Dick Peterson

Posted by Ann Wick, Black Earth, WI by on behalf of Dorene Scriven:

Dick Peterson, the legendary designer of the Peterson Bluebird Nestbox, died May 4, 2000, at 81 years of age. Among many other things, Dick was one of the
founders of the Bluebird Recovery Program of Minnesota, one of the oldest and largest state bluebird organizations in the U.S.

The Peterson box has been vindicated by thousands of bluebirders and in many research projects. Over 12,000 people have received full-scale plans for the box; over 60,000 Peterson kits or completed boxes have been shipped by Ahlgren Construction, besides the myriads of people who have purchased the authentic box or its imitation elsewhere.

The Bluebird Recovery Program is establishing a Dick Peterson Memorial Fund. One of its purposes, besides research and preservation of his photography, will be the publication of a small book of reminiscences from people who knew Dick, had met him, or been influenced by him.

Anyone who would like to send a tribute to Dick in this way, please write them to the Bluebird Recovery Program, P.O. Box 3801, Mpls, MN 55403.

Date: Wed, 10 May 2000 21:56:48 EDT
From: "Kevin Bloom" kjbloom20"at"hotmail.com
To: Bluebird-L"at"cornell.edu
Subject: Dick Peterson-from the perspective of Ted Tempest

Kevin Bloom
Sunbury PA (55 miles North of Harrisburg)
E-mail: kjbloom20"at"hotmail.com
Lat: 40:50:29.735N Lon: 76:40:58.375W
Member of:
NABS,BSP,OBS,BAN,MBT,NCBS,NYSBS,EBF,BAM,NHBC,VBS,BBRP,IBS,IBP,TBN,PBRP
THE BLUEBIRD-L REF-GUIDE: http://www.crosswinds.net/~bluebirdguide/
CHECK OUT THE NESTBOX CAM:
http://birdsource.cornell.edu/birdhouse/camframe.html

Here is what Ted Tempest has to say about Dick Peterson. Ted knew him well. This is also to those who did not know Dick.
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Dick had a way of making people feel they knew him well. He had an unselfish manner about him and would gladly share his knowledge with anyone, no strings attached. He never charged a single dime for the thousands of nestboxes and traps he made and issued to folks who could not build their own or had no money to purchase them from other builders of such. He was an accomplished photographer and took many of the pictures, which included in a variety of books and
publications on blue birding, never taking a dime for their usage. Some publishers never returned his slides and photos. He was a " We" person, not an "I" person for he knew it would take the combined work of many to accomplish the Bluebird Recovery as we know it.

Thanks for your kind words, I will pass it on to Dicks family.
Ted

Larry, I wanted to construct a Peterson Box this week. I never made one before so, I downloaded actual plans from NABS and Bluebird-L “The Bluebird Box”. I also ran across your email responses on “Best of Bluebird Mailing List Classified.” After reading all the replies I decided to stop because I was not satisfied with the box design. I did not want to waste time, material and effort. I immediately started questioning the plans. I don’t understand why a 2x4 is used for the back, top and floor. This in my opinion is “overkill” in choice because of its thickness and is very susceptible to rot after a short period of time. I prefer to make all my boxes out of rough cut cedar ¾” or 1” thick pieces-- cedar is by far one of the top choices in nestbox construction. In my opinion, there is no reason why a ¾” or 1” thick wood piece can be used for the inner top, sides and bottom. Cedar just saves headaches down the road with preventative maintenance on my nest boxes, plus it is very appealing to the eye and fits into the look of the surroundings. And I am not a fan of painting or sealing boxes. It is not natural and bluebirds don’t need to be exposed to these chemicals. There is such an idea of revisions to make a “mousetrap” work better. To me your idea of changing the door opening (creating a bigger floor also) to 4 ½ wide and 1 ½” hole size are just revisions. And I am all for it. It is just common sense here and your argument is very strong. Just because a blueprint is out there doesn’t mean it can’t be improved, as long as it maintains its original function without diminishing efforts to protect our blue birds. I know there are going to be some “old school” bluebirders out there with ruffled feathers however, let’s please use some common sense. I think the Peterson Box is by far a great box, but it can be made better. Please let I and the BB-L know when modified plans are available. I would be highly interested. I want to replace the 2x4 and replace it with 1x6 ripped to 4 1/4”; keeping the same space available inside the box. It should not be hard to modify. Paul Dusek NABS Member Medina, Ohio

From: Larry A Broadbent [mailto:rockets"at"mnsi.net]
Sent: Friday, April 23, 2004 12:32 AM
Subject: Re: Starlings in my bluebird house

Paul, Actually the revised Peterson box idea comes from Don Wills from Ancaster, Ontario. Don has the largest and most productive Bluebird Trail in the province of Ontario. Don has field tested this revised Peterson box for well over ten years now, with outstanding success. Actually you don't have to wait for the plans. All that is really necessary is to make the door, ceiling, floor, and back out of 3/4" to 1" thick lumber that is at least 4 1/4" wide. The other requirement is to make a 1 1/2" ROUND hole. Now you have a Starling Proof Peterson Box. Regards, Larry A Broadbent Chatham, ON Canada

From: Fawzi P. Emad [mailto:femad"at"comcast.net]
Sent: Friday, April 23, 2004 8:20 AM
Subject: Re: Starlings in my bluebird house

I will be making plans for a modified Peterson box in the near future. I'll announce it when it is done sometime in late May. Fawzi Emad in Laytonsville, Maryland

From: Larry A Broadbent [mailto:rockets"at"mnsi.net]
Sent: Friday, April 23, 2004 11:58 AM
Subject: Starlings in my bluebird house

...I previously asked my good friend Fawzi Emad if he would consider drawing up the modified Peterson nestbox plans. Fawzi does an absolutely Terrific job of doing up the plans drawings. Actually, Fawzi has drawn up several Bluebird nestbox plans for other people and for his own designs. And I know that Fawzi also shares many if not all of my concerns with the Peterson nestbox being too narrow ( 3 1/2") and the Peterson vertical oval hole ( which allows Starlings to enter). I will try and get some color photos of some of Don Will's modified Peterson nestboxes that are 4 1/4" wide doors and 1 1/2" round holes and make them available ton anyone who wants them. Kind regards, Larry A Broadbent Chatham, ON

Can anyone tell me why the Peterson box was made with an oval hole rather
than a regular 1.5" hole to better protect the birds using it? I've read too
many posts about EABL babies being tossed out by starlings that can enter.
Seems like a waste all because of the bigger hole. ...

There is a large discussion of this. If you go to http://bluebird.htmlplanet.com and scroll down to bestofbluebirdL and click on that you'll go to the archive. Go down to Nestboxes, then Holes/Entrances - Peterson Oval -- click on that.

My own experience is: do not put oval holes in nestboxes unless you want starlings to go in there (which you don't). I use 1-9/16" holes with a 1-1/2" thick starling guard. The Peterson style boxes are lovely, and the EABL love them, but the oval hole is a disaster, IMO.

Paul Kilduff, Baltimore MD

On the Petersons, I think the idea was to match the shape of the bird's body.

Some folks who use Peterson's have not had problems with starlings. Unfortunately I have lots of starlings and so far not a one has bothered a bluebird or tree swallow using a Peterson, but who knows, might be a matter of time. Starlings in some areas are smaller than others. They're smart too, so it may be a learning thing.

I know some folks have posted that some starling entries are due to improperly constructed boxes where the hole is too big. It's supposed to be 1.375" x 2.250".

On your second question, I would guess yes.

Bet from CT

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