In the spring of 2000, Tony and I installed a nest-box trail of different sized
boxes to attract a variety of cavity-nesting species found in our
Sierra Madrean pine-oak woodlands. Over the past seven years we have
continuously monitored the boxes as volunteers of Cornell Lab of
Ornithology’s Birdhouse Network. Each nesting season we submit
critically needed data on the breeding biology of several
cavity-nesting bird species found on our ranch. Larry Zeleny, a
champion of Eastern Bluebird recovery and founder of the North American
Bluebird Society, describes bluebird trails as a “network of
hope.” We hope our nest-box trail will be an example to others of
what can be done individually to help sustain existing species.
The Birdhouse Network (TBN) focuses on North
American cavity-nesting birds that will use nest boxes as surrogate
cavities. Now in its tenth year, TBN monitors have submitted data on
over 8,000 nest-boxes. Throughout the breeding season we monitor
activity weekly in and around each box by collecting information on
location, habitat characteristics, number of eggs, nestlings and
fledglings. When nesting season ends, data is sent online to Cornell
scientists for analysis. They study environmental factors affecting
nesting success, including pesticide exposure, predator interactions,
nest site selection and nest-box orientation. Cornell Lab is in need of
more participants, especially from the western United States. To sign
up for the Birdhouse Network, call (800) 843-2473.
At Birdland Ranch we have successfully fledged
Eastern Bluebirds (Azure), Ash-throated Flycatchers, Dusky-capped
Flycatchers, Elf Owls, Acorn Woodpeckers, Bridled Titmice and
Bewick’s Wren. This season we added five new nest-box sites.
Also, we are in our third year as a nest-cam host
for Cornell. We hope to attract a pair of Elf Owls, giving us a rare
glimpse into their breeding behavior (see Web-cam Project).
Also, in 2007 we will be studying other
species’ nests, for example, those found in the natural cavities
of our sycamore and ash trees. Our field notes and nest-box data will
be submitted to Cornell’s NestWatch project scheduled for launch
in 2008. TBN data will be added to information stored in the Nest
Record Program, a project begun in the nineteen-sixties that is merging
with TBN to form NestWatch. NestWatch will be the largest resource for
nesting data in North America.
Building our nest-box trail started us on a new
journey of commitment to wildlife conservation. Perhaps you, too, will
get involved? Give something back to the planet and do it now while
there is time. You can make a difference.
Kate Scott,
Project Manager
Links:
Grandfather Great Spirit,
Fill us with the Light.
Give us the strength to understand,
and the eyes to see.
Teach us to walk the soft
Earth as relatives to all that live.
