GEKO 101 For those that might not know, Global Positioning Units (GPS) help you determine the near exact latitude and longitude of your boxes for entering data into Cornell's nest box surveys. They aren't 100% accurate, but close and easy enough. Haleya Priest Amherst MA ... From: Bruce Burdett [mailto:blueburd"at"verizon.net] Sent: Friday, April 15, 2005 3:50 PM Subject: Beekeeping: Hive Tool [In response to a question - what is a hive tool that Burdett was using on wasps] Search "Beekeeping: Hive Tool" and hit the first link: Bruce Burdett From: Lynn Emerich [mailto:lemerich"at"epix.net] Bruce, this tool looks very similar to one at Lowes and Home Depot - look in the paint department. Lynn From: Johanna Muench [mailto:jmuench"at"gmail.com] On 4/4/07, WoolwineHouse"at"aol.com <WoolwineHouse"at"aol.com> wrote: Christine, I use a mechanic's mirror to see what is going on in nests when the nest is tall like that. and I usually angle the mirror to see the eggs or chicks and take a photo of what the mirror shows. Has worked pretty well for me. You can get the mechanic's mirror at just about any parts store and the bigger (like a 2" diameter) seems to capture everything in there. My smaller one lets me see in easily but harder to photograph. Congrats on the wrens and 5 bluebird eggs! From: Bob Walshaw [mailto:walshaw1 "at"cox.net]
Sent: Monday, May 21, 2007 10:07 PM Subject: Pit Bull attack I was attacked on the Bluebird trail today by a pit bulldog that had broken its chain. Although I was not legally packing heat as I often do I was carrying a heavy staff and with this and the help of a large garbage can I was able to drive him off without getting bitten. Not everyone is comfortable being armed (although concealed carry permit training is quick and inexpensive) at least it is wise to carry a strong staff and a cell phone when you are on the trail. Bluebird Bob.
From: Duane Rice [mailto:drbirdsong4 "at"hotmail.com] Sent: Monday, May 21, 2007 10:22 PM Subject: RE: Pit Bull attack Bob, From: RBALTRUNAS "at"cs.com [mailto:RBALTRUNAS "at"cs.com] |
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