Carl Crow stopped by this morning to visit. It is difficult to photograph American Crows because they are very jumpy birds and don’t remain stationary very long. They are socialable birds but always keep an eye out for their arch enemies — Raptors.
American Crow — 12/31/2007
Click on the link below to read about American Crows.
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We are getting some much needed rain in Piedmont North Carolina today. However, the birds are having a “bad feather day” because of the rain.
Photo #1
“What are you looking at? “
Wet Eastern Bluebird — 12/30/2007
Photo #2
Wet Northern Cardinal — 12/30/2007
Photo #3
Wet Red-Bellied Woodpecker — 12/30/2007
It pays to keep plenty of suet out for the wild song birds. It is a high-energy food that helps keep the birds warm on those cold rainy days.
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Silas Squirrel stopped by one of the bird feeders this morning to munch on an acorn. Apparently there is a “stash” of acorns buried in the soft dirt next to the concrete base.
Silas Squirrel — 12/29/2007
To read about Eastern Gray Squirrels, click on the link below.
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Eastern Bluebirds like to check out the suitability of nestboxes in the area. On warm days in the fall and winter you can spot them looking at all of the real estate in the neighborhood.
Eastern Bluebird inspecting nestbox –– 12/28/2007
Eastern Bluebird getting a second opinion on the nestbox — 12/28/2007
It’s time to get those nestboxes in top shape for the next nesting season. Be sure to clean the interiors thoroughly and get rid of old nesting material. Rub the interior surfaces of the ceiling and door with a bar of unscented ivory soap to deter paper wasps from building nests.
If you have questions regarding Eastern Bluebirds, contact Bluebird Shepherd.
Bluebird Shepherd
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Please visit the Help-for-Bluebirds.org web site which is now officially operational. Click on the link below:
Help-for-Bluebirds.org (HFBB) is a non-profit virtual organization dedicated to promoting conservation of all three bluebird species — Eastern, Mountain, and Western. HBFF is not affiliated with any other organization and is staffed entirely by non-paid volunteers.
HFBB operates on a three-pillar approach. The first pillar recognizes the value of the vast untapped treasure of knowledge present among individuals living in the geographical regions inhabited by bluebirds. The second pillar recognizes the value of applied research based on the Scientific Method. The third pillar recognizes the value of education in promoting bluebird conservation especially when our youth are involved at an early age.
HFBB’s three-pronged approach to advancing bluebird conservation:
Natural habitats and food supplies are dwindling dramatically every year putting the survival of our bluebird populations at great risk. Help-for-Bluebirds.org needs volunteers to join the campaign to conserve our bluebird populations.
Volunteers are needed to fill the following Director Positions:
If you would like to volunteer, click on the link provided below.
Volunteers are needed to staff the following functional areas:
If you would like to volunteer, click on the link provided below.
Bluebird Shepherd
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A turkey vulture stopped by to clean the carcass of a dead squirrel that had been run over by a car.
Photo #1 Turkey Vulture – 12–22–2007
click to read about Turkey Vultures
Turkey Vultures can have wing spans of 25–32 inches and weight as much as 4.4 pounds. They tend to feed by themselves.
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Posted by helpforbluebirds
This article discusses an Eastern Bluebird nestbox that is an ideal building project for individuals as well as groups . It can easily be turned into a kit for assembly during workshops or as a school science project.
Suitable materials for building nestboxes can often be obtained from the scrap piles located near new home construction sites. Be sure to ask the job site supervisor for permission to remove the scrap materials. AVOID using pressure treated lumber due to its potential to harm woodworkers and birds.
Nestbox building materials for school science projects, bird trails, scout projects, etc. can often be obtained through grants. Home building supply companies including Lowe’s and Home Depot budget money annually for such grants. Be sure to submit your request early in the budget year along with a project description. Be prepared to talk to your local store manager about the project. A well prepared project plan can be a great help in securing grants.
Before starting a bluebird nestbox building effort be sure to review the specifications for bluebird nestboxes. Click on the link below to review specifications.
Let’s start the discussion by examining a completed nestbox before it is painted or stained.
