Birdingonthe.Net Recent Postings from Bluebird > Home > Mail > Alerts Updated on Friday, November 20 at 01:00 PM ET The most recently received Mail is at the top.	White-bearded Manakin,©Dan Lane

20 Nov Question on how to ripen winter apples ["Bob Walshaw" ] 20 Nov Recent question/picture of a round object on a bird's foot ["Bob Walshaw" ] 20 Nov RE: Trail Monitoring ["Gail Storm" ] 20 Nov Re: Trail Monitoring [Paulette Cothern ] 19 Nov Trail Monitoring ["Bob Walshaw" ] 20 Nov Re: circle of life ["Christine " ] 19 Nov Design A Box ["lviolett" ] 19 Nov Re: circle of life [Paulette Cothern ] 19 Nov circle of life ["Keith Kridler" ] 19 Nov Winter Bluebird Boxes ["Bob Walshaw" ] 18 Nov Re: Fw: Bird Feathers "Sing" [] 18 Nov Re: A Bluebird in the snow [Debbie ] 17 Nov A Bluebird in the snow ["Bob Walshaw" ] 17 Nov RE: BB's Back?! ["Dottie" ] 17 Nov Re: Bird Feathers "Sing" [Paulette Cothern ] 17 Nov RE: BB's Back?! [Duane Rice ] 17 Nov RE: Bird Feathers "Sing" [Duane Rice ] 17 Nov Re: BB's Back?! [Bill Apgar ] 17 Nov Re: Bird Feathers "Sing" [Paulette Cothern ] 17 Nov RE: 4-H Meeting [Duane Rice ] 17 Nov RE: BB's Back?! [Duane Rice ] 17 Nov Fw: Bird Feathers "Sing" ["Bob Walshaw" ] 17 Nov RE: Question for southern Bluebirders [Duane Rice ] 17 Nov 4-H Meeting ["Keith Kridler" ] 16 Nov Re: BB's Back?! [Paulette Cothern ] 16 Nov RE: BB's Back?! ["linyl" ] 16 Nov Question for southern Bluebirders ["Bob Walshaw" ] 16 Nov Re: BB's Back?! [Judith Mangiero ] 16 Nov RE: OT cleaning cement bird baths ["Dottie" ] 16 Nov BB's Back?! [Candace Bickel ] 15 Nov Re: now Relocating animals ["Bob Walshaw" ] 15 Nov Re: OT cleaning cement bird baths [] 15 Nov now Relocating animals ["Keith Kridler" ] 15 Nov Re: Homemade Suet ["shel AT shel.net" ] 14 Nov Re: suet ["Bob Walshaw" ] 14 Nov Wing singing by birds ["Bob Walshaw" ] 14 Nov Re: Homemade Suet ["Bob Walshaw" ] 14 Nov RE: suet ["Dottie" ] 14 Nov RE: $29.00 ! ["Dottie" ] 14 Nov Re: suet [Lynn ] 14 Nov RE: Homemade Suet ["Dottie" ] 14 Nov RE: Homemade Suet ["Dottie" ] 14 Nov RE: Real Suet ["Dottie" ] 14 Nov Re: $29.00 ! ["Bruce Burdett" ] 14 Nov RE: suet ["Joanne McIlhattan" ] 14 Nov Re: God Makes Suet, Folks. ["Bruce Burdett" ] 14 Nov Re: Real Suet ["Bruce Burdett" ] 14 Nov Re: God Makes Suet, Folks. ["Bob Walshaw" ] 14 Nov Re: Real Suet ["Keith Kridler" ] 14 Nov Re: Roosting Boxes / Drainage Holes ["lviolett" ] 14 Nov circling hawks and wild turkeys ["Judith Mangireo" ] 14 Nov Re: Real Suet ["Bruce Burdett" ] 14 Nov Re: Homemade Suet ["Paula Ziebarth" ] 14 Nov Fw: God Makes Suet, Folks. ["Christine " ] 14 Nov Re: Homemade Suet ["Bob Walshaw" ] 14 Nov Re: God Makes Suet, Folks. ["Bruce Burdett" ] 14 Nov Re: Homemade Suet ["Christine " ] 14 Nov Re: Roosting Boxes / Drainage Holes ["Keith Kridler" ] 14 Nov Re: Homemade Suet ["Keith Kridler" ] 13 Nov Re: Homemade Suet ? ? ? ["Bruce Burdett" ] 13 Nov Re: Old Box Offer to Grassroots [] 13 Nov Bluebird survival/birth rate ["Bob Walshaw" ] 13 Nov Re: Roosting Boxes / Drainage Holes ["Bob Walshaw" ] 13 Nov Homemade Suet [Susan Simko ] 13 Nov Re: Roosting Boxes / Drainage Holes ["lviolett" ] 13 Nov Linda's free nestbox offer ["Keith Kridler" ] 12 Nov Re: Old Box Offer to Grassroots ["lviolett" ] 12 Nov Re: Old Box Offer to Grassroots ["Bob Walshaw" ] 12 Nov FW: Marsh Wren [Duane Rice ] 12 Nov Re: Old Box Offer to Grassroots ["phillip berry" ] 12 Nov Old Box Offer to Grassroots ["lviolett" ] 12 Nov Re: free metal for nestbox roofs-LONG [Paulette Cothern ] 11 Nov Re: free metal for nestbox roofs-LONG [] 11 Nov Re: Straw ["Bruce Burdett" ] 11 Nov Re: Checking out boxes! ["Paula Ziebarth" ] 11 Nov Re: Checking out boxes! ["Bruce Burdett" ] Subject: Question on how to ripen winter apples From: "Bob Walshaw" <walshaw1 AT cox.net> Date: Fri, 20 Nov 2009 12:50:40 -0600 I rescued some Arkansas winter apples from the deer, but they are as hard as cannon balls. Any ideas on how to ripen them? Thanks, Bob Walshaw, NE OK. *********************** To stop receiving messages from this list, send an e-mail message bluebird-L-request AT cornell.edu The body of the message is simply leave More info on leaving e-lists: http://www.cit.cornell.edu/computer/elist/lyris/leave-more.html Subject: Recent question/picture of a round object on a bird's foot From: "Bob Walshaw" <walshaw1 AT cox.net> Date: Fri, 20 Nov 2009 12:59:45 -0600 On page 111 in the Sibley Guide to Bird life and Behavior there is a picture of a House Finch with foot pox, a disease that causes round swellings on bird's feet that as I remember the earlier picture sent to Bluebird-L look like the same. The disease sometimes causes birds to lose toes. Bob Walshaw, NE OK. *********************** To stop receiving messages from this list, send an e-mail message bluebird-L-request AT cornell.edu The body of the message is simply leave More info on leaving e-lists: http://www.cit.cornell.edu/computer/elist/lyris/leave-more.html Subject: RE: Trail Monitoring From: "Gail Storm" <paws4fun AT aeroinc.net> Date: Fri, 20 Nov 2009 08:03:17 -0600 Thanks for that site link. I've tried to help people I give boxes to, help in learning to hear the bluebird call but this will be great for that! Gail Storm NW IL on the WI border Orangeville, IL 61060 From: bounce-4616908-8767929 AT list.cornell.edu [mailto:bounce-4616908-8767929 AT list.cornell.edu] On Behalf Of Paulette Cothern Sent: Friday, November 20, 2009 7:51 AM To: Bob Walshaw; bluebird Subject: Re: Trail Monitoring Bob, I loved your poem so much! It inspired me to search out the bluebird song on the internet. Below is the link I found to listen to bluebird songs (and other birds also). I'm making a link on my desktop so I can quickly hear them whenever I need a pick-me-up! http://www.birdjam.com/birdsong.php?id=21 *********************** To stop receiving messages from this list, send an e-mail message bluebird-L-request AT cornell.edu The body of the message is simply leave More info on leaving e-lists: http://www.cit.cornell.edu/computer/elist/lyris/leave-more.html Subject: Re: Trail Monitoring From: Paulette Cothern <cothern AT bellsouth.net> Date: Fri, 20 Nov 2009 05:50:45 -0800 (PST) Bob, I loved your poem so much!  It inspired me to search out the bluebird song on the internet.  Below is the link I found to listen to bluebird songs (and other birds also).  I'm making a link on my desktop so I can quickly hear them whenever I need a pick-me-up! http://www.birdjam.com/birdsong.php?id=21 ________________________________ From: Bob Walshaw To: BLUEBIRD-L Sent: Thu, November 19, 2009 10:17:13 PM Subject: Trail Monitoring THE TRAIL MONITORS Out they go, rain or shine, Checking on their Bluebird line. Helping out those birds of blue, Walking in the grassy dew. Opening nestboxes one by one, Reveling in the morning sun. Finding nests and eggs so blue, Spring's promise coming true. Another nest with little ones, Waiting for the parents to come From east, west, north or south, With insects for each open mouth. One more nest -oh so sad! A roving Black Snake has been bad. Predator guards work in many ways But nature can have a different say. Another nest with babies strong, Showing that it won't be long Before their growing wings they'll try And out into the world they'll fly. They continue to check nest after nest, Enjoying successes and fighting pests. Enemies with beak and claw, Sharing the Bluebird's luck of the draw. But they know from day to day That all their efforts lead the way To bringing the Bluebirds safe and strong Back where all can hear their songs. By Bob Walshaw, NE OK *********************** To stop receiving messages from this list, send an e-mail message bluebird-L-request AT cornell.edu The body of the message is simply     leave More info on leaving e-lists: http://www.cit.cornell.edu/computer/elist/lyris/leave-more.html *********************** To stop receiving messages from this list, send an e-mail message bluebird-L-request AT cornell.edu The body of the message is simply leave More info on leaving e-lists: http://www.cit.cornell.edu/computer/elist/lyris/leave-more.html Subject: Trail Monitoring From: "Bob Walshaw" <walshaw1 AT cox.net> Date: Thu, 19 Nov 2009 22:17:13 -0600 THE TRAIL MONITORS Out they go, rain or shine, Checking on their Bluebird line. Helping out those birds of blue, Walking in the grassy dew. Opening nestboxes one by one, Reveling in the morning sun. Finding nests and eggs so blue, Spring's promise coming true. Another nest with little ones, Waiting for the parents to come From east, west, north or south, With insects for each open mouth. One more nest -oh so sad! A roving Black Snake has been bad. Predator guards work in many ways But nature can have a different say. Another nest with babies strong, Showing that it won't be long Before their growing wings they'll try And out into the world they'll fly. They continue to check nest after nest, Enjoying successes and fighting pests. Enemies with beak and claw, Sharing the Bluebird's luck of the draw. But they know from day to day That all their efforts lead the way To bringing the Bluebirds safe and strong Back where all can hear their songs. By Bob Walshaw, NE OK *********************** To stop receiving messages from this list, send an e-mail message bluebird-L-request AT cornell.edu The body of the message is simply leave More info on leaving e-lists: http://www.cit.cornell.edu/computer/elist/lyris/leave-more.html Subject: Re: circle of life From: "Christine " <WoolwineHouse AT aol.com> Date: Fri, 20 Nov 2009 03:17:42 +0000 Keith. I cannot tell you enough how much your writings are so motivational, inspiring, and educational. Thank you! They really make my day! Christine in Woolwine, VA _____________ Christine ...in Southwest Virginia -----Original Message----- From: "Keith Kridler" Date: Thu, 19 Nov 2009 07:15:23 To: BLUEBIRD-L Subject: circle of life Keith Kridler Mt. Pleasant, Texas Bluebirds are a predator species on the warmer days when insects are available. To fill in their diet they know where all the fruits and berries are still located in the area. Each day bluebirds tend to have a fairly consistent route or circle they follow depending on the weather. They leave a general roost area and spend time early in the morning sitting exposed to direct sunshine on clear days. They drift along their route with short flights that carry them from one good hunting perch to another and often stop off to snack on berries. As the sun warms up they tend to hunt insects in protected areas. South facing edges of woods or the south sides of fences and buildings provide more insects as these areas warm up quicker every day as the sun shines from its more southern location. Bluebirds still guard their territory and nestboxes within their territory during the fall/winter and almost daily you will see them checking out nestboxes and favored watering sites. They do not seem to fight over territory as fiercely as they do as nesting season approaches in late January or early February. Wild Grapes and the Virginia creeper vines have already been stripped of fruit now. There are still Pokeweed, dogwood, Chinese Tallow berries ripe everywhere. Persimmons are ripening and trees are aglow with orange fruit. Loblolly Pines are dropping winged seeds and these are spinning rapidly as they are scattering to the wind. Most fallen seeds will only be producing food for the seed eaters. Sweetgum trees are also covering the ground with tiny black seeds about the size of Niger Thistle. The finches will be back in the south soon to feast on these. Sycamore trees also produce small hard seeds for the finches. These are not quite ripe yet but these seeds look like tiny tent stakes. Thousands of seeds (well at least hundreds) form in every ball, these seeds will be floating away from their mother tree on a tuft of fuzz stuck to the seeds as birds tear into these later this winter. Anyway watch for the bluebirds as they often follow or are followed by small flocks of other species of birds. A family of bluebirds will leave their roosts at first light and will return to roost as the sun disappears. All during the day they will follow basically the same route checking to see which fruits are now ripe. If you have livestock or herds of deer, watch as the Phoebe's and sometimes bluebirds or other flycatchers will feed on the blood filled biting insects around these larger creatures. Larger wild game often flush the larger insects up out of the grass or weeds and the insect eaters will perch nearby to drop down on an easy meal. Again Deer follow a feeding route and a time schedule or a circle most of their life. Deer, raccoons, crows ETC. also break apart acorns, pecans and fall ripening pears allowing the smaller, weaker beaked birds access to bits and pieces of these fruits. Fall is also the time that the Pecan weevils and the grubs that eat out the centers of acorns are coming out of these nuts to burrow into the grown for winter. Again birds know at what temperature these will be active and available at certain times of the day. They time their feeding route more by temperature than by time of day. We often refer to the "Circle of Life". If you think about it nearly ALL creatures wild or tame spend their whole day moving around in their "circle". Humans also go from their shelter, to work or school (this provides the money for their food) but we all rely on stops for water & food and then back to our roost area or shelter and do this all over again tomorrow. Humans have become spoiled, our circle of life is mostly flat. Wild creatures must be aware of a "ball or globe of life". They must constantly watch the heavens above and be aware of lifes many pitfalls on the ground. We humans speed through life flying down the interstate highways. Few people are ever aware of the current phase of the moon at night and fewer still EVER see the potholes in the highways until we get jolted out of our flat circle by slamming into one of the deeper holes:-)) Watch this week as you continue your normal circle of life and see just how many other creatures circles you can cross....KK *********************** To stop receiving messages from this list, send an e-mail message bluebird-L-request AT cornell.edu The body of the message is simply leave More info on leaving e-lists: http://www.cit.cornell.edu/computer/elist/lyris/leave-more.html *********************** To stop receiving messages from this list, send an e-mail message bluebird-L-request AT cornell.edu The body of the message is simply leave More info on leaving e-lists: http://www.cit.cornell.edu/computer/elist/lyris/leave-more.html Subject: Design A Box From: "lviolett" <lviolett AT earthlink.net> Date: Thu, 19 Nov 2009 12:48:30 -0800 I've just added a web page to help those who are thinking of re-designing their own boxes for the upcoming season: http://home.earthlink.net/~lviolett/designabox.html Linda Violett Yorba Linda, Calif. *********************** To stop receiving messages from this list, send an e-mail message bluebird-L-request AT cornell.edu The body of the message is simply leave More info on leaving e-lists: http://www.cit.cornell.edu/computer/elist/lyris/leave-more.html Subject: Re: circle of life From: Paulette Cothern <cothern AT bellsouth.net> Date: Thu, 19 Nov 2009 05:41:16 -0800 (PST) Thanks Keith, I enjoyed reading your post about bird behavior and how they have their own area in which to feed and survive.  I like to know what they like to eat so I can try to plant more of it in my garden.  Looking out my back door down my bluebird trail, I see a bluebirds perched on a post near a bluebird box.  He has flown to the ground a couple of times.  It's 7:30 CST so I guess he is searching for food.  He is early. Usually there are 4 or 5 more birds that show up around 9 a.m.  Something must have them off their routine.  I think they roost in the trees on either side of the open field behind my house.  I've intended to watch my boxes just before dark to see if they are going in one for the night.  Maybe not since it's not all that cold yet (low 40's at night) so they may not need the warmth of other bodies yet.  Thanks again for sharing the information! Paulette N. Mid. TN About 20 mi. from KY border  ________________________________ From: Keith Kridler To: BLUEBIRD-L Sent: Thu, November 19, 2009 7:15:23 AM Subject: circle of life Keith Kridler Mt.. Pleasant, Texas Bluebirds are a predator species on the warmer days when insects are available. To fill in their diet they know where all the fruits and berries are still located in the area. Each day bluebirds tend to have a fairly consistent route or circle they follow depending on the weather. They leave a general roost area and spend time early in the morning sitting exposed to direct sunshine on clear days. They drift along their route with short flights that carry them from one good hunting perch to another and often stop off to snack on berries. As the sun warms up they tend to hunt insects in protected areas. South facing edges of woods or the south sides of fences and buildings provide more insects as these areas warm up quicker every day as the sun shines from its more southern location. Bluebirds still guard their territory and nestboxes within their territory during the fall/winter and almost daily you will see them checking out nestboxes and favored watering sites. They do not seem to fight over territory as fiercely as they do as nesting season approaches in late January or early February. Wild Grapes and the Virginia creeper vines have already been stripped of fruit now.. There are still Pokeweed, dogwood, Chinese Tallow berries ripe everywhere. Persimmons are ripening and trees are aglow with orange fruit. Loblolly Pines are dropping winged seeds and these are spinning rapidly as they are scattering to the wind. Most fallen seeds will only be producing food for the seed eaters. Sweetgum trees are also covering the ground with tiny black seeds about the size of Niger Thistle. The finches will be back in the south soon to feast on these. Sycamore trees also produce small hard seeds for the finches. These are not quite ripe yet but these seeds look like tiny tent stakes. Thousands of seeds (well at least hundreds) form in every ball, these seeds will be floating away from their mother tree on a tuft of fuzz stuck to the seeds as birds tear into these later this winter. Anyway watch for the bluebirds as they often follow or are followed by small flocks of other species of birds. A family of bluebirds will leave their roosts at first light and will return to roost as the sun disappears. All during the day they will follow basically the same route checking to see which fruits are now ripe. If you have livestock or herds of deer, watch as the Phoebe's and sometimes bluebirds or other flycatchers will feed on the blood filled biting insects around these larger creatures. Larger wild game often flush the larger insects up out of the grass or weeds and the insect eaters will perch nearby to drop down on an easy meal. Again Deer follow a feeding route and a time schedule or a circle most of their life. Deer, raccoons, crows ETC. also break apart acorns, pecans and fall ripening pears allowing the smaller, weaker beaked birds access to bits and pieces of these fruits. Fall is also the time that the Pecan weevils and the grubs that eat out the centers of acorns are coming out of these nuts to burrow into the grown for winter. Again birds know at what temperature these will be active and available at certain times of the day. They time their feeding route more by temperature than by time of day. We often refer to the "Circle of Life". If you think about it nearly ALL creatures wild or tame spend their whole day moving around in their "circle". Humans also go from their shelter, to work or school (this provides the money for their food) but we all rely on stops for water & food and then back to our roost area or shelter and do this all over again tomorrow. Humans have become spoiled, our circle of life is mostly flat. Wild creatures must be aware of a "ball or globe of life". They must constantly watch the heavens above and be aware of lifes many pitfalls on the ground. We humans speed through life flying down the interstate highways. Few people are ever aware of the current phase of the moon at night and fewer still EVER see the potholes in the highways until we get jolted out of our flat circle by slamming into one of the deeper holes:-)) Watch this week as you continue your normal circle of life and see just how many other creatures circles you can cross....KK *********************** To stop receiving messages from this list, send an e-mail message bluebird-L-request AT cornell.edu The body of the message is simply     leave More info on leaving e-lists: http://www.cit.cornell.edu/computer/elist/lyris/leave-more.html *********************** To stop receiving messages from this list, send an e-mail message bluebird-L-request AT cornell.edu The body of the message is simply leave More info on leaving e-lists: http://www.cit.cornell.edu/computer/elist/lyris/leave-more.html Subject: circle of life From: "Keith Kridler" <txbluebirder AT suddenlink.net> Date: Thu, 19 Nov 2009 07:15:23 -0600 Keith Kridler Mt. Pleasant, Texas Bluebirds are a predator species on the warmer days when insects are available. To fill in their diet they know where all the fruits and berries are still located in the area. Each day bluebirds tend to have a fairly consistent route or circle they follow depending on the weather. They leave a general roost area and spend time early in the morning sitting exposed to direct sunshine on clear days. They drift along their route with short flights that carry them from one good hunting perch to another and often stop off to snack on berries. As the sun warms up they tend to hunt insects in protected areas. South facing edges of woods or the south sides of fences and buildings provide more insects as these areas warm up quicker every day as the sun shines from its more southern location. Bluebirds still guard their territory and nestboxes within their territory during the fall/winter and almost daily you will see them checking out nestboxes and favored watering sites. They do not seem to fight over territory as fiercely as they do as nesting season approaches in late January or early February. Wild Grapes and the Virginia creeper vines have already been stripped of fruit now. There are still Pokeweed, dogwood, Chinese Tallow berries ripe everywhere. Persimmons are ripening and trees are aglow with orange fruit. Loblolly Pines are dropping winged seeds and these are spinning rapidly as they are scattering to the wind. Most fallen seeds will only be producing food for the seed eaters. Sweetgum trees are also covering the ground with tiny black seeds about the size of Niger Thistle. The finches will be back in the south soon to feast on these. Sycamore trees also produce small hard seeds for the finches. These are not quite ripe yet but these seeds look like tiny tent stakes. Thousands of seeds (well at least hundreds) form in every ball, these seeds will be floating away from their mother tree on a tuft of fuzz stuck to the seeds as birds tear into these later this winter. Anyway watch for the bluebirds as they often follow or are followed by small flocks of other species of birds. A family of bluebirds will leave their roosts at first light and will return to roost as the sun disappears. All during the day they will follow basically the same route checking to see which fruits are now ripe. If you have livestock or herds of deer, watch as the Phoebe's and sometimes bluebirds or other flycatchers will feed on the blood filled biting insects around these larger creatures. Larger wild game often flush the larger insects up out of the grass or weeds and the insect eaters will perch nearby to drop down on an easy meal. Again Deer follow a feeding route and a time schedule or a circle most of their life. Deer, raccoons, crows ETC. also break apart acorns, pecans and fall ripening pears allowing the smaller, weaker beaked birds access to bits and pieces of these fruits. Fall is also the time that the Pecan weevils and the grubs that eat out the centers of acorns are coming out of these nuts to burrow into the grown for winter. Again birds know at what temperature these will be active and available at certain times of the day. They time their feeding route more by temperature than by time of day. We often refer to the "Circle of Life". If you think about it nearly ALL creatures wild or tame spend their whole day moving around in their "circle". Humans also go from their shelter, to work or school (this provides the money for their food) but we all rely on stops for water & food and then back to our roost area or shelter and do this all over again tomorrow. Humans have become spoiled, our circle of life is mostly flat. Wild creatures must be aware of a "ball or globe of life". They must constantly watch the heavens above and be aware of lifes many pitfalls on the ground. We humans speed through life flying down the interstate highways. Few people are ever aware of the current phase of the moon at night and fewer still EVER see the potholes in the highways until we get jolted out of our flat circle by slamming into one of the deeper holes:-)) Watch this week as you continue your normal circle of life and see just how many other creatures circles you can cross....KK *********************** To stop receiving messages from this list, send an e-mail message bluebird-L-request AT cornell.edu The body of the message is simply leave More info on leaving e-lists: http://www.cit.cornell.edu/computer/elist/lyris/leave-more.html Subject: Winter Bluebird Boxes From: "Bob Walshaw" <walshaw1 AT cox.net> Date: Thu, 19 Nov 2009 00:01:31 -0600 WINTER BLUEBIRD BOXES The Bluebird trail is quiet Amid the ice and snow, And we look for ways to help The ones that didn't go. A bit of grass in every box To help those who stayed, And Godspeed wishes To those who went away. We review last year's records Of success along the trail, And often sit and wonder On places where we failed. Are some entrance holes 'Way too big? Squirrels and Woodpeckers Love to dig. Add some faceplates To where there's wear, And those boxes will be used For at least another year. Build a few more boxes? How quickly we forget The many miles of walking And just how hot it gets! Saw and nail and hammer, Oh how dumb! I always hit That wayward thumb! Along the Bluebird trail Its the quiet time of year, When thoughts move to family And other kinds of cheer. But we don't forget the Bluebirds Amid the ice and snow. And we hope they will survive, The ones who didn't go. By Bob Walshaw, NE OK. *********************** To stop receiving messages from this list, send an e-mail message bluebird-L-request AT cornell.edu The body of the message is simply leave More info on leaving e-lists: http://www.cit.cornell.edu/computer/elist/lyris/leave-more.html Subject: Re: Fw: Bird Feathers "Sing" From: KCBSP AT aol.com Date: Wed, 18 Nov 2009 19:03:20 EST Hey Bob, Thanks for sending that on. I never imagined a bird would be doing that but it does make sense. Isn't that amazing that its wings are faster than a hummingbird? I showed it to my daughter and her reaction was "Wait, What?" That would be a good trivia question for something. Kathy In a message dated 11/17/2009 11:47:49 A.M. Eastern Standard Time, walshaw1 AT cox.net writes: No one answered my question on this so I am forwarding it. WOW! I have never seen it before! Bob Walshaw, NE OK. ----- Original Message ----- From: _Cissy Walshaw_ (mailto:walshaw2 AT cox.net) To: _Robert Walshaw_ (mailto:walshaw1 AT cox.net) Sent: Saturday, November 14, 2009 7:29 PM Subject: Bird Feathers "Sing" I think you may have already read this article, but I didn't know if you had seen the video. Pretty amazing stuff!!! _http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2009/11/091111-bird-feathers-sing-v ideo.html_ (http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2009/11/091111-bird-feathers-sing-video.html) *********************** To stop receiving messages from this list, send an e-mail message bluebird-L-request AT cornell.edu The body of the message is simply leave More info on leaving e-lists: http://www.cit.cornell.edu/computer/elist/lyris/leave-more.html Subject: Re: A Bluebird in the snow From: Debbie <canchaser321 AT aol.com> Date: Wed, 18 Nov 2009 08:14:26 -0600 WOW Bob! That is really nice! Thanks for putting that on the list :) Sent from my iPhone On Nov 17, 2009, at 11:51 PM, "Bob Walshaw" wrote: > WINTER CHEER > > I saw a Bluebird in the snow, > He seemed to know just where to go > As he flew to eat those sumac berries, > Wishing they were summer cherries. > > He did not go south with the others > And will have a head start on his brothers > When once again it is time to sing > To compete and win a mate in spring. > > His feathers were fluffed against the cold > And I thought how very bold > For him to stay and not to go > Braving the wind and cold and snow. > > Like us he must do his best > To accept life's weather and the rest > And I am richer as I know > For seeing that Bluebird in the snow. > > By Bob Walshaw, NE OK. > > > *********************** > To stop receiving messages from this list, send an e-mail message > bluebird-L-request AT cornell.edu > The body of the message is simply > leave > > More info on leaving e-lists: http://www.cit.cornell.edu/computer/elist/lyris/leave-more.html > *********************** To stop receiving messages from this list, send an e-mail message bluebird-L-request AT cornell.edu The body of the message is simply leave More info on leaving e-lists: http://www.cit.cornell.edu/computer/elist/lyris/leave-more.html Subject: A Bluebird in the snow From: "Bob Walshaw" <walshaw1 AT cox.net> Date: Tue, 17 Nov 2009 23:51:52 -0600 WINTER CHEER I saw a Bluebird in the snow, He seemed to know just where to go As he flew to eat those sumac berries, Wishing they were summer cherries. He did not go south with the others And will have a head start on his brothers When once again it is time to sing To compete and win a mate in spring. His feathers were fluffed against the cold And I thought how very bold For him to stay and not to go Braving the wind and cold and snow. Like us he must do his best To accept life's weather and the rest And I am richer as I know For seeing that Bluebird in the snow. By Bob Walshaw, NE OK. *********************** To stop receiving messages from this list, send an e-mail message bluebird-L-request AT cornell.edu The body of the message is simply leave More info on leaving e-lists: http://www.cit.cornell.edu/computer/elist/lyris/leave-more.html Subject: RE: BB's Back?! From: "Dottie" <yumyumkatts AT voyager.net> Date: Tue, 17 Nov 2009 15:34:42 -0500 A flock of BB’s still here also. They will probably winter here. Dottie, Hickory Hollow   Brown County, Indiana      (50 miles south of Indianapolis) Lat: 39.371N  Lon: 86.261W  Zone 5  Elevation:  680 ft -----Original Message----- From: bounce-4593761-3587711 AT list.cornell.edu [mailto:bounce-4593761-3587711 AT list.cornell.edu] On Behalf Of Paulette Cothern Sent: Monday, November 16, 2009 10:55 PM To: bluebird Subject: Re: BB's Back?! I too had bluebirds in my birdbath on Sunday.  I was surprised to see 5 or 6 of them in the back yard perched on my bluebird boxes and on metal posts in the field when I took a walk.  It was a beautiful day-- sunny and about 72. Paulette N.. Mid. TN From: linyl To: Candace Bickel ; Bluebird-L AT list.cornell.edu Sent: Mon, November 16, 2009 9:47:22 PM Subject: RE: BB's Back?! I saw them today also.  Nice warm weather here. Linda in NW GA -----Original Message----- From: bounce-4590252-9482887 AT list.cornell.edu [mailto:bounce-4590252-9482887 AT list.cornell.edu] On Behalf Of Candace Bickel Sent: Monday, November 16, 2009 4:03 PM To: Bluebird-L AT list.cornell.edu Subject: BB's Back?! I wanted to share my thrill of seeing several bluebirds with family members splashing in our birdbath a few minutes ago.  It's been a number of weeks since I've seen any of them...Our weather has been a mixture of pouring rain..then several beautiful days of 70 plus degrees. In my walks to the lake, most of the birds seem to be hiding in the pines and bushes. We have chickadees, cardinals, titmice, carolina wrens, that have stuck around the seed feeder and bushes in our yard, but no BB's evident. The first of a pair of Junco's came early last week...another great event was seeing an America Goldfinch right along with the BB's.  He was bright yellow and interested in the new thistle feeder? The BB's came to my mealie feeder when I whistled, so mom and dad must have been in the mix.. Great ending to my day! Candace..Lake Wylie, SC       *********************** To stop receiving messages from this list, send an e-mail message bluebird-L-request AT cornell.edu The body of the message is simply     leave More info on leaving e-lists: http://www.cit.cornell.edu/computer/elist/lyris/leave-more.html *********************** To stop receiving messages from this list, send an e-mail message bluebird-L-request AT cornell.edu The body of the message is simply     leave More info on leaving e-lists: http://www.cit.cornell.edu/computer/elist/lyris/leave-more..html *********************** To stop receiving messages from this list, send an e-mail message bluebird-L-request AT cornell.edu The body of the message is simply leave More info on leaving e-lists: http://www.cit.cornell.edu/computer/elist/lyris/leave-more.html Subject: Re: Bird Feathers "Sing" From: Paulette Cothern <cothern AT bellsouth.net> Date: Tue, 17 Nov 2009 12:07:39 -0800 (PST) Duane,  it worked with my DSL line through bellsouth.  Give it a try at the library; it is worth taking a look. ________________________________ From: Duane Rice To: Charlie & Paulette Cothern ; walshaw1 AT cox.net; Bluebird L Sent: Tue, November 17, 2009 1:10:47 PM Subject: RE: Bird Feathers "Sing" Bob, Even though I have dial-up, I tried to look at it. "Video no longer available" was the messasge I recieved. I filed your message under videos, so maybe I can look at, on mt next trip to the library. Thanks, for trying. dr    ________________________________ Date: Tue, 17 Nov 2009 09:42:46 -0800 From: cothern AT bellsouth.net Subject: Re: Bird Feathers "Sing" To: walshaw1 AT cox.net; bluebird-L AT cornell.edu Interesting video of the manakin using its wings to sing.  Thanks for sharing it with us, Bob. ________________________________ From: Bob Walshaw To: BLUEBIRD-L Sent: Tue, November 17, 2009 10:46:37 AM Subject: Fw: Bird Feathers "Sing" No one answered my question on this so I am forwarding it. WOW! I have never seen it before! Bob Walshaw, NE OK. ----- Original Message ----- From: Cissy Walshaw To: Robert Walshaw Sent: Saturday, November 14, 2009 7:29 PM Subject: Bird Feathers "Sing" I think you may have already read this article, but I didn't know if you had seen the video.  Pretty amazing stuff!!! http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2009/11/091111-bird-feathers-sing-video.html ________________________________ Hotmail: Trusted email with powerful SPAM protection. Sign up now. *********************** To stop receiving messages from this list, send an e-mail message bluebird-L-request AT cornell.edu The body of the message is simply leave More info on leaving e-lists: http://www.cit.cornell.edu/computer/elist/lyris/leave-more.html Subject: RE: BB's Back?! From: Duane Rice <drbirdsong4 AT hotmail.com> Date: Tue, 17 Nov 2009 13:20:51 -0600 Thanks Bill. Yes, I was thinking sometime around the Christmas Bird Count would be good. It's about midway between August and April, either in late December and early January, and give folks about five days leeway on either side of the set date. Of course results will vary due to location and weather, just as they do during the CBC. Like I said in my initial post, very unofficial, just for the fun of it, and just out of curiosity. Hope you and yours have a good Thanksgiving, Duane Date: Tue, 17 Nov 2009 13:01:23 -0500 Subject: Re: BB's Back?! From: wmapgar AT gmail.com To: drbirdsong4 AT hotmail.com CC: Bluebird-L AT cornell.edu Duane, I don't see em till it gets real cold around here. I've been out on the trails and seen none recently. But I'll keep looking. This is a good idea. Bill Apgar MA On Tue, Nov 17, 2009 at 12:00 PM, Duane Rice wrote: Bluefolk across North America, I would like to propose, to those out there who would like to participate, doing an unofficial, off season, bluebird count, of some sort. Since, in most locales, they don't actually migrate, but instead, change their habits, habitat and diet, so we don't see them as regularly as we're accustomed to, it would mean, participants would have to go out and actually seek the bluebirds out, in their natural enviornment, insead of waiting for them to show up at your feeding station, birdbath, etc., although those birds that do, should be counted as well. I think it would be interesting to see what the results of such a count would be. What do ya'll think? IF you're interested, we should set a date, and give criteria for counting. Make note of where they were seen, what they were doing,eating,etc. I'm just throwing it out there. Whether it sticks or slides is up to ya'll. dr > From: linyl AT windstream.net > To: candacebickel AT yahoo.com; Bluebird-L AT list.cornell.edu > Subject: RE: BB's Back?! > Date: Mon, 16 Nov 2009 22:47:22 -0500 > > > I saw them today also. Nice warm weather here. > Linda in NW GA > > > > > > -----Original Message----- > From: bounce-4590252-9482887 AT list.cornell.edu > [mailto:bounce-4590252-9482887 AT list.cornell.edu] On Behalf Of Candace Bickel > Sent: Monday, November 16, 2009 4:03 PM > To: Bluebird-L AT list.cornell.edu > Subject: BB's Back?! > > > I wanted to share my thrill of seeing several bluebirds with family members > splashing in our birdbath a few minutes ago. It's been a number of weeks > since I've seen any of them...Our weather has been a mixture of pouring > rain..then several beautiful days of 70 plus degrees. In my walks to the > lake, most of the birds seem to be hiding in the pines and bushes. We have > chickadees, cardinals, titmice, carolina wrens, that have stuck around the > seed feeder and bushes in our yard, but no BB's evident. The first of a pair > of Junco's came early last week...another great event was seeing an America > Goldfinch right along with the BB's. He was bright yellow and interested in > the new thistle feeder? The BB's came to my mealie feeder when I whistled, > so mom and dad must have been in the mix.. Great ending to my day! > Candace..Lake Wylie, SC > > > > > > *********************** > To stop receiving messages from this list, send an e-mail message > bluebird-L-request AT cornell.edu > The body of the message is simply > leave > > More info on leaving e-lists: > http://www.cit.cornell.edu/computer/elist/lyris/leave-more.html > > > *********************** > To stop receiving messages from this list, send an e-mail message > bluebird-L-request AT cornell.edu > The body of the message is simply > leave > > More info on leaving e-lists: http://www.cit.cornell.edu/computer/elist/lyris/leave-more.html Windows 7: I wanted simpler, now it's simpler. I'm a rock star. -- Bill _________________________________________________________________ Windows 7: It works the way you want. Learn more. http://www.microsoft.com/Windows/windows-7/default.aspx?ocid=PID24727::T:WLMTAGL:ON:WL:en-US:WWL_WIN_evergreen:112009v2 *********************** To stop receiving messages from this list, send an e-mail message bluebird-L-request AT cornell.edu The body of the message is simply leave More info on leaving e-lists: http://www.cit.cornell.edu/computer/elist/lyris/leave-more.html Subject: RE: Bird Feathers "Sing" From: Duane Rice <drbirdsong4 AT hotmail.com> Date: Tue, 17 Nov 2009 13:10:47 -0600 Bob, Even though I have dial-up, I tried to look at it. "Video no longer available" was the messasge I recieved. I filed your message under videos, so maybe I can look at, on mt next trip to the library. Thanks, for trying. dr Date: Tue, 17 Nov 2009 09:42:46 -0800 From: cothern AT bellsouth.net Subject: Re: Bird Feathers "Sing" To: walshaw1 AT cox.net; bluebird-L AT cornell.edu Interesting video of the manakin using its wings to sing. Thanks for sharing it with us, Bob. From: Bob Walshaw To: BLUEBIRD-L Sent: Tue, November 17, 2009 10:46:37 AM Subject: Fw: Bird Feathers "Sing" No one answered my question on this so I am forwarding it. WOW! I have never seen it before! Bob Walshaw, NE OK. ----- Original Message ----- From: Cissy Walshaw To: Robert Walshaw Sent: Saturday, November 14, 2009 7:29 PM Subject: Bird Feathers "Sing" I think you may have already read this article, but I didn't know if you had seen the video. Pretty amazing stuff!!! http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2009/11/091111-bird-feathers-sing-video.html _________________________________________________________________ Hotmail: Trusted email with powerful SPAM protection. http://clk.atdmt.com/GBL/go/177141665/direct/01/ *********************** To stop receiving messages from this list, send an e-mail message bluebird-L-request AT cornell.edu The body of the message is simply leave More info on leaving e-lists: http://www.cit.cornell.edu/computer/elist/lyris/leave-more.html Subject: Re: BB's Back?! From: Bill Apgar <wmapgar AT gmail.com> Date: Tue, 17 Nov 2009 13:01:23 -0500 Duane, I don't see em till it gets real cold around here. I've been out on the trails and seen none recently. But I'll keep looking. This is a good idea. Bill Apgar MA On Tue, Nov 17, 2009 at 12:00 PM, Duane Rice wrote: > Bluefolk across North America, > I would like to propose, to those out there who would like to participate, > doing an unofficial, off season, bluebird count, of some sort. > Since, in most locales, they don't actually migrate, but instead, change > their habits, habitat and diet, so we don't see them as regularly as we're > accustomed to, it would mean, participants would have to go out and actually > seek the bluebirds out, in their natural enviornment, insead of waiting for > them to show up at your feeding station, birdbath, etc., although those > birds that do, should be counted as well. > I think it would be interesting to see what the results of such a > count would be. > What do ya'll think? > IF you're interested, we should set a date, and give criteria for counting. > Make note of where they were seen, what they were doing,eating,etc. > I'm just throwing it out there. Whether it sticks or slides is up to ya'll. > dr > > > From: linyl AT windstream.net > > To: candacebickel AT yahoo.com; Bluebird-L AT list.cornell.edu > > Subject: RE: BB's Back?! > > Date: Mon, 16 Nov 2009 22:47:22 -0500 > > > > > > I saw them today also. Nice warm weather here. > > Linda in NW GA > > > > > > > > > > > > -----Original Message----- > > From: bounce-4590252-9482887 AT list.cornell.edu > > [mailto:bounce-4590252-9482887 AT list.cornell.edu] On Behalf Of Candace > Bickel > > Sent: Monday, November 16, 2009 4:03 PM > > To: Bluebird-L AT list.cornell.edu > > Subject: BB's Back?! > > > > > > I wanted to share my thrill of seeing several bluebirds with family > members > > splashing in our birdbath a few minutes ago. It's been a number of weeks > > since I've seen any of them...Our weather has been a mixture of pouring > > rain..then several beautiful days of 70 plus degrees. In my walks to the > > lake, most of the birds seem to be hiding in the pines and bushes. We > have > > chickadees, cardinals, titmice, carolina wrens, that have stuck around > the > > seed feeder and bushes in our yard, but no BB's evident. The first of a > pair > > of Junco's came early last week...another great event was seeing an > America > > Goldfinch right along with the BB's. He was bright yellow and interested > in > > the new thistle feeder? The BB's came to my mealie feeder when I > whistled, > > so mom and dad must have been in the mix.. Great ending to my day! > > Candace..Lake Wylie, SC > > > > > > > > > > > > > *********************** > > To stop receiving messages from this list, send an e-mail message > > bluebird-L-request AT cornell.edu > > The body of the message is simply > > leave > > > > More info on leaving e-lists: > > http://www.cit.cornell.edu/computer/elist/lyris/leave-more.html > > > > > > *********************** > > To stop receiving messages from this list, send an e-mail message > > bluebird-L-request AT cornell.edu > > The body of the message is simply > > leave > > > > More info on leaving e-lists: > http://www.cit.cornell.edu/computer/elist/lyris/leave-more.html > > ------------------------------ > Windows 7: I wanted simpler, now it's simpler. I'm a rock star. > -- Bill *********************** To stop receiving messages from this list, send an e-mail message bluebird-L-request AT cornell.edu The body of the message is simply leave More info on leaving e-lists: http://www.cit.cornell.edu/computer/elist/lyris/leave-more.html Subject: Re: Bird Feathers "Sing" From: Paulette Cothern <cothern AT bellsouth.net> Date: Tue, 17 Nov 2009 09:42:46 -0800 (PST) Interesting video of the manakin using its wings to sing.  Thanks for sharing it with us, Bob. ________________________________ From: Bob Walshaw To: BLUEBIRD-L Sent: Tue, November 17, 2009 10:46:37 AM Subject: Fw: Bird Feathers "Sing" No one answered my question on this so I am forwarding it. WOW! I have never seen it before! Bob Walshaw, NE OK. ----- Original Message ----- From: Cissy Walshaw To: Robert Walshaw Sent: Saturday, November 14, 2009 7:29 PM Subject: Bird Feathers "Sing" I think you may have already read this article, but I didn't know if you had seen the video..  Pretty amazing stuff!!! http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2009/11/091111-bird-feathers-sing-video.html *********************** To stop receiving messages from this list, send an e-mail message bluebird-L-request AT cornell.edu The body of the message is simply leave More info on leaving e-lists: http://www.cit.cornell.edu/computer/elist/lyris/leave-more.html Subject: RE: 4-H Meeting From: Duane Rice <drbirdsong4 AT hotmail.com> Date: Tue, 17 Nov 2009 11:33:36 -0600 Keith, I feel your pain, brother. On the "up" side, is your contributions to making the future brighter for the wildlife and the next generation, by the seeds you are planting now. I recently chaperoned my twelve-year old daughters class, on a three day,two night classroom field trip, to Camp Cosby in Alabama. It was an "nature's classroom" sort of camp, where the kids learned how to identify birds, animal adaptation, how to use a compass, canoeing,etc. The kids were great! Their enthusiasm was inspirational. In spite of every electronic gadget being confiscated upon their arrival, I never heard one of my kids say anything about wanting their I-pod, DS, or cell phone. Not one word! It gave me hope. But better than all that, was the Thank-you cards I recieved from the kids in my group. All hand-made, in their own words, telling me what they learned about birds, and how important they are, in the great circle of life. It truly touched my heart. Anyway, in the end, it's all about adaptation. Both for the wild creatures and humans. We are all God's creation, our fate, is ultimately in His hands. Our mission, as stewards of the garden, is learn how to all co-exist, in harmony. Our very survival depends on it. All the answers, are all within our grasp. nuff said 4 now, dr > From: txbluebirder AT suddenlink.net > To: BLUEBIRD-L AT cornell.edu > Subject: 4-H Meeting > Date: Tue, 17 Nov 2009 07:21:53 -0600 > > Keith Kridler Mt. Pleasant, Texas > A huge thunderstorm system ripped through North Texas Sunday night. Severe > winds from the west ripped the last of the leaves from trees, blew down > trees and ripped shingles from roof tops but it only dumped 1/2" of rainfall > on the walls of several thousand bluebird nestboxes in our area. > > Last night at 5 PM we were nailing down felt roofing paper on a house 20 > miles north of Mt. Pleasant and I had a 4-H youth program scheduled to start > at 6 PM! This was the THIRD house roof we had made temporary repairs on in > just one day and we saw flocks of bluebirds EVERYWHERE along the 80 miles of > roads we criss crossed. > > All three of these properties we worked on had five or more bluebird > nestboxes up around their property and the last one has up more than 12 > nestboxes around their house and 40 acres. They have "more" bluebird > nestboxes on their other "farms" or cattle pastures. > > The 4-H program started on time:-)) thanks to Sandy having computer, > projector, cords ETC. in the car and clean clothes laying out on the back > porch:-)) There were 27 children and adults present with a few more coming > in during the program. A little more than half of the families have up > bluebird nestboxes. We tentatively scheduled another program where I will > donate nestbox kits and they will all get to build a new nestbox by spring. > Pretty rare for me locally to only have HALF of those present with nestboxes > in their yards. I forgot to ask how many live inside the city. > > Mostly 12 year old children or younger in this group. Nearly all of those > present have seen nests of bluebirds. More than HALF of those present have > recently seen Flying Squirrels. FOUR of then have kept some as pets! (I > personally NEVER saw a Flying Squirrel in a nestbox during the first FIFTEEN > years of checking nest boxes!!) I was nine years old when I saw my FIRST > bluebird! > > This was more a wildlife program than a bluebird program, where I have those > present shout out what they think I want them to see in each of the 60 plus > photos. > > After the shot of a Full Moon rising, I ask what animals come out after > dark? The most popular answer is ALWAYS "Bats". I am WAITING for them to > call out Raccoon......Then pop up a picture of a raccoon pulling out the > bird nest through the entrance hole of a bluebird box. Followed by a shot of > a House Cat on the roof of a nestbox looking into the entrance hole. Follow > these with shots of bird eggs and nestlings....then snakes, spiders, frogs, > toads, wasps, bees ETC. > > Anyway back to bats which we seldom find in a nestbox there is another good > article about bats in the Boston Globe > http://www.boston.com/bostonglobe/magazine/articles/2009/11/15/whats_killing_the_bats/?page=1 > It tells that our government has allocated just less than 2 million $ for > this year. That is less than 2 cents for every person paying taxes. All to > try to find out for sure why 90% of the bats are dying in the Northeast USA. > > On the OTHER hand our Texas Highway Department has begun construction of a > "Highway Loop" around Mt. Pleasant with a population of just 19,000 people. > Texas and the Federal government have allocated $160 MILLION and our city > and county will put up another $40 million IF the whole project comes in at > budget!!! Anyway every taxpayer in the USA donated a $1 for our new highway > loop. Thanks go to all of you:-)) > > EVERY mile of this loop will take out prime wildlife habitat. I have already > lost 6 nestboxes in just the first half mile of road widening!! Nine > Southern Flying Squirrels had to move from one nestbox and we lost three of > these boxes that have had bluebirds nesting in them for more than 20 years. > Well only one nestbox is actually 20 years old the other locations the boxes > have been replaced at least once. During the construction of the FIRST 1/4 > of the loop I will lose more than 12 miles of bluebird trail that has > constantly been producing bluebirds since 1975.... ALL of my original > bluebird trails begun in the late 1960's were wiped out with our local strip > mining for coal as they gobbled up 80,000 acres beginning in the 1970's.. > Another 10,000 acres of bluebird habitat in our county were flooded to > provide cooling water for the coal fired power plants....All since the > 1970's. > > Pretty hard to go out and give wildlife programs and be up beat and positive > about the future of the wildlife here on Planet Earth. KK > > > *********************** > To stop receiving messages from this list, send an e-mail message > bluebird-L-request AT cornell.edu > The body of the message is simply > leave > > More info on leaving e-lists: http://www.cit.cornell.edu/computer/elist/lyris/leave-more.html _________________________________________________________________ Bing brings you maps, menus, and reviews organized in one place. http://www.bing.com/search?q=restaurants&form=MFESRP&publ=WLHMTAG&crea=TEXT_MFESRP_Local_MapsMenu_Resturants_1x1 *********************** To stop receiving messages from this list, send an e-mail message bluebird-L-request AT cornell.edu The body of the message is simply leave More info on leaving e-lists: http://www.cit.cornell.edu/computer/elist/lyris/leave-more.html Subject: RE: BB's Back?! From: Duane Rice <drbirdsong4 AT hotmail.com> Date: Tue, 17 Nov 2009 11:00:57 -0600 Bluefolk across North America, I would like to propose, to those out there who would like to participate, doing an unofficial, off season, bluebird count, of some sort. Since, in most locales, they don't actually migrate, but instead, change their habits, habitat and diet, so we don't see them as regularly as we're accustomed to, it would mean, participants would have to go out and actually seek the bluebirds out, in their natural enviornment, insead of waiting for them to show up at your feeding station, birdbath, etc., although those birds that do, should be counted as well. I think it would be interesting to see what the results of such a count would be. What do ya'll think? IF you're interested, we should set a date, and give criteria for counting. Make note of where they were seen, what they were doing,eating,etc. I'm just throwing it out there. Whether it sticks or slides is up to ya'll. dr > From: linyl AT windstream.net > To: candacebickel AT yahoo.com; Bluebird-L AT list.cornell.edu > Subject: RE: BB's Back?! > Date: Mon, 16 Nov 2009 22:47:22 -0500 > > > I saw them today also. Nice warm weather here. > Linda in NW GA > > > > > > -----Original Message----- > From: bounce-4590252-9482887 AT list.cornell.edu > [mailto:bounce-4590252-9482887 AT list.cornell.edu] On Behalf Of Candace Bickel > Sent: Monday, November 16, 2009 4:03 PM > To: Bluebird-L AT list.cornell.edu > Subject: BB's Back?! > > > I wanted to share my thrill of seeing several bluebirds with family members > splashing in our birdbath a few minutes ago. It's been a number of weeks > since I've seen any of them...Our weather has been a mixture of pouring > rain..then several beautiful days of 70 plus degrees. In my walks to the > lake, most of the birds seem to be hiding in the pines and bushes. We have > chickadees, cardinals, titmice, carolina wrens, that have stuck around the > seed feeder and bushes in our yard, but no BB's evident. The first of a pair > of Junco's came early last week...another great event was seeing an America > Goldfinch right along with the BB's. He was bright yellow and interested in > the new thistle feeder? The BB's came to my mealie feeder when I whistled, > so mom and dad must have been in the mix.. Great ending to my day! > Candace..Lake Wylie, SC > > > > > > *********************** > To stop receiving messages from this list, send an e-mail message > bluebird-L-request AT cornell.edu > The body of the message is simply > leave > > More info on leaving e-lists: > http://www.cit.cornell.edu/computer/elist/lyris/leave-more.html > > > *********************** > To stop receiving messages from this list, send an e-mail message > bluebird-L-request AT cornell.edu > The body of the message is simply > leave > > More info on leaving e-lists: http://www.cit.cornell.edu/computer/elist/lyris/leave-more.html _________________________________________________________________ Windows 7: I wanted simpler, now it's simpler. I'm a rock star. http://www.microsoft.com/Windows/windows-7/default.aspx?h=myidea?ocid=PID24727::T:WLMTAGL:ON:WL:en-US:WWL_WIN_myidea:112009 *********************** To stop receiving messages from this list, send an e-mail message bluebird-L-request AT cornell.edu The body of the message is simply leave More info on leaving e-lists: http://www.cit.cornell.edu/computer/elist/lyris/leave-more.html Subject: Fw: Bird Feathers "Sing" From: "Bob Walshaw" <walshaw1 AT cox.net> Date: Tue, 17 Nov 2009 10:46:37 -0600 No one answered my question on this so I am forwarding it. WOW! I have never seen it before! Bob Walshaw, NE OK. ----- Original Message ----- From: Cissy Walshaw To: Robert Walshaw Sent: Saturday, November 14, 2009 7:29 PM Subject: Bird Feathers "Sing" I think you may have already read this article, but I didn't know if you had seen the video. Pretty amazing stuff!!! http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2009/11/091111-bird-feathers-sing-video.html *********************** To stop receiving messages from this list, send an e-mail message bluebird-L-request AT cornell.edu The body of the message is simply leave More info on leaving e-lists: http://www.cit.cornell.edu/computer/elist/lyris/leave-more.html Subject: RE: Question for southern Bluebirders From: Duane Rice <drbirdsong4 AT hotmail.com> Date: Tue, 17 Nov 2009 10:40:54 -0600 Duane Rice West Central Tennessee Cloudy, cool, damp52 degrees Bob, Although I do not live near the Smokies, part of my trail was plagued by some sort of red squirrel this year. I only saw one on one occasion, but "Winky" Albright, the property owner said he saw several on different occasions. I believe he told me he shot and killed 4, over the course of spring/summer 2009. I do know, the number of bluebirds fledged, was down drastically from previous years, on this part of the trail. Of course, our plan for 2010, is to relocate those boxes to the opposite side of Albright Rd., making it necessary for the squirrels to cross (no power line crossing) Albright Rd. to get to the boxes. Also worth mentioning:There is a Red-tailed Hawk nest within plain sight of this part of the trail, which has been very active, in the last few years. I thought it very strange, the squirrels would be so bold, in such a dangerous place. This is why I attributed the losses on this part of the trail, to causes:unknown. Respectfully, Duane Rice > From: walshaw1 AT cox.net > To: BLUEBIRD-L AT cornell.edu > Subject: Question for southern Bluebirders > Date: Mon, 16 Nov 2009 18:35:14 -0600 > > I was reading about the "Mountain Boomer" referred to > in books and articles about the Smoky Mountains by > George Ellison and John Paris. It is a small very quick > southern Red squirrel. Is this the one that gives you a > problem with your Bluebirds? Bob Walshaw, NE OK. > > *********************** > To stop receiving messages from this list, send an e-mail message > bluebird-L-request AT cornell.edu > The body of the message is simply > leave > > More info on leaving e-lists: http://www.cit.cornell.edu/computer/elist/lyris/leave-more.html _________________________________________________________________ Hotmail: Trusted email with powerful SPAM protection. http://clk.atdmt.com/GBL/go/177141665/direct/01/ *********************** To stop receiving messages from this list, send an e-mail message bluebird-L-request AT cornell.edu The body of the message is simply leave More info on leaving e-lists: http://www.cit.cornell.edu/computer/elist/lyris/leave-more.html Subject: 4-H Meeting From: "Keith Kridler" <txbluebirder AT suddenlink.net> Date: Tue, 17 Nov 2009 07:21:53 -0600 Keith Kridler Mt. Pleasant, Texas A huge thunderstorm system ripped through North Texas Sunday night. Severe winds from the west ripped the last of the leaves from trees, blew down trees and ripped shingles from roof tops but it only dumped 1/2" of rainfall on the walls of several thousand bluebird nestboxes in our area. Last night at 5 PM we were nailing down felt roofing paper on a house 20 miles north of Mt. Pleasant and I had a 4-H youth program scheduled to start at 6 PM! This was the THIRD house roof we had made temporary repairs on in just one day and we saw flocks of bluebirds EVERYWHERE along the 80 miles of roads we criss crossed. All three of these properties we worked on had five or more bluebird nestboxes up around their property and the last one has up more than 12 nestboxes around their house and 40 acres. They have "more" bluebird nestboxes on their other "farms" or cattle pastures. The 4-H program started on time:-)) thanks to Sandy having computer, projector, cords ETC. in the car and clean clothes laying out on the back porch:-)) There were 27 children and adults present with a few more coming in during the program. A little more than half of the families have up bluebird nestboxes. We tentatively scheduled another program where I will donate nestbox kits and they will all get to build a new nestbox by spring. Pretty rare for me locally to only have HALF of those present with nestboxes in their yards. I forgot to ask how many live inside the city. Mostly 12 year old children or younger in this group. Nearly all of those present have seen nests of bluebirds. More than HALF of those present have recently seen Flying Squirrels. FOUR of then have kept some as pets! (I personally NEVER saw a Flying Squirrel in a nestbox during the first FIFTEEN years of checking nest boxes!!) I was nine years old when I saw my FIRST bluebird! This was more a wildlife program than a bluebird program, where I have those present shout out what they think I want them to see in each of the 60 plus photos. After the shot of a Full Moon rising, I ask what animals come out after dark? The most popular answer is ALWAYS "Bats". I am WAITING for them to call out Raccoon......Then pop up a picture of a raccoon pulling out the bird nest through the entrance hole of a bluebird box. Followed by a shot of a House Cat on the roof of a nestbox looking into the entrance hole. Follow these with shots of bird eggs and nestlings....then snakes, spiders, frogs, toads, wasps, bees ETC. Anyway back to bats which we seldom find in a nestbox there is another good article about bats in the Boston Globe http://www.boston.com/bostonglobe/magazine/articles/2009/11/15/whats_killing_the_bats/?page=1 It tells that our government has allocated just less than 2 million $ for this year. That is less than 2 cents for every person paying taxes. All to try to find out for sure why 90% of the bats are dying in the Northeast USA. On the OTHER hand our Texas Highway Department has begun construction of a "Highway Loop" around Mt. Pleasant with a population of just 19,000 people. Texas and the Federal government have allocated $160 MILLION and our city and county will put up another $40 million IF the whole project comes in at budget!!! Anyway every taxpayer in the USA donated a $1 for our new highway loop. Thanks go to all of you:-)) EVERY mile of this loop will take out prime wildlife habitat. I have already lost 6 nestboxes in just the first half mile of road widening!! Nine Southern Flying Squirrels had to move from one nestbox and we lost three of these boxes that have had bluebirds nesting in them for more than 20 years. Well only one nestbox is actually 20 years old the other locations the boxes have been replaced at least once. During the construction of the FIRST 1/4 of the loop I will lose more than 12 miles of bluebird trail that has constantly been producing bluebirds since 1975.... ALL of my original bluebird trails begun in the late 1960's were wiped out with our local strip mining for coal as they gobbled up 80,000 acres beginning in the 1970's.. Another 10,000 acres of bluebird habitat in our county were flooded to provide cooling water for the coal fired power plants....All since the 1970's. Pretty hard to go out and give wildlife programs and be up beat and positive about the future of the wildlife here on Planet Earth. KK *********************** To stop receiving messages from this list, send an e-mail message bluebird-L-request AT cornell.edu The body of the message is simply leave More info on leaving e-lists: http://www.cit.cornell.edu/computer/elist/lyris/leave-more.html Subject: Re: BB's Back?! From: Paulette Cothern <cothern AT bellsouth.net> Date: Mon, 16 Nov 2009 19:54:45 -0800 (PST) I too had bluebirds in my birdbath on Sunday.  I was surprised to see 5 or 6 of them in the back yard perched on my bluebird boxes and on metal posts in the field when I took a walk.  It was a beautiful day-- sunny and about 72. Paulette N. Mid. TN ________________________________ From: linyl To: Candace Bickel ; Bluebird-L AT list.cornell.edu Sent: Mon, November 16, 2009 9:47:22 PM Subject: RE: BB's Back?! I saw them today also.  Nice warm weather here. Linda in NW GA -----Original Message----- From: bounce-4590252-9482887 AT list.cornell.edu [mailto:bounce-4590252-9482887 AT list.cornell.edu] On Behalf Of Candace Bickel Sent: Monday, November 16, 2009 4:03 PM To: Bluebird-L AT list.cornell.edu Subject: BB's Back?! I wanted to share my thrill of seeing several bluebirds with family members splashing in our birdbath a few minutes ago.  It's been a number of weeks since I've seen any of them...Our weather has been a mixture of pouring rain..then several beautiful days of 70 plus degrees. In my walks to the lake, most of the birds seem to be hiding in the pines and bushes. We have chickadees, cardinals, titmice, carolina wrens, that have stuck around the seed feeder and bushes in our yard, but no BB's evident. The first of a pair of Junco's came early last week...another great event was seeing an America Goldfinch right along with the BB's.  He was bright yellow and interested in the new thistle feeder? The BB's came to my mealie feeder when I whistled, so mom and dad must have been in the mix.. Great ending to my day! Candace..Lake Wylie, SC       *********************** To stop receiving messages from this list, send an e-mail message bluebird-L-request AT cornell.edu The body of the message is simply     leave More info on leaving e-lists: http://www.cit.cornell.edu/computer/elist/lyris/leave-more.html *********************** To stop receiving messages from this list, send an e-mail message bluebird-L-request AT cornell.edu The body of the message is simply     leave More info on leaving e-lists: http://www.cit.cornell.edu/computer/elist/lyris/leave-more.html *********************** To stop receiving messages from this list, send an e-mail message bluebird-L-request AT cornell.edu The body of the message is simply leave More info on leaving e-lists: http://www.cit.cornell.edu/computer/elist/lyris/leave-more.html Subject: RE: BB's Back?! From: "linyl" <linyl AT windstream.net> Date: Mon, 16 Nov 2009 22:47:22 -0500 I saw them today also. Nice warm weather here. Linda in NW GA -----Original Message----- From: bounce-4590252-9482887 AT list.cornell.edu [mailto:bounce-4590252-9482887 AT list.cornell.edu] On Behalf Of Candace Bickel Sent: Monday, November 16, 2009 4:03 PM To: Bluebird-L AT list.cornell.edu Subject: BB's Back?! I wanted to share my thrill of seeing several bluebirds with family members splashing in our birdbath a few minutes ago.  It's been a number of weeks since I've seen any of them...Our weather has been a mixture of pouring rain..then several beautiful days of 70 plus degrees. In my walks to the lake, most of the birds seem to be hiding in the pines and bushes. We have chickadees, cardinals, titmice, carolina wrens, that have stuck around the seed feeder and bushes in our yard, but no BB's evident. The first of a pair of Junco's came early last week...another great event was seeing an America Goldfinch right along with the BB's.  He was bright yellow and interested in the new thistle feeder? The BB's came to my mealie feeder when I whistled, so mom and dad must have been in the mix.. Great ending to my day! Candace..Lake Wylie, SC *********************** To stop receiving messages from this list, send an e-mail message bluebird-L-request AT cornell.edu The body of the message is simply leave More info on leaving e-lists: http://www.cit.cornell.edu/computer/elist/lyris/leave-more.html *********************** To stop receiving messages from this list, send an e-mail message bluebird-L-request AT cornell.edu The body of the message is simply leave More info on leaving e-lists: http://www.cit.cornell.edu/computer/elist/lyris/leave-more.html Subject: Question for southern Bluebirders From: "Bob Walshaw" <walshaw1 AT cox.net> Date: Mon, 16 Nov 2009 18:35:14 -0600 I was reading about the "Mountain Boomer" referred to in books and articles about the Smoky Mountains by George Ellison and John Paris. It is a small very quick southern Red squirrel. Is this the one that gives you a problem with your Bluebirds? Bob Walshaw, NE OK. *********************** To stop receiving messages from this list, send an e-mail message bluebird-L-request AT cornell.edu The body of the message is simply leave More info on leaving e-lists: http://www.cit.cornell.edu/computer/elist/lyris/leave-more.html Subject: Re: BB's Back?! From: Judith Mangiero <judith.mangiero AT comcast.net> Date: Mon, 16 Nov 2009 19:24:57 -0500 Wonderful and joyful news, Candace! All is right with world when the Blues are a part of it. Judith Cranbury, NJ Sent from my iPhone On Nov 16, 2009, at 4:02 PM, Candace Bickel wrote: > I wanted to share my thrill of seeing several bluebirds with family > members splashing in our birdbath a few minutes ago. It's been a > number of weeks since I've seen any of them...Our weather has been a > mixture of pouring rain..then several beautiful days of 70 plus > degrees. > In my walks to the lake, most of the birds seem to be hiding in the > pines and bushes. We have chickadees, cardinals, titmice, carolina > wrens, that have stuck around the seed feeder and bushes in our > yard, but no BB's evident. The first of a pair of Junco's came early > last week...another great event was seeing an America Goldfinch > right along with the BB's. He was bright yellow and interested in > the new thistle feeder? > The BB's came to my mealie feeder when I whistled, so mom and dad > must have been in the mix.. > Great ending to my day! > Candace..Lake Wylie, SC > > > > > > *********************** > To stop receiving messages from this list, send an e-mail message > bluebird-L-request AT cornell.edu > The body of the message is simply > leave > > More info on leaving e-lists: http://www.cit.cornell.edu/computer/elist/lyris/leave-more.html *********************** To stop receiving messages from this list, send an e-mail message bluebird-L-request AT cornell.edu The body of the message is simply leave More info on leaving e-lists: http://www.cit.cornell.edu/computer/elist/lyris/leave-more.html Subject: RE: OT cleaning cement bird baths From: "Dottie" <yumyumkatts AT voyager.net> Date: Mon, 16 Nov 2009 15:58:53 -0500 I put just a tiny drop of bleach in the birdbath water. It helps a lot. Dottie, Hickory Hollow   Brown County, Indiana      (50 miles south of Indianapolis) Lat: 39.371N  Lon: 86.261W  Zone 5  Elevation:  680 ft -----Original Message----- From: bounce-4582902-3587711 AT list.cornell.edu [mailto:bounce-4582902-3587711 AT list.cornell.edu] On Behalf Of Brucemac1 AT aol.com Sent: Sunday, November 15, 2009 1:18 PM To: vfoltz AT verizon.net Cc: bluebird-l AT cornell.edu; birders AT umich.edu Subject: Re: OT cleaning cement bird baths Hey Vicky...   I don't know what others use, but I'd recommend household bleach. I pour the bleach into a dry bath-bowl. Then I use a scrub brush to spread the bleach around and clean out the detritus. Rinse clean and store for the winter. For the painted deco models, you may want to try a little Fantastic. Straight bleach my be too tough for the paint finish. During the season, I use 'Chlorox Clean-Up' regularly. It is a diluted form of bleach and the chlorine is an effective disinfectant. Maybe twice weekly, I'll simply spray a couple squirts of Chlorox Clean-Up onto the surface of the water in the birdbath. "JUST A COUPLE SQUIRTS...!!" Don't overdo it. You'll be able to detect the chlorine odor for 20 or 30 minutes. Chlorine dissipates quickly, especially in the sunlight.  It does wonders in keeping the water clear and inhibits growth of algae, etc. The birdbath doesn't become as fouled up so it's much easier to maintain.   Bruce Macdonald, Harrow, Ontario,  N shore of Lake Erie, 26 miles south of Detroit/Windsor     In a message dated 11/15/2009 11:54:30 A.M. Eastern Standard Time, vfoltz AT verizon.net writes: Hello everyone, I have several cement bird baths that need cleaning and putting up for the winter (I have a heated one I use during the winter months). I am wondering what is safe to use to scrub these?  Two of the the three I purchased at art fairs and they have painted surfaces.  The other is the plain old fashioned kind. Any suggestions would be much appreciated! Vicky Foltz Ft. Wayne IN *********************** To stop receiving messages from this list, send an e-mail message bluebird-L-request AT cornell.edu The body of the message is simply      leave More info on leaving e-lists: http://www.cit.cornell.edu/computer/elist/lyris/leave-more.html *********************** To stop receiving messages from this list, send an e-mail message bluebird-L-request AT cornell.edu The body of the message is simply leave More info on leaving e-lists: http://www.cit.cornell.edu/computer/elist/lyris/leave-more.html Subject: BB's Back?! From: Candace Bickel <candacebickel AT yahoo.com> Date: Mon, 16 Nov 2009 13:02:52 -0800 (PST) I wanted to share my thrill of seeing several bluebirds with family members splashing in our birdbath a few minutes ago.  It's been a number of weeks since I've seen any of them...Our weather has been a mixture of pouring rain..then several beautiful days of 70 plus degrees. In my walks to the lake, most of the birds seem to be hiding in the pines and bushes. We have chickadees, cardinals, titmice, carolina wrens, that have stuck around the seed feeder and bushes in our yard, but no BB's evident. The first of a pair of Junco's came early last week...another great event was seeing an America Goldfinch right along with the BB's.  He was bright yellow and interested in the new thistle feeder? The BB's came to my mealie feeder when I whistled, so mom and dad must have been in the mix.. Great ending to my day! Candace..Lake Wylie, SC *********************** To stop receiving messages from this list, send an e-mail message bluebird-L-request AT cornell.edu The body of the message is simply leave More info on leaving e-lists: http://www.cit.cornell.edu/computer/elist/lyris/leave-more.html Subject: Re: now Relocating animals From: "Bob Walshaw" <walshaw1 AT cox.net> Date: Sun, 15 Nov 2009 18:39:20 -0600 Thank you Keith. I am a Master Naturalist, a retired Nuisance Animal Control Operator, a fur trapper for the last 70 years and a Bluebirder, and I have much difficulty getting this information across to people. When I was doing animal control work I would refuse contracts where people insisted that animals be relocated. Especially in the case of Raccoons I have often caught animals that had obviously been attacked or were near starvation, especially in cold weather. Bob Walshaw, NE OK. ----- Original Message ----- From: Keith Kridler To: shel AT shel.net ; Bluebird List Sent: Sunday, November 15, 2009 7:03 AM Subject: now Relocating animals Keith Kridler Mt. Pleasant, Texas In nearly all 48 states it is illegal to trap raccoons and or skunks and transport them to another piece of property and release them since they are "rabies vector" animals or common carriers of disease. Below is a link to one page of an on line wildlife manual sponsored or created by Cornell University. http://nwco.net/08-AppendixBNuisanceSpecies/8-09-Raccoons.asp The short answer is that NO there really is NOT any more good habitat left where we can trap and relocate nuisance animals. I Copied the paragraph below from the above page on Raccoons: Distribution in NY and the Northeast: Everywhere. Can reach densities of 30-40 raccoons/sq. mile in rural areas, 100+ raccoons/sq. mile in urban areas. This is just one species that has adapted well to man and his scrap foods to reach higher densities. The older, weaker or sick animals get pushed out of the safer dens and feeding areas. The largest cause of death is by starvation in winter in the northeastern states. Take bears for example. The entire state of Ohio the last time I checked only has habitat for 45 individuals. As more bears come into the state or the resident bears breed and multiply they have to compete with humans and Fish and Wildlife personnel issue permits or monitor hunts or kill off the excess bears each year to keep them to this number. Populations of small wild animals fluctuate wildly due to disease and food and weather conditions but even House Sparrow numbers and our bluebird numbers remain overall relatively constant. All wild creatures need to be skilled enough to find food, water and shelter. Trapping and relocating a wild animal would be very stressful. VERY similar to taking a teenager out of high school in the USA. Stripping them of all identification and money then dropping them off in a large city in a foreign country where they have to learn how to find a place to sleep, get a job and earn a living all before they starve to death....This would be difficult for any of us without the help of friends and family and familiar surroundings. KK *********************** To stop receiving messages from this list, send an e-mail message bluebird-L-request AT cornell.edu The body of the message is simply leave More info on leaving e-lists: http://www.cit.cornell.edu/computer/elist/lyris/leave-more.html Subject: Re: OT cleaning cement bird baths From: Brucemac1 AT aol.com Date: Sun, 15 Nov 2009 13:18:13 EST Hey Vicky... I don't know what others use, but I'd recommend household bleach. I pour the bleach into a dry bath-bowl. Then I use a scrub brush to spread the bleach around and clean out the detritus. Rinse clean and store for the winter. For the painted deco models, you may want to try a little Fantastic. Straight bleach my be too tough for the paint finish. During the season, I use 'Chlorox Clean-Up' regularly. It is a diluted form of bleach and the chlorine is an effective disinfectant. Maybe twice weekly, I'll simply spray a couple squirts of Chlorox Clean-Up onto the surface of the water in the birdbath. "JUST A COUPLE SQUIRTS...!!" Don't overdo it. You'll be able to detect the chlorine odor for 20 or 30 minutes. Chlorine dissipates quickly, especially in the sunlight. It does wonders in keeping the water clear and inhibits growth of algae, etc. The birdbath doesn't become as fouled up so it's much easier to maintain. Bruce Macdonald, Harrow, Ontario, N shore of Lake Erie, 26 miles south of Detroit/Windsor In a message dated 11/15/2009 11:54:30 A.M. Eastern Standard Time, vfoltz AT verizon.net writes: Hello everyone, I have several cement bird baths that need cleaning and putting up for the winter (I have a heated one I use during the winter months). I am wondering what is safe to use to scrub these? Two of the the three I purchased at art fairs and they have painted surfaces. The other is the plain old fashioned kind. Any suggestions would be much appreciated! Vicky Foltz Ft. Wayne IN *********************** To stop receiving messages from this list, send an e-mail message bluebird-L-request AT cornell.edu The body of the message is simply leave More info on leaving e-lists: http://www.cit.cornell.edu/computer/elist/lyris/leave-more.html *********************** To stop receiving messages from this list, send an e-mail message bluebird-L-request AT cornell.edu The body of the message is simply leave More info on leaving e-lists: http://www.cit.cornell.edu/computer/elist/lyris/leave-more.html Subject: now Relocating animals From: "Keith Kridler" <txbluebirder AT suddenlink.net> Date: Sun, 15 Nov 2009 07:03:16 -0600 Keith Kridler Mt. Pleasant, Texas In nearly all 48 states it is illegal to trap raccoons and or skunks and transport them to another piece of property and release them since they are "rabies vector" animals or common carriers of disease. Below is a link to one page of an on line wildlife manual sponsored or created by Cornell University. http://nwco.net/08-AppendixBNuisanceSpecies/8-09-Raccoons.asp The short answer is that NO there really is NOT any more good habitat left where we can trap and relocate nuisance animals. I Copied the paragraph below from the above page on Raccoons: Distribution in NY and the Northeast: Everywhere. Can reach densities of 30-40 raccoons/sq. mile in rural areas, 100+ raccoons/sq. mile in urban areas. This is just one species that has adapted well to man and his scrap foods to reach higher densities. The older, weaker or sick animals get pushed out of the safer dens and feeding areas. The largest cause of death is by starvation in winter in the northeastern states. Take bears for example. The entire state of Ohio the last time I checked only has habitat for 45 individuals. As more bears come into the state or the resident bears breed and multiply they have to compete with humans and Fish and Wildlife personnel issue permits or monitor hunts or kill off the excess bears each year to keep them to this number. Populations of small wild animals fluctuate wildly due to disease and food and weather conditions but even House Sparrow numbers and our bluebird numbers remain overall relatively constant. All wild creatures need to be skilled enough to find food, water and shelter. Trapping and relocating a wild animal would be very stressful. VERY similar to taking a teenager out of high school in the USA. Stripping them of all identification and money then dropping them off in a large city in a foreign country where they have to learn how to find a place to sleep, get a job and earn a living all before they starve to death....This would be difficult for any of us without the help of friends and family and familiar surroundings. KK *********************** To stop receiving messages from this list, send an e-mail message bluebird-L-request AT cornell.edu The body of the message is simply leave More info on leaving e-lists: http://www.cit.cornell.edu/computer/elist/lyris/leave-more.html Subject: Re: Homemade Suet From: "shel AT shel.net" <shel@shel.net> Date: Sun, 15 Nov 2009 00:57:45 -0500 Subject: Re: suet From: "Bob Walshaw" <walshaw1 AT cox.net> Date: Sat, 14 Nov 2009 22:49:51 -0600 I agree. The suet cakes here are about a buck apiece. I put them all year in a cage for the Woodpeckers and other birds, and crumble them inside a Bluebird feeder for the Bluebirds. Bob Walshaw, NE OK. ----- Original Message ----- From: Lynn To: BLUEBIRD-L Sent: Saturday, November 14, 2009 7:36 PM Subject: Re: suet Many time I put out raw suet for the birds and they never touched it. For year I had made my own suet cakes. The suet cost at the supermarket was 18 cents a pound, then gradually went up to 89 cents a pound. I looked for other sources and found a butcher at the farmers market who gave me about 50 pounds for free. I put about 40 pounds in the freezer. I ran the rest through a meat grinder and cooked it down in a large double boiler, and when cool, heated it again. I mixed in some bird seed, some berries, dried bread crumbs and anything else I could find that the birds would eat. I had a large stack of dishes from small heat and eat meals which I filled and froze. The fit perfectly in the suet cages. This was a easy job and if I could find the suet I would still do it this way. They never melted during the summer and never lasted long enough to spoil. I found a few pieces of raw suet in the freezer the other day and put it in the suet cage - no takers at all. Since the price of suet went that high, I now buy the ready made suet cakes and they disappear real fast. I buy them by the dozen and the price is less the a dollar each, but I don't have the messy stuff to contend with. L:ynn near Bernville PA. Joanne McIlhattan wrote: The exchange and education about the fat we are feeding the birds is interesting. My opinion is if it isn't straight off the hoof don't call it suet. Any mixture could be called "The Recipe" or 'Bird Snack'. Joanne Jeannette, PA *********************** To stop receiving messages from this list, send an e-mail message bluebird-L-request AT cornell.edu The body of the message is simply leave More info on leaving e-lists: http://www.cit.cornell.edu/computer/elist/lyris/leave-more.html Subject: Wing singing by birds From: "Bob Walshaw" <walshaw1 AT cox.net> Date: Sat, 14 Nov 2009 22:53:38 -0600 Have any of you seen the video of this by the Cornell Lab? I have it in an email, but I understand that we are not to send attachments. Bob Walshaw, NE OK. *********************** To stop receiving messages from this list, send an e-mail message bluebird-L-request AT cornell.edu The body of the message is simply leave More info on leaving e-lists: http://www.cit.cornell.edu/computer/elist/lyris/leave-more.html Subject: Re: Homemade Suet From: "Bob Walshaw" <walshaw1 AT cox.net> Date: Sat, 14 Nov 2009 22:43:10 -0600 I guess that means that you relocated them. Most people don't realize that is usually very bad for the relocated animal. Usually there is a dominant animal in the new area and the relocated animal will either be killed or starve. Bob Walshaw, NE OK. ----- Original Message ----- From: "Dottie" To: "'Bob Walshaw'" ; "'Christine '" ; "'Keith Kridler'" ; "'Bluebird-L'" Sent: Saturday, November 14, 2009 7:02 PM Subject: RE: Homemade Suet We've trapped two raccoons so far in the last month. They are now residents of the park. Dottie, Hickory Hollow Brown County, Indiana (50 miles south of Indianapolis) Lat: 39.371N Lon: 86.261W Zone 5 Elevation: 680 ft -----Original Message----- From: bounce-4575722-3587711 AT list.cornell.edu [mailto:bounce-4575722-3587711 AT list.cornell.edu] On Behalf Of Bob Walshaw Sent: Saturday, November 14, 2009 10:48 AM To: Christine ; Keith Kridler; Bluebird-L Subject: Re: Homemade Suet Raccoons like Striped Skunks can be a serious problem around your home in addition to getting bird food and tearing up feeders. Both often carry rabies and if they bite your cat or dog (or even family members!) this can be serious. It is better to trap and eliminate them or have a wildlife control operator do this, and this has to be done on a regular schedule like controlling termites, etc. Nature abhors a vacuum and others will move in when the existing ones are removed. Bob Walshaw, NE OK. ----- Original Message ----- From: Christine To: Keith Kridler ; Bluebird-L Sent: Saturday, November 14, 2009 8:57 AM Subject: Re: Homemade Suet Thanks for this, Keith. This makes perfect sense that homemade hummingbird nectar is made from table sugar. The recipes do not call for a large amount of sugar in the recipes. Adding dried fruits like cut up raisins or cranberries and peanut butter also adds energy fuel for birds in the winter. Most peanut butters have processed sugar in them. I only put our suet in the winter since we have plenty of berries. Bluebird suets cam be made to crumbled and put on platform feeders so that they can easily get the bits of suets with their softer beaks. Am I correct on that? I have never made suets before but I may start just for the fun of it. Bet's Sialis.org site has many different suet recipes to choose from good for bluebirds and cavity nesters. I do not put too many seeds feeders and suets out because I have to take them down every night due to raccoon raids from our nearby woods surrounding the house. It's worth it so I can enjoy watching the birds during the day. Christine, Woolwine, VA _____________ Christine ...in Southwest Virginia From: "Keith Kridler" Date: Sat, 14 Nov 2009 07:24:31 -0600 To: Susan Simko; Subject: Re: Homemade Suet Keith Kridler Mt. Pleasant, Texas One of the reasons we use so much sugar in processed foods is because the Sucrose inhibits some dangerous strains of bacteria growth and thus is used as a food preservative. Of course there are other strains of bacteria or molds or mildews that will feed on sugar. Sugar, processed or in raw forms is still a pure carbohydrate and thus is a quick form of energy for any of the creatures who eat this. It has a high calorie content in a small weight to energy ratio. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sucrose Natural forms of sugar that birds would be drinking would be nectar from flowers. Also tree sap from many different species have high sugar contents and not just the Sugar Maple. Many fruits and berries also have a high sugar content. Dried fruits like raisins concentrate the sugars during the dehydration process. Corn and MANY grains or weed seeds will be high in carbohydrates or sugars also. KK *********************** To stop receiving messages from this list, send an e-mail message bluebird-L-request AT cornell.edu The body of the message is simply leave More info on leaving e-lists: http://www.cit.cornell.edu/computer/elist/lyris/leave-more.html Subject: RE: suet From: "Dottie" <yumyumkatts AT voyager.net> Date: Sat, 14 Nov 2009 20:54:36 -0500 The birds here love the Gourmet Bird Delight but they love the real suet the best. I usually put a block of the real suet in the feeder tray along with the GBD. Dottie, Hickory Hollow   Brown County, Indiana      (50 miles south of Indianapolis) Lat: 39.371N  Lon: 86.261W  Zone 5  Elevation:  680 ft -----Original Message----- From: bounce-4576771-3587711 AT list.cornell.edu [mailto:bounce-4576771-3587711 AT list.cornell.edu] On Behalf Of Lynn Sent: Saturday, November 14, 2009 8:36 PM To: BLUEBIRD-L Subject: Re: suet Many time I put out raw suet for the birds and they never touched it.  For year  I had made my own suet cakes.  The suet cost at the supermarket was 18 cents a pound, then gradually went up to 89 cents a pound.  I looked for other sources and found a butcher at the farmers market who gave me about 50 pounds for free.  I put about 40 pounds in the freezer.  I ran the rest through a meat grinder and cooked it down in a large double boiler, and when cool, heated it again.  I mixed in some bird seed, some berries, dried bread crumbs and anything else I could find that the birds would eat.  I had a large stack of dishes from small heat and eat meals which I filled and froze.  The fit perfectly in the suet cages.  This was a easy job and if I could find the suet I would still do it this way.  They never melted during the summer and never lasted long enough to spoil. I found a few pieces of raw suet in the freezer the other day and put it in the suet cage - no takers at all. Since the price of suet went that high, I now buy the ready made suet cakes and they disappear real fast.   I buy them by the dozen and the price is less the a dollar each, but I don't have the messy stuff to contend with. L:ynn near Bernville PA. Joanne McIlhattan wrote: The exchange and education about the fat we are feeding the birds is interesting.  My opinion is if it isn't straight off the hoof don't call it suet.  Any mixture could be called "The Recipe" or 'Bird Snack'.  Joanne  Jeannette, PA *********************** To stop receiving messages from this list, send an e-mail message bluebird-L-request AT cornell.edu The body of the message is simply leave More info on leaving e-lists: http://www.cit.cornell.edu/computer/elist/lyris/leave-more.html Subject: RE: $29.00 ! From: "Dottie" <yumyumkatts AT voyager.net> Date: Sat, 14 Nov 2009 20:52:30 -0500 I usually have to pay around $1 per #. In years past, the butcher would give it to you for free for the birds. Dottie, Hickory Hollow   Brown County, Indiana      (50 miles south of Indianapolis) Lat: 39.371N  Lon: 86.261W  Zone 5  Elevation:  680 ft -----Original Message----- From: bounce-4576660-3587711 AT list.cornell.edu [mailto:bounce-4576660-3587711 AT list.cornell.edu] On Behalf Of Bruce Burdett Sent: Saturday, November 14, 2009 7:22 PM To: Joanne McIlhattan; BLUEBIRD-L Subject: Re: $29.00 ! I just saw an ad on the Internet for a company that sells genuine raw suet. The smallest package was 3 lbs, and it cost about $29.00 ! ! ! Shocking! Highway robbery! At our supermarket, it's about 1/10 as much.   Bruce Burdett  ----- Original Message ----- From: Joanne McIlhattan To: BLUEBIRD-L Sent: Saturday, November 14, 2009 3:51 PM Subject: RE: suet The exchange and education about the fat we are feeding the birds is interesting.  My opinion is if it isn't straight off the hoof don't call it suet.  Any mixture could be called "The Recipe" or 'Bird Snack'.  Joanne  Jeannette, PA *********************** To stop receiving messages from this list, send an e-mail message bluebird-L-request AT cornell.edu The body of the message is simply leave More info on leaving e-lists: http://www.cit.cornell.edu/computer/elist/lyris/leave-more.html Subject: Re: suet From: Lynn <lemerich AT epix.net> Date: Sat, 14 Nov 2009 20:36:13 -0500 Many time I put out raw suet for the birds and they never touched it. For year I had made my own suet cakes. The suet cost at the supermarket was 18 cents a pound, then gradually went up to 89 cents a pound. I looked for other sources and found a butcher at the farmers market who gave me about 50 pounds for free. I put about 40 pounds in the freezer. I ran the rest through a meat grinder and cooked it down in a large double boiler, and when cool, heated it again. I mixed in some bird seed, some berries, dried bread crumbs and anything else I could find that the birds would eat. I had a large stack of dishes from small heat and eat meals which I filled and froze. The fit perfectly in the suet cages. This was a easy job and if I could find the suet I would still do it this way. They never melted during the summer and never lasted long enough to spoil. I found a few pieces of raw suet in the freezer the other day and put it in the suet cage - no takers at all. Since the price of suet went that high, I now buy the ready made suet cakes and they disappear real fast. I buy them by the dozen and the price is less the a dollar each, but I don't have the messy stuff to contend with. L:ynn near Bernville PA. Joanne McIlhattan wrote: > The exchange and education about the fat we are feeding the birds is > interesting. My opinion is if it isn't straight off the hoof don't > call it suet. Any mixture could be called "The Recipe" or 'Bird > Snack'. Joanne Jeannette, PA *********************** To stop receiving messages from this list, send an e-mail message bluebird-L-request AT cornell.edu The body of the message is simply leave More info on leaving e-lists: http://www.cit.cornell.edu/computer/elist/lyris/leave-more.html Subject: RE: Homemade Suet From: "Dottie" <yumyumkatts AT voyager.net> Date: Sat, 14 Nov 2009 20:07:23 -0500 I use 4-1 for hummer nectar. Four cups water to one cup sugar. When they are migrating, I usually make it a little stronger. I had a really fat female hummer here on November 3rd. The first time I have had a hummer that late. Fortunately, I still had out two hummer feeders since the honey bees and woodpeckers were still drinking the nectar. We only have ruby throat hummers here. Dottie, Hickory Hollow   Brown County, Indiana      (50 miles south of Indianapolis) Lat: 39.371N  Lon: 86.261W  Zone 5  Elevation:  680 ft -----Original Message----- From: bounce-4575670-3587711 AT list.cornell.edu [mailto:bounce-4575670-3587711 AT list.cornell.edu] On Behalf Of Christine Sent: Saturday, November 14, 2009 9:57 AM To: Keith Kridler; Bluebird-L Subject: Re: Homemade Suet Thanks for this, Keith. This makes perfect sense that homemade hummingbird nectar is made from table sugar. The recipes do not call for a large amount of sugar in the recipes. Adding dried fruits like cut up raisins or cranberries and peanut butter also adds energy fuel for birds in the winter. Most peanut butters have processed sugar in them. I only put our suet in the winter since we have plenty of berries. Bluebird suets cam be made to crumbled and put on platform feeders so that they can easily get the bits of suets with their softer beaks. Am I correct on that? I have never made suets before but I may start just for the fun of it. Bet's Sialis.org site has many different suet recipes to choose from good for bluebirds and cavity nesters. I do not put too many seeds feeders and suets out because I have to take them down every night due to raccoon raids from our nearby woods surrounding the house. It's worth it so I can enjoy watching the birds during the day. Christine, Woolwine, VA _____________ Christine ...in Southwest Virginia From: "Keith Kridler" Date: Sat, 14 Nov 2009 07:24:31 -0600 To: Susan Simko; Subject: Re: Homemade Suet Keith Kridler Mt. Pleasant, Texas One of the reasons we use so much sugar in processed foods is because the Sucrose inhibits some dangerous strains of bacteria growth and thus is used as a food preservative. Of course there are other strains of bacteria or molds or mildews that will feed on sugar.   Sugar, processed or in raw forms is still a pure carbohydrate and thus is a quick form of energy for any of the creatures who eat this. It has a high calorie content in a small weight to energy ratio.   http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sucrose   Natural forms of sugar that birds would be drinking would be nectar from flowers. Also tree sap from many different species have high sugar contents and not just the Sugar Maple. Many fruits and berries also have a high sugar content. Dried fruits like raisins concentrate the sugars during the dehydration process.   Corn and MANY grains or weed seeds will be high in carbohydrates or sugars also. KK *********************** To stop receiving messages from this list, send an e-mail message bluebird-L-request AT cornell.edu The body of the message is simply leave More info on leaving e-lists: http://www.cit.cornell.edu/computer/elist/lyris/leave-more.html Subject: RE: Homemade Suet From: "Dottie" <yumyumkatts AT voyager.net> Date: Sat, 14 Nov 2009 20:02:28 -0500 We've trapped two raccoons so far in the last month. They are now residents of the park. Dottie, Hickory Hollow   Brown County, Indiana      (50 miles south of Indianapolis) Lat: 39.371N  Lon: 86.261W  Zone 5  Elevation:  680 ft -----Original Message----- From: bounce-4575722-3587711 AT list.cornell.edu [mailto:bounce-4575722-3587711 AT list.cornell.edu] On Behalf Of Bob Walshaw Sent: Saturday, November 14, 2009 10:48 AM To: Christine ; Keith Kridler; Bluebird-L Subject: Re: Homemade Suet Raccoons like Striped Skunks can be a serious problem around your home in addition to getting bird food and tearing up feeders. Both often carry rabies and if they bite your cat or dog (or even family members!) this can be serious. It is better to trap and eliminate them or have a wildlife control operator do this, and this has to be done on a regular schedule like controlling termites, etc. Nature abhors a vacuum and others will move in when the existing ones are removed. Bob Walshaw, NE OK. ----- Original Message ----- From: Christine To: Keith Kridler ; Bluebird-L Sent: Saturday, November 14, 2009 8:57 AM Subject: Re: Homemade Suet Thanks for this, Keith. This makes perfect sense that homemade hummingbird nectar is made from table sugar. The recipes do not call for a large amount of sugar in the recipes. Adding dried fruits like cut up raisins or cranberries and peanut butter also adds energy fuel for birds in the winter. Most peanut butters have processed sugar in them. I only put our suet in the winter since we have plenty of berries. Bluebird suets cam be made to crumbled and put on platform feeders so that they can easily get the bits of suets with their softer beaks. Am I correct on that? I have never made suets before but I may start just for the fun of it. Bet's Sialis.org site has many different suet recipes to choose from good for bluebirds and cavity nesters. I do not put too many seeds feeders and suets out because I have to take them down every night due to raccoon raids from our nearby woods surrounding the house. It's worth it so I can enjoy watching the birds during the day. Christine, Woolwine, VA _____________ Christine ...in Southwest Virginia From: "Keith Kridler" Date: Sat, 14 Nov 2009 07:24:31 -0600 To: Susan Simko; Subject: Re: Homemade Suet Keith Kridler Mt. Pleasant, Texas One of the reasons we use so much sugar in processed foods is because the Sucrose inhibits some dangerous strains of bacteria growth and thus is used as a food preservative. Of course there are other strains of bacteria or molds or mildews that will feed on sugar.   Sugar, processed or in raw forms is still a pure carbohydrate and thus is a quick form of energy for any of the creatures who eat this. It has a high calorie content in a small weight to energy ratio.   http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sucrose   Natural forms of sugar that birds would be drinking would be nectar from flowers. Also tree sap from many different species have high sugar contents and not just the Sugar Maple. Many fruits and berries also have a high sugar content. Dried fruits like raisins concentrate the sugars during the dehydration process.   Corn and MANY grains or weed seeds will be high in carbohydrates or sugars also. KK *********************** To stop receiving messages from this list, send an e-mail message bluebird-L-request AT cornell.edu The body of the message is simply leave More info on leaving e-lists: http://www.cit.cornell.edu/computer/elist/lyris/leave-more.html Subject: RE: Real Suet From: "Dottie" <yumyumkatts AT voyager.net> Date: Sat, 14 Nov 2009 19:59:55 -0500 I call what I make “Gourmet Bird Delight” which was Fawzi’s original recipe. I make big balls for the feeder tray and also use it for the hanging log holes. I put real suet in the wire cages. Dottie, Hickory Hollow   Brown County, Indiana      (50 miles south of Indianapolis) Lat: 39.371N  Lon: 86.261W  Zone 5  Elevation:  680 ft -----Original Message----- From: bounce-4575935-3587711 AT list.cornell.edu [mailto:bounce-4575935-3587711 AT list.cornell.edu] On Behalf Of Keith Kridler Sent: Saturday, November 14, 2009 12:26 PM To: Bruce Burdett; Susan Simko; BLUEBIRD-L AT cornell.edu Subject: Re: Real Suet Bruce is correct as usual about calling suet --suet:-))   Technically speaking/guessing here (as always please correct me if I am wrong with any posts.) When we cook or "render" the fat of beef/cattle we are actually making "beef tallow". I believe when we render pig or hog fat we are making "Lard". I might have these backwards...   Raw beef fat or suet will spoil and get rancid in the hot temperatures of early fall/summer or spring. To render, melt or cook the raw fat you carefully, VERY carefully heat this on a cook top and THEN skim off the tiny pieces of meat or cooked blood that rises to the top.   Allow the cleaned, once melted fat to harden and cool and repeat the process AGAIN. After the second skimming of impurities you can pour into the Tallow or Lard other ingredients to create Tallow bird cakes or lard bird cakes which in the big box stores they call these "Suet Cakes".   Now in the south lard and tallow cakes will often melt if it gets hot. Also even though lard and tallow has a longer shelf life it also will get rancid or begin to spoil.   For a LONG time most fast food restaurants used hog fat to cook French fries in as this animal fat can withstand the higher heat and the constant cooling down and reheating of the same grease from day to day. Check with your favorite fast food restaurant to see what they cook with and also ask them what percentage of the grease they change out from day to day. Most only remove about 10% of the grease from yesterday's use and replenish what goes out on the deep fried foods. Keith Kridler *********************** To stop receiving messages from this list, send an e-mail message bluebird-L-request AT cornell.edu The body of the message is simply leave More info on leaving e-lists: http://www.cit.cornell.edu/computer/elist/lyris/leave-more.html Subject: Re: $29.00 ! From: "Bruce Burdett" <blueburd AT myfairpoint.net> Date: Sat, 14 Nov 2009 19:22:05 -0500 I just saw an ad on the Internet for a company that sells genuine raw suet. The smallest package was 3 lbs, and it cost about $29.00 ! ! ! Shocking! Highway robbery! At our supermarket, it's about 1/10 as much. Bruce Burdett ----- Original Message ----- From: Joanne McIlhattan To: BLUEBIRD-L Sent: Saturday, November 14, 2009 3:51 PM Subject: RE: suet The exchange and education about the fat we are feeding the birds is interesting. My opinion is if it isn't straight off the hoof don't call it suet. Any mixture could be called "The Recipe" or 'Bird Snack'. Joanne Jeannette, PA *********************** To stop receiving messages from this list, send an e-mail message bluebird-L-request AT cornell.edu The body of the message is simply leave More info on leaving e-lists: http://www.cit.cornell.edu/computer/elist/lyris/leave-more.html Subject: RE: suet From: "Joanne McIlhattan" <ejmci AT comcast.net> Date: Sat, 14 Nov 2009 15:51:29 -0500 The exchange and education about the fat we are feeding the birds is interesting. My opinion is if it isn't straight off the hoof don't call it suet. Any mixture could be called "The Recipe" or 'Bird Snack'. Joanne Jeannette, PA *********************** To stop receiving messages from this list, send an e-mail message bluebird-L-request AT cornell.edu The body of the message is simply leave More info on leaving e-lists: http://www.cit.cornell.edu/computer/elist/lyris/leave-more.html Subject: Re: God Makes Suet, Folks. From: "Bruce Burdett" <blueburd AT myfairpoint.net> Date: Sat, 14 Nov 2009 15:30:21 -0500 Bob: My supermarket in New London is a big Hanneford's, - one of a chain - and they always stock fresh, raw suet in their meat department. I think it now costs about $1 a pound. It used to be free in the old days (Some people use fresh, raw suet for various cooking purposes, but I never have.) Bruce Burdett ----- Original Message ----- From: Bob Walshaw To: Bruce Burdett ; Christine ; Keith Kridler ; Bluebird-L Sent: Saturday, November 14, 2009 3:01 PM Subject: Re: God Makes Suet, Folks. Bruce - I have lived in your area and in other rural areas where there are butcher shops where you can get suet. However many of the big supermarkets receive their meat already cut and packaged and they do not have suet available. Bob Walshaw, NE OK. ----- Original Message ----- From: Bruce Burdett To: Christine ; Keith Kridler ; Bluebird-L Sent: Saturday, November 14, 2009 9:44 AM Subject: Re: God Makes Suet, Folks. Christine and Keith, I'll say it again. (Did you read my post?) We don't need to "make" suet. God makes suet. It's a part of a beef animal. All we have to do is buy it raw at the market, cut it up with a knife, and put it in some sort of appropriate feeder, like a hanging wire cage. I've been doing this for, literally, 75 years. I've never bought a "suet cake" or made any "homemade suet" or "hand-made suet." Suet is suet, and nothing needs to be added to it. No seeds, no berries, no sugar, no nothing. I'm really puzzled by this need to "make" suet. You can't "make" suet any more than you can "make" sirloin steak. I've never heard of "homemade sirloin." Bruce Burdett, Really Quite Perplexed in Sunapee, NH. ----- Original Message ----- From: Christine To: Keith Kridler ; Bluebird-L Sent: Saturday, November 14, 2009 9:57 AM Subject: Re: Homemade Suet Thanks for this, Keith. This makes perfect sense that homemade hummingbird nectar is made from table sugar. The recipes do not call for a large amount of sugar in the recipes. Adding dried fruits like cut up raisins or cranberries and peanut butter also adds energy fuel for birds in the winter. Most peanut butters have processed sugar in them. I only put our suet in the winter since we have plenty of berries. Bluebird suets cam be made to crumbled and put on platform feeders so that they can easily get the bits of suets with their softer beaks. Am I correct on that? I have never made suets before but I may start just for the fun of it. Bet's Sialis.org site has many different suet recipes to choose from good for bluebirds and cavity nesters. I do not put too many seeds feeders and suets out because I have to take them down every night due to raccoon raids from our nearby woods surrounding the house. It's worth it so I can enjoy watching the birds during the day. Christine, Woolwine, VA _____________ Christine ...in Southwest Virginia -------------------------------------------------------------------------- From: "Keith Kridler" Date: Sat, 14 Nov 2009 07:24:31 -0600 To: Susan Simko; Subject: Re: Homemade Suet Keith Kridler Mt. Pleasant, Texas One of the reasons we use so much sugar in processed foods is because the Sucrose inhibits some dangerous strains of bacteria growth and thus is used as a food preservative. Of course there are other strains of bacteria or molds or mildews that will feed on sugar. Sugar, processed or in raw forms is still a pure carbohydrate and thus is a quick form of energy for any of the creatures who eat this. It has a high calorie content in a small weight to energy ratio. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sucrose Natural forms of sugar that birds would be drinking would be nectar from flowers. Also tree sap from many different species have high sugar contents and not just the Sugar Maple. Many fruits and berries also have a high sugar content. Dried fruits like raisins concentrate the sugars during the dehydration process. Corn and MANY grains or weed seeds will be high in carbohydrates or sugars also. KK *********************** To stop receiving messages from this list, send an e-mail message bluebird-L-request AT cornell.edu The body of the message is simply leave More info on leaving e-lists: http://www.cit.cornell.edu/computer/elist/lyris/leave-more.html Subject: Re: Real Suet From: "Bruce Burdett" <blueburd AT myfairpoint.net> Date: Sat, 14 Nov 2009 15:18:05 -0500 Thank you, Keith. Thank you. Thank you. And thanks for defining tallow and lard. Bruce Burdett ----- Original Message ----- From: Keith Kridler To: Bruce Burdett ; Susan Simko ; BLUEBIRD-L AT cornell.edu Sent: Saturday, November 14, 2009 12:25 PM Subject: Re: Real Suet Bruce is correct as usual about calling suet --suet:-)) Technically speaking/guessing here (as always please correct me if I am wrong with any posts.) When we cook or "render" the fat of beef/cattle we are actually making "beef tallow". I believe when we render pig or hog fat we are making "Lard". I might have these backwards... Raw beef fat or suet will spoil and get rancid in the hot temperatures of early fall/summer or spring. To render, melt or cook the raw fat you carefully, VERY carefully heat this on a cook top and THEN skim off the tiny pieces of meat or cooked blood that rises to the top. Allow the cleaned, once melted fat to harden and cool and repeat the process AGAIN. After the second skimming of impurities you can pour into the Tallow or Lard other ingredients to create Tallow bird cakes or lard bird cakes which in the big box stores they call these "Suet Cakes". Now in the south lard and tallow cakes will often melt if it gets hot. Also even though lard and tallow has a longer shelf life it also will get rancid or begin to spoil. For a LONG time most fast food restaurants used hog fat to cook French fries in as this animal fat can withstand the higher heat and the constant cooling down and reheating of the same grease from day to day. Check with your favorite fast food restaurant to see what they cook with and also ask them what percentage of the grease they change out from day to day. Most only remove about 10% of the grease from yesterday's use and replenish what goes out on the deep fried foods. Keith Kridler *********************** To stop receiving messages from this list, send an e-mail message bluebird-L-request AT cornell.edu The body of the message is simply leave More info on leaving e-lists: http://www.cit.cornell.edu/computer/elist/lyris/leave-more.html Subject: Re: God Makes Suet, Folks. From: "Bob Walshaw" <walshaw1 AT cox.net> Date: Sat, 14 Nov 2009 14:01:36 -0600 Bruce - I have lived in your area and in other rural areas where there are butcher shops where you can get suet. However many of the big supermarkets receive their meat already cut and packaged and they do not have suet available. Bob Walshaw, NE OK. ----- Original Message ----- From: Bruce Burdett To: Christine ; Keith Kridler ; Bluebird-L Sent: Saturday, November 14, 2009 9:44 AM Subject: Re: God Makes Suet, Folks. Christine and Keith, I'll say it again. (Did you read my post?) We don't need to "make" suet. God makes suet. It's a part of a beef animal. All we have to do is buy it raw at the market, cut it up with a knife, and put it in some sort of appropriate feeder, like a hanging wire cage. I've been doing this for, literally, 75 years. I've never bought a "suet cake" or made any "homemade suet" or "hand-made suet." Suet is suet, and nothing needs to be added to it. No seeds, no berries, no sugar, no nothing. I'm really puzzled by this need to "make" suet. You can't "make" suet any more than you can "make" sirloin steak. I've never heard of "homemade sirloin." Bruce Burdett, Really Quite Perplexed in Sunapee, NH. ----- Original Message ----- From: Christine To: Keith Kridler ; Bluebird-L Sent: Saturday, November 14, 2009 9:57 AM Subject: Re: Homemade Suet Thanks for this, Keith. This makes perfect sense that homemade hummingbird nectar is made from table sugar. The recipes do not call for a large amount of sugar in the recipes. Adding dried fruits like cut up raisins or cranberries and peanut butter also adds energy fuel for birds in the winter. Most peanut butters have processed sugar in them. I only put our suet in the winter since we have plenty of berries. Bluebird suets cam be made to crumbled and put on platform feeders so that they can easily get the bits of suets with their softer beaks. Am I correct on that? I have never made suets before but I may start just for the fun of it. Bet's Sialis.org site has many different suet recipes to choose from good for bluebirds and cavity nesters. I do not put too many seeds feeders and suets out because I have to take them down every night due to raccoon raids from our nearby woods surrounding the house. It's worth it so I can enjoy watching the birds during the day. Christine, Woolwine, VA _____________ Christine ...in Southwest Virginia ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- From: "Keith Kridler" Date: Sat, 14 Nov 2009 07:24:31 -0600 To: Susan Simko; Subject: Re: Homemade Suet Keith Kridler Mt. Pleasant, Texas One of the reasons we use so much sugar in processed foods is because the Sucrose inhibits some dangerous strains of bacteria growth and thus is used as a food preservative. Of course there are other strains of bacteria or molds or mildews that will feed on sugar. Sugar, processed or in raw forms is still a pure carbohydrate and thus is a quick form of energy for any of the creatures who eat this. It has a high calorie content in a small weight to energy ratio. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sucrose Natural forms of sugar that birds would be drinking would be nectar from flowers. Also tree sap from many different species have high sugar contents and not just the Sugar Maple. Many fruits and berries also have a high sugar content. Dried fruits like raisins concentrate the sugars during the dehydration process. Corn and MANY grains or weed seeds will be high in carbohydrates or sugars also. KK *********************** To stop receiving messages from this list, send an e-mail message bluebird-L-request AT cornell.edu The body of the message is simply leave More info on leaving e-lists: http://www.cit.cornell.edu/computer/elist/lyris/leave-more.html Subject: Re: Real Suet From: "Keith Kridler" <txbluebirder AT suddenlink.net> Date: Sat, 14 Nov 2009 11:25:32 -0600 Bruce is correct as usual about calling suet --suet:-)) Technically speaking/guessing here (as always please correct me if I am wrong with any posts.) When we cook or "render" the fat of beef/cattle we are actually making "beef tallow". I believe when we render pig or hog fat we are making "Lard". I might have these backwards... Raw beef fat or suet will spoil and get rancid in the hot temperatures of early fall/summer or spring. To render, melt or cook the raw fat you carefully, VERY carefully heat this on a cook top and THEN skim off the tiny pieces of meat or cooked blood that rises to the top. Allow the cleaned, once melted fat to harden and cool and repeat the process AGAIN. After the second skimming of impurities you can pour into the Tallow or Lard other ingredients to create Tallow bird cakes or lard bird cakes which in the big box stores they call these "Suet Cakes". Now in the south lard and tallow cakes will often melt if it gets hot. Also even though lard and tallow has a longer shelf life it also will get rancid or begin to spoil. For a LONG time most fast food restaurants used hog fat to cook French fries in as this animal fat can withstand the higher heat and the constant cooling down and reheating of the same grease from day to day. Check with your favorite fast food restaurant to see what they cook with and also ask them what percentage of the grease they change out from day to day. Most only remove about 10% of the grease from yesterday's use and replenish what goes out on the deep fried foods. Keith Kridler *********************** To stop receiving messages from this list, send an e-mail message bluebird-L-request AT cornell.edu The body of the message is simply leave More info on leaving e-lists: http://www.cit.cornell.edu/computer/elist/lyris/leave-more.html Subject: Re: Roosting Boxes / Drainage Holes From: "lviolett" <lviolett AT earthlink.net> Date: Sat, 14 Nov 2009 09:18:57 -0800 Good information on heat. Nice basic benchmarks in relation to heat damage that can be caused to birds (and humans) with just ONE four-hour period with internal body heat at 108 degrees. Apply that same process to cold rainy weather and we'll have really good benchmarks for both weather extremes. It doesn't matter which area of the country gets more hot or wet days than another. What matters is what happens in a nestbox during ONE really hot day or ONE wet/cold rainstorm. The benchmark topics of survival in wet weather/boxes would be hypothermia and proximity of chicks to the nestbox hole (wind chill factor). And there we are back full circle again to (sigh) box design and the benefits of building deeper boxes where birds are nestled further away from entrance holes. Linda Violett Yorba Linda, Calif. ----- Original Message ----- From: "Keith Kridler" To: "BLUEBIRD-L" Sent: Saturday, November 14, 2009 6:31 AM Subject: Re: Roosting Boxes / Drainage Holes > Keith Kridler Mt. Pleasant, Texas > Each region of the country really does need special features on nestboxes. > Ventilation, roof over hang, color of the nestboxes, insulation values of > the nestbox materials can all affect the success or failures of the birds > nesting in the boxes. > *********************** To stop receiving messages from this list, send an e-mail message bluebird-L-request AT cornell.edu The body of the message is simply leave More info on leaving e-lists: http://www.cit.cornell.edu/computer/elist/lyris/leave-more.html Subject: circling hawks and wild turkeys From: "Judith Mangireo" <judith.mangiero AT comcast.net> Date: Sat, 14 Nov 2009 11:48:27 -0500 I wish I could identify these hawks, but I was out and about doing errands yesterday and I was struck by the number of hawks circling over a five-mile range. No matter where I stopped -- grocery store, gas station, Home Depot -- there were hawks everywhere. Broad wing spans. We've had four dreadful days of wet weather and high winds yesterday. They seemed to be enjoying the high winds. Today, for the first time in a week, not a single Bluebird has ventured out to eat the mealworms. I hope they are just playing it safe. I watched through my window as one of these hawks circled in the sky and didn't seem a bit interested in the mourning doves on the roofs. The mourning doves are not being overly cautious, but they do seem alert. The ravens are jittery and noisy. The juncos are busy eating seed under the bushes and not venturing out much from their sheltered positions. Also, there was an item on CNN this morning about a wild turkey (female) holding up traffic every morning at exit 14 on the NJ Turnpike. We've got one too, a Tom, at the toll booth at exit 8A. Every morning, I'm slowing down to avoid hitting him. What is it about toll booths and turkeys? It's too close to Thanksgiving for my comfort! Judith Cranbury, NJ *********************** To stop receiving messages from this list, send an e-mail message bluebird-L-request AT cornell.edu The body of the message is simply leave More info on leaving e-lists: http://www.cit.cornell.edu/computer/elist/lyris/leave-more.html Subject: Re: Real Suet From: "Bruce Burdett" <blueburd AT myfairpoint.net> Date: Sat, 14 Nov 2009 11:29:47 -0500 Keith, Please help me here. I can't seem to get my point across about suet. I just googled the word "suet" and found that Wikipedia describes it in detail, and even shows us a color photo of a chunk of real, genuine, fresh, raw, natural suet just as it comes directly from the beef carcass, with no seeds, no raisins, no sugar, no fruit, no flour, no eggs, - no nothing - just plain suet as God made it. Why do these folks seem to feel that they have to *make* suet My suet, fresh from the supermarket, never even makes it inside the house, much less the kitchen. I cut it up out on the deck railing and put the cut-up chunks in the feeders. I was about 10 when I first did this, and I'm now 86. I suppose that a lot of stuff can be "made" using suet, like "cakes" for example, but why go to the trouble. Just cut it up and put it out for the birds, who will love it. Bruce Burdett SW NH ----- Original Message ----- From: Keith Kridler To: Susan Simko ; BLUEBIRD-L AT cornell.edu Sent: Saturday, November 14, 2009 8:24 AM Subject: Re: Homemade Suet Keith Kridler Mt. Pleasant, Texas One of the reasons we use so much sugar in processed foods is because the Sucrose inhibits some dangerous strains of bacteria growth and thus is used as a food preservative. Of course there are other strains of bacteria or molds or mildews that will feed on sugar. Sugar, processed or in raw forms is still a pure carbohydrate and thus is a quick form of energy for any of the creatures who eat this. It has a high calorie content in a small weight to energy ratio. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sucrose Natural forms of sugar that birds would be drinking would be nectar from flowers. Also tree sap from many different species have high sugar contents and not just the Sugar Maple. Many fruits and berries also have a high sugar content. Dried fruits like raisins concentrate the sugars during the dehydration process. Corn and MANY grains or weed seeds will be high in carbohydrates or sugars also. KK *********************** To stop receiving messages from this list, send an e-mail message bluebird-L-request AT cornell.edu The body of the message is simply leave More info on leaving e-lists: http://www.cit.cornell.edu/computer/elist/lyris/leave-more.html Subject: Re: Homemade Suet From: "Paula Ziebarth" <paulaz AT columbus.rr.com> Date: Sat, 14 Nov 2009 11:26:59 -0500 Bruce, to your point, I guess we are leaving out an important word when we say we are making suet, because we are actually making a "suet mix" with rendered suet being the main ingredient. Hanging out raw suet for Eastern Bluebirds (EABL) would not work as they do not have the strong beaks needed to peck away at a block of suet I don't believe. The EABL that eat my homemade suet mix gobble up the pea sized morsels whole and swallow them. They will also eat shelled, chopped peanuts and shelled sunflower seeds. Of course, they avail themselves of natural berries and whole currants, chopped raisins, and other small berries we might set out for them. Right now, I have more White Breasted Nuthatches and Tufted Titmice eating the suet mix than any other species. Many other birds enjoy it also. Christine, I battled raccoons at the feeder station many years ago. As Bob states, they can carry rabies so best not to get near them at all (rabies can be transmitted by saliva spray) and best not to attract them to your yard if possible. It is admirable that you bring in the feeders every night, but much easier solution if you are so inclined. Siting feeders so they are not near trees or roof of house (i.e. so raccoon cannot climb and jump) is first step. Second step is putting a good 30" raccoon baffle on your feeder pole. Problem solved. I will add that without a good baffle system, feeding suet mixes during the day will soon attract squirrels to your feeder and they will chew the bejesus out of an expensive feeder (speaking from experience). An additional deterrent to raccoons is to make sure no pet foods are left out where they can get them. Also, all pet foods and seed stored in garage or outbuilding should be in raccoon proof container. I like small galvanized metal cans with heavy lid. Paula Z powell (Central) Ohio ----- Original Message ----- From: Christine To: Keith Kridler ; Bluebird-L Sent: Saturday, November 14, 2009 9:57 AM Subject: Re: Homemade Suet Thanks for this, Keith. This makes perfect sense that homemade hummingbird nectar is made from table sugar. The recipes do not call for a large amount of sugar in the recipes. Adding dried fruits like cut up raisins or cranberries and peanut butter also adds energy fuel for birds in the winter. Most peanut butters have processed sugar in them. I only put our suet in the winter since we have plenty of berries. Bluebird suets cam be made to crumbled and put on platform feeders so that they can easily get the bits of suets with their softer beaks. Am I correct on that? I have never made suets before but I may start just for the fun of it. Bet's Sialis.org site has many different suet recipes to choose from good for bluebirds and cavity nesters. I do not put too many seeds feeders and suets out because I have to take them down every night due to raccoon raids from our nearby woods surrounding the house. It's worth it so I can enjoy watching the birds during the day. Christine, Woolwine, VA _____________ Christine ...in Southwest Virginia *********************** To stop receiving messages from this list, send an e-mail message bluebird-L-request AT cornell.edu The body of the message is simply leave More info on leaving e-lists: http://www.cit.cornell.edu/computer/elist/lyris/leave-more.html Subject: Fw: God Makes Suet, Folks. From: "Christine " <WoolwineHouse AT aol.com> Date: Sat, 14 Nov 2009 16:20:58 +0000 _____________ Christine ...in Southwest Virginia -----Original Message----- From: "Christine " Date: Sat, 14 Nov 2009 16:07:20 To: Bruce Burdett Subject: Re: God Makes Suet, Folks. Bruce, yes I saw your post and will take your advice--of course I will get animal fat and make suet for the cages. I also want to make some, too...just something to try at home for fun. I won't be in the suet manufacturing business, be assured. I just to experiment and have fun watching what happens. I don't need to put much suet out--our winters here are mild. Thanks for your help, Bruce. I will go to the butcher! Bob, sorry, I don't want to take the time to trap raccoons. They are not a huge problem except when they know seed is out at night. I have a dog under wraps at night, too. We live on beautiful natural mountain woods and landscaped areas around the house and; we believe all the natural animals here are our neighbors including deer and turkeys and bobcats and black bears and coyotes and wild whatever. I am careful about all of them. I have had no raccoon problems with the bluebirds either. Thanks for your help. Bob! My biggest concern is what wildlife by the dog's back fence line and make sure nothing is there before letting her out (I use a hand-held spotlight) and look for possible danger lurking like a skunk which is havoc on a long-coated dog like mine! So far we are doing OK! Maybe lucky so far. Christine _____________ Christine ...in Southwest Virginia -----Original Message----- From: "Bruce Burdett" Date: Sat, 14 Nov 2009 10:44:08 To: Christine; Keith Kridler; Bluebird-L Subject: Re: God Makes Suet, Folks. Christine and Keith, I'll say it again. (Did you read my post?) We don't need to "make" suet. God makes suet. It's a part of a beef animal. All we have to do is buy it raw at the market, cut it up with a knife, and put it in some sort of appropriate feeder, like a hanging wire cage. I've been doing this for, literally, 75 years. I've never bought a "suet cake" or made any "homemade suet" or "hand-made suet." Suet is suet, and nothing needs to be added to it. No seeds, no berries, no sugar, no nothing. I'm really puzzled by this need to "make" suet. You can't "make" suet any more than you can "make" sirloin steak. I've never heard of "homemade sirloin." Bruce Burdett, Really Quite Perplexed in Sunapee, NH. ----- Original Message ----- From: Christine To: Keith Kridler ; Bluebird-L Sent: Saturday, November 14, 2009 9:57 AM Subject: Re: Homemade Suet Thanks for this, Keith. This makes perfect sense that homemade hummingbird nectar is made from table sugar. The recipes do not call for a large amount of sugar in the recipes. Adding dried fruits like cut up raisins or cranberries and peanut butter also adds energy fuel for birds in the winter. Most peanut butters have processed sugar in them. I only put our suet in the winter since we have plenty of berries. Bluebird suets cam be made to crumbled and put on platform feeders so that they can easily get the bits of suets with their softer beaks. Am I correct on that? I have never made suets before but I may start just for the fun of it. Bet's Sialis.org site has many different suet recipes to choose from good for bluebirds and cavity nesters. I do not put too many seeds feeders and suets out because I have to take them down every night due to raccoon raids from our nearby woods surrounding the house. It's worth it so I can enjoy watching the birds during the day. Christine, Woolwine, VA _____________ Christine ...in Southwest Virginia ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ From: "Keith Kridler" Date: Sat, 14 Nov 2009 07:24:31 -0600 To: Susan Simko; Subject: Re: Homemade Suet Keith Kridler Mt. Pleasant, Texas One of the reasons we use so much sugar in processed foods is because the Sucrose inhibits some dangerous strains of bacteria growth and thus is used as a food preservative. Of course there are other strains of bacteria or molds or mildews that will feed on sugar. Sugar, processed or in raw forms is still a pure carbohydrate and thus is a quick form of energy for any of the creatures who eat this. It has a high calorie content in a small weight to energy ratio. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sucrose Natural forms of sugar that birds would be drinking would be nectar from flowers. Also tree sap from many different species have high sugar contents and not just the Sugar Maple. Many fruits and berries also have a high sugar content. Dried fruits like raisins concentrate the sugars during the dehydration process. Corn and MANY grains or weed seeds will be high in carbohydrates or sugars also. KK *********************** To stop receiving messages from this list, send an e-mail message bluebird-L-request AT cornell.edu The body of the message is simply leave More info on leaving e-lists: http://www.cit.cornell.edu/computer/elist/lyris/leave-more.html Subject: Re: Homemade Suet From: "Bob Walshaw" <walshaw1 AT cox.net> Date: Sat, 14 Nov 2009 09:48:17 -0600 Raccoons like Striped Skunks can be a serious problem around your home in addition to getting bird food and tearing up feeders. Both often carry rabies and if they bite your cat or dog (or even family members!) this can be serious. It is better to trap and eliminate them or have a wildlife control operator do this, and this has to be done on a regular schedule like controlling termites, etc. Nature abhors a vacuum and others will move in when the existing ones are removed. Bob Walshaw, NE OK. ----- Original Message ----- From: Christine To: Keith Kridler ; Bluebird-L Sent: Saturday, November 14, 2009 8:57 AM Subject: Re: Homemade Suet Thanks for this, Keith. This makes perfect sense that homemade hummingbird nectar is made from table sugar. The recipes do not call for a large amount of sugar in the recipes. Adding dried fruits like cut up raisins or cranberries and peanut butter also adds energy fuel for birds in the winter. Most peanut butters have processed sugar in them. I only put our suet in the winter since we have plenty of berries. Bluebird suets cam be made to crumbled and put on platform feeders so that they can easily get the bits of suets with their softer beaks. Am I correct on that? I have never made suets before but I may start just for the fun of it. Bet's Sialis.org site has many different suet recipes to choose from good for bluebirds and cavity nesters. I do not put too many seeds feeders and suets out because I have to take them down every night due to raccoon raids from our nearby woods surrounding the house. It's worth it so I can enjoy watching the birds during the day. Christine, Woolwine, VA _____________ Christine ...in Southwest Virginia ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ From: "Keith Kridler" Date: Sat, 14 Nov 2009 07:24:31 -0600 To: Susan Simko; Subject: Re: Homemade Suet Keith Kridler Mt. Pleasant, Texas One of the reasons we use so much sugar in processed foods is because the Sucrose inhibits some dangerous strains of bacteria growth and thus is used as a food preservative. Of course there are other strains of bacteria or molds or mildews that will feed on sugar. Sugar, processed or in raw forms is still a pure carbohydrate and thus is a quick form of energy for any of the creatures who eat this. It has a high calorie content in a small weight to energy ratio. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sucrose Natural forms of sugar that birds would be drinking would be nectar from flowers. Also tree sap from many different species have high sugar contents and not just the Sugar Maple. Many fruits and berries also have a high sugar content. Dried fruits like raisins concentrate the sugars during the dehydration process. Corn and MANY grains or weed seeds will be high in carbohydrates or sugars also. KK *********************** To stop receiving messages from this list, send an e-mail message bluebird-L-request AT cornell.edu The body of the message is simply leave More info on leaving e-lists: http://www.cit.cornell.edu/computer/elist/lyris/leave-more.html Subject: Re: God Makes Suet, Folks. From: "Bruce Burdett" <blueburd AT myfairpoint.net> Date: Sat, 14 Nov 2009 10:44:08 -0500 Christine and Keith, I'll say it again. (Did you read my post?) We don't need to "make" suet. God makes suet. It's a part of a beef animal. All we have to do is buy it raw at the market, cut it up with a knife, and put it in some sort of appropriate feeder, like a hanging wire cage. I've been doing this for, literally, 75 years. I've never bought a "suet cake" or made any "homemade suet" or "hand-made suet." Suet is suet, and nothing needs to be added to it. No seeds, no berries, no sugar, no nothing. I'm really puzzled by this need to "make" suet. You can't "make" suet any more than you can "make" sirloin steak. I've never heard of "homemade sirloin." Bruce Burdett, Really Quite Perplexed in Sunapee, NH. ----- Original Message ----- From: Christine To: Keith Kridler ; Bluebird-L Sent: Saturday, November 14, 2009 9:57 AM Subject: Re: Homemade Suet Thanks for this, Keith. This makes perfect sense that homemade hummingbird nectar is made from table sugar. The recipes do not call for a large amount of sugar in the recipes. Adding dried fruits like cut up raisins or cranberries and peanut butter also adds energy fuel for birds in the winter. Most peanut butters have processed sugar in them. I only put our suet in the winter since we have plenty of berries. Bluebird suets cam be made to crumbled and put on platform feeders so that they can easily get the bits of suets with their softer beaks. Am I correct on that? I have never made suets before but I may start just for the fun of it. Bet's Sialis.org site has many different suet recipes to choose from good for bluebirds and cavity nesters. I do not put too many seeds feeders and suets out because I have to take them down every night due to raccoon raids from our nearby woods surrounding the house. It's worth it so I can enjoy watching the birds during the day. Christine, Woolwine, VA _____________ Christine ...in Southwest Virginia ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ From: "Keith Kridler" Date: Sat, 14 Nov 2009 07:24:31 -0600 To: Susan Simko; Subject: Re: Homemade Suet Keith Kridler Mt. Pleasant, Texas One of the reasons we use so much sugar in processed foods is because the Sucrose inhibits some dangerous strains of bacteria growth and thus is used as a food preservative. Of course there are other strains of bacteria or molds or mildews that will feed on sugar. Sugar, processed or in raw forms is still a pure carbohydrate and thus is a quick form of energy for any of the creatures who eat this. It has a high calorie content in a small weight to energy ratio. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sucrose Natural forms of sugar that birds would be drinking would be nectar from flowers. Also tree sap from many different species have high sugar contents and not just the Sugar Maple. Many fruits and berries also have a high sugar content. Dried fruits like raisins concentrate the sugars during the dehydration process. Corn and MANY grains or weed seeds will be high in carbohydrates or sugars also. KK *********************** To stop receiving messages from this list, send an e-mail message bluebird-L-request AT cornell.edu The body of the message is simply leave More info on leaving e-lists: http://www.cit.cornell.edu/computer/elist/lyris/leave-more.html Subject: Re: Homemade Suet From: "Christine " <WoolwineHouse AT aol.com> Date: Sat, 14 Nov 2009 14:57:22 +0000 Thanks for this, Keith. This makes perfect sense that homemade hummingbird nectar is made from table sugar. The recipes do not call for a large amount of sugar in the recipes. Adding dried fruits like cut up raisins or cranberries and peanut butter also adds energy fuel for birds in the winter. Most peanut butters have processed sugar in them. I only put our suet in the winter since we have plenty of berries. Bluebird suets cam be made to crumbled and put on platform feeders so that they can easily get the bits of suets with their softer beaks. Am I correct on that? I have never made suets before but I may start just for the fun of it. Bet's Sialis.org site has many different suet recipes to choose from good for bluebirds and cavity nesters. I do not put too many seeds feeders and suets out because I have to take them down every night due to raccoon raids from our nearby woods surrounding the house. It's worth it so I can enjoy watching the birds during the day. Christine, Woolwine, VA _____________ Christine ...in Southwest Virginia -----Original Message----- From: "Keith Kridler" Date: Sat, 14 Nov 2009 07:24:31 To: Susan Simko; Subject: Re: Homemade Suet Keith Kridler Mt. Pleasant, Texas One of the reasons we use so much sugar in processed foods is because the Sucrose inhibits some dangerous strains of bacteria growth and thus is used as a food preservative. Of course there are other strains of bacteria or molds or mildews that will feed on sugar. Sugar, processed or in raw forms is still a pure carbohydrate and thus is a quick form of energy for any of the creatures who eat this. It has a high calorie content in a small weight to energy ratio. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sucrose Natural forms of sugar that birds would be drinking would be nectar from flowers. Also tree sap from many different species have high sugar contents and not just the Sugar Maple. Many fruits and berries also have a high sugar content. Dried fruits like raisins concentrate the sugars during the dehydration process. Corn and MANY grains or weed seeds will be high in carbohydrates or sugars also. KK *********************** To stop receiving messages from this list, send an e-mail message bluebird-L-request AT cornell.edu The body of the message is simply leave More info on leaving e-lists: http://www.cit.cornell.edu/computer/elist/lyris/leave-more.html *********************** To stop receiving messages from this list, send an e-mail message bluebird-L-request AT cornell.edu The body of the message is simply leave More info on leaving e-lists: http://www.cit.cornell.edu/computer/elist/lyris/leave-more.html Subject: Re: Roosting Boxes / Drainage Holes From: "Keith Kridler" <txbluebirder AT suddenlink.net> Date: Sat, 14 Nov 2009 08:31:56 -0600 Keith Kridler Mt. Pleasant, Texas Each region of the country really does need special features on nestboxes. Ventilation, roof over hang, color of the nestboxes, insulation values of the nestbox materials can all affect the success or failures of the birds nesting in the boxes. Even though Linda mentions that Big Bear gets lots of precipitation, from April > October their monthly rainfall amounts average less than 1" per month. Their annual rainfall still is just 21" per year. http://www.weather.com/outlook/events/sports/wxclimatology/monthly/graph/92315?from=tenDay_bottomnav_sports I think the link above takes you to the weather channel where you can type in any city and pull up average and record high low temperatures and rainfall amounts. Remember the life of a well made nestbox is over 20 years or 20 different generations of small cavity nesters can use this! Most cavity nesters are in their home for a little over one month. Even a nestbox without a roof and no drainage holes would fledge birds OK if you just poured in one inch of water down through the nest or eggs since most birds have enough nesting material under the eggs to keep them above normal rainfall. The critical temperature for eggs or nestlings of the small cavity nesters is 108*F core body temperatures. Just four hours at this temperature or higher INSIDE the core or middle of the egg or the heart lung area of the baby birds is lethal. Same goes for humans, if your heart, lung, liver, brain or core body temperatures get up this high for four hours or longer you will suffer permanent damage to nerve or organ tissue. An average medium shade/color nestbox with average ventilation placed in an area where it receives full sun will have a temperature rise of 8*F<12*F above the current air temperature. So you have to figure in YOUR area, anytime the daytime highs reach the upper 90's*F range on a full/bright sunny day, you "might" be cooking or damaging the eggs or baby birds in your nestboxes. KK *********************** To stop receiving messages from this list, send an e-mail message bluebird-L-request AT cornell.edu The body of the message is simply leave More info on leaving e-lists: http://www.cit.cornell.edu/computer/elist/lyris/leave-more.html Subject: Re: Homemade Suet From: "Keith Kridler" <txbluebirder AT suddenlink.net> Date: Sat, 14 Nov 2009 07:24:31 -0600 Keith Kridler Mt. Pleasant, Texas One of the reasons we use so much sugar in processed foods is because the Sucrose inhibits some dangerous strains of bacteria growth and thus is used as a food preservative. Of course there are other strains of bacteria or molds or mildews that will feed on sugar. Sugar, processed or in raw forms is still a pure carbohydrate and thus is a quick form of energy for any of the creatures who eat this. It has a high calorie content in a small weight to energy ratio. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sucrose Natural forms of sugar that birds would be drinking would be nectar from flowers. Also tree sap from many different species have high sugar contents and not just the Sugar Maple. Many fruits and berries also have a high sugar content. Dried fruits like raisins concentrate the sugars during the dehydration process. Corn and MANY grains or weed seeds will be high in carbohydrates or sugars also. KK *********************** To stop receiving messages from this list, send an e-mail message bluebird-L-request AT cornell.edu The body of the message is simply leave More info on leaving e-lists: http://www.cit.cornell.edu/computer/elist/lyris/leave-more.html Subject: Re: Homemade Suet ? ? ? From: "Bruce Burdett" <blueburd AT myfairpoint.net> Date: Fri, 13 Nov 2009 21:51:33 -0500 Susan, Beggin' your pardon, Susan, and with respect, but why would one need a 'recipe' for suet? Suet is a fresh, natural, raw meat product which is carved in chunks from the beef carcass. I get it at the meat counter at my local supermarket. It is sold in packages of 2 lbs, more or less. I just cut it up and stick it in my suet-cages. The birds love it. Bruce Burdett SW NH ----- Original Message ----- From: Susan Simko To: BLUEBIRD-L AT cornell.edu Sent: Friday, November 13, 2009 1:08 PM Subject: Homemade Suet I just saw some new recipes for suet and was thinking about trying a few. However, one of them contains processed sugar. Anyone else add processed sugar to their suet mixture? In my mind, this is added more to please the humans than for the birds. I can see possibly adding raw unprocessed cane sugar but not processed sugar. As far as I know, processed sugar has little to no nutritional value for humans and I just don't see it providing anything to the birds either. Opinions? Susan in NC *********************** To stop receiving messages from this list, send an e-mail message bluebird-L-request AT cornell.edu The body of the message is simply leave More info on leaving e-lists: http://www.cit.cornell.edu/computer/elist/lyris/leave-more.html Subject: Re: Old Box Offer to Grassroots From: KCBSP AT aol.com Date: Fri, 13 Nov 2009 19:16:08 EST There is your answer you asked WHY? KC In a message dated 11/13/2009 12:24:41 A.M. Eastern Standard Time, lviolett AT earthlink.net writes: NABS folks on the List have already received dozens of my old boxes, let's give the grassroots a chance to try them out. *********************** To stop receiving messages from this list, send an e-mail message bluebird-L-request AT cornell.edu The body of the message is simply leave More info on leaving e-lists: http://www.cit.cornell.edu/computer/elist/lyris/leave-more.html Subject: Bluebird survival/birth rate From: "Bob Walshaw" <walshaw1 AT cox.net> Date: Fri, 13 Nov 2009 12:36:52 -0600 Regarding Keith's comment about one pair of Bluebirds being able to raise 15 or more young in a season (and this often happens in his Texas and my Oklahoma area), Bluebirds are known as an "r-selected species". This is a species, as most of our small songbirds are, in which individuals have a life history strategy that emphasizes high rates of reproduction instead of (and probably at the expense of) long-term survival. These species are generally small and tend to develop rapidly, breed at an early age, have many young per cycle (large litters or clutches), breed frequently, care for their young only briefly, and have short life spans. (See the home study course in bird biology by the Cornell Lab of Ornithology). Compare this to a bird like the Albatross which is very large, long lived, has few young and cares for them for a long time, and does not breed until it is at least two years old. Bob Walshaw, NE OK. *********************** To stop receiving messages from this list, send an e-mail message bluebird-L-request AT cornell.edu The body of the message is simply leave More info on leaving e-lists: http://www.cit.cornell.edu/computer/elist/lyris/leave-more.html Subject: Re: Roosting Boxes / Drainage