Photo #1 – Eastern Bluebird nestbox front view
With the exception of the roof, the nestbox is made of 1 X 6 white pine board. The nestbox shown in Photo #1 is a flat-roof front-opening type equipped with a metal locking pin located on the lower right side.
The double-roof consists of a 1 X 8 white pine board inner roof covered by a 12” long piece of James Hardie cedar mill fiber cement siding that is 8 1/4” wide. The double roof provides an effective heat barrier to resist radiant energy absorption. Radiant energy absorption through roofs is responsible for much of the heating that takes place within nesting chambers on hot summer days. The fiber cement outer roof will increase the useful life of the nestbox by many years. The long roof overhang in front provides extra shelter from elements. This feature affords cover for the adult bluebirds during the feeding phase of the nesting cycle.
A 30–degree upward sloping vent is provided at the top of the door to create an “air scooping effect” when breezes are available. This feature increases air flow and helps to lower the temperature within the nesting chamber.
The 1 1/2” diameter entrance hole is covered by a circular plate steel protector. The hole protector prevents hole enlargement by woodpeckers and gnawing varmints. Enlarged entrance holes allow undesirable bird species such as Starlings to gain access to the nestbox.
Photo #2 – Eastern Bluebird nestbox side view
The nestbox features side roof line vents to improve ventilation and help prevent “heat pockets” from building up under the roof.
Photo #3 – Eastern Bluebird nestbox rear view
The nestbox also features a rear roof line vent to facilitate airflow through the nesting cavity. This feature is especially useful when breezes are available. The roof overhang at the rear of the nestbox shelters the roof line vent and helps protect the upper wood surfaces from the elements.
Photo #4 — Eastern Bluebird nestbox front view with door open
Easy access to bluebird nestboxes to allow monitoring and cleaning is a critical requirement. This nestbox is a front-opening-type hinged at the top and equipped with a metal locking pin located on the right side. The floor of the nestbox has been recessed 3/4” to prevent “drip siphoning” and provide a finger hold for opening the door. Drip siphoning occurs when water crosses the edges of the bottom surfaces and is absorbed by the floor. The floor has 45–degree corner cuts and a 3/8” diameter center drain hole to provide drainage if water should enter the nesting cavity.
Photo #5 – Eastern Bluebird nestbox after painting
The nestbox shown above was primed with Zinsser oil-based exterior primer. A “light sage” colored exterior paint was used as the finish coat on the nestbox. Lighter colors are desirable to help lower radiant energy absorption. The metal hole protector was painted royal blue to signify that nestbox is intended for bluebirds.
Note: Do not paint or stain the interior surfaces of the nestbox.
We need your help to survive!
Please help conserve our bluebird population by building safe comfortable durable nestboxes and locating them in suitable nesting areas.
A North American Bluebird Society membership will help in the bluebird conservation effort and also makes a great gift for family members and others. Click on the link provided below to order a membership or become a sponsor. You can also donate in memory of a loved one.
If you would like a copy of the plan and bill of materials for the nestbox, click on the link provided below.
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Posted by helpforbluebirds
A variety of wild song birds eat suet especially during winter because it is a high-energy food source. Be sure to put out plenty of suet for your feathered visitors.
Photo #1 – Eastern Bluebird on suet feeder
Photo # 2 – Northern Cardinal on suet feeder
Photo # 3 – Downy Woodpecker on suet feeder
Photo # 4 – Red-bellied Woodpecker on suet feeder
Photo #5 – American Goldfinch on suet feeder
If you would like the plans and bill of materials to make a double-enclosed suet feeder using easily obtainable items, click on the link provided immediately below.
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Building bluebird nestboxes can be great fun for individuals, families, and community organizations such as Scout Troops. The key to a successful nest box building project is to understand the basics of safe, comfortable, and durable nestboxes before starting the project.
Photo # 1
Eastern Bluebirds examining nestbox with a fiber cement outer roof made of James Hardie siding.
Basics of safe, comfortable, and durable Eastern Bluebird nestboxes:
Specifications
The North American Bluebird Society (NABS) publishes a comprehensive set of nestbox specifications on their web site. I strongly recommend reviewing these specifications as the first step of a nestbox construction project. A NABS membership makes a great holiday gift for bluebird enthusiasts.
Building materials
You can often obtain acceptable nestbox building materials by visiting new home construction job sites and requesting permission from the supervisor to use scrap materials. Avoid using pressure treated wood in your projects due to its potential to harm woodworkers and birds.
Click on the links below to read about pressure treated lumber:
Accessibility
Nestboxes should be routinely monitored during nesting season and thoroughly cleaned immediately after each nesting cycle. In order to accomplish these important steps, you need to provide easy access to the interior of nestboxes.
Photo #2
Front-opening Eastern Bluebird nestbox with hinged door that swings upward. The horizontal grooves under the entrance hole provide a “ladder” for the nestlings to reach the hole during feeding.
Ventilation & drainage
Nestboxes should have proper ventilation for the safety of nesting birds birds during hot weather. One proven approach is to provide narrow roof-line vents under the roofs of nest boxes. This approach will prevent “heat pockets” from building up under the roof similar to what happens in an improperly vented home attic. The floors of nestboxes should provide drainage to remove any water that may enter the nesting chamber. Adding 45–degree corner cuts and a center drain hole to floors is a good approach to providing drainage. Floors should be recessed about 3/4” to prevent “drip siphoning” when it rains.
Photo #3
Eastern Bluebird nestbox with side roof-line ventilation slots to prevent “heat pockets” from building up under the roof.
Photo #4
Eastern Bluebird nestbox with floor drainage provisions including 45–degree corner cuts and 3/8” center drain hole. The floor has been recessed 3/4” to prevent “drip siphoning” and to provide a finger hold to open the door.
Physical integrity & weather proofing
Ensure that all exposed nestbox joints and door seams are tight and do not allow rain water to enter the nestbox. Coat the exterior of nestboxes with a high-quality exterior paint or wood preservative. Light colors are preferred to minimize radiant energy absorption. A long roof overhang at the front of the nestbox provides extra shelter from the sun and rain. The long overhang is particularly useful during the later stages of the nesting cycle when the adult birds feed the nestlings from outside the nestbox.
Adding fiber cement outer roofs to nestboxes using materials such as James Hardie siding is a great way to make them last longer and to decrease nesting chamber temperatures during hot weather. Fiber cement materials resist radiant energy absorption and last for many years when properly installed. Be sure to add a metal locking pin to control unwanted access to the interior of the nestbox. Putting a metal hole protector over the outside of the entrance hole will prevent enlargement by woodpeckers and squirrels.
Photo #5
Eastern Bluebird nestbox with fiber cement outer roof and sloped ventilation slot at top of door. Note the metal hole protector and metal locking pin on the right.
If you have questions regarding Eastern Bluebird nestboxes or would like a copy of the plans and bill of materials for an easy-to-build safe, comfortable, and durable Eastern Bluebird nestbox, click on the link provided immediately below.
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Posted by helpforbluebirds
The next time you are in the mood for a woodworking project, try your hand at building a bluebird feeder. Building a feeder is a straightforward task that can be accomplished in about an hour including painting. This is a great project for families as well as groups. A lot of folks have taken a shot at building bluebird nest boxes but considerably fewer have tackled feeders.
Photo #1 – Eastern Bluebird feeder 12–14–2007
The ends and floor of the feeder in the photo above are made of 1 X 6 pine board. Entrance holes (1 1/2” diameter) are provided on each end of the feeder. The top is made of 1 X 8 pine board covered by a 12” long section of James Hardie cedar mill fiber cement siding. The sides are made of Plexiglas to allow feeding activities to be viewed. Access to the feeder is provided by gently pulling up on the “drop in” top to remove it. The Plexiglas sides slide out of slots cut in the sides and floor.
The feeder shown above is attached to an arm of a shepherd’s crook type of mounting pole using a 1/2” electrical hanger clamp bolted to the bottom.
A stainless steel condiment cup screwed to a base serves as a mealworm dispenser inside the feeder.
Bluebirds love mealworms especially when they are feeding offspring during the nesting season. Bluebird feeders provide a safe sheltered feeding environment. The feeders are very useful during inclement weather.
Photo #2 – Eastern Bluebird on feeder after snow storm 02–04–2006
Email Bluebird Shepherd if you would like a copy of the plans and bill of materials for the bluebird feeder shown in Photo #1 above.
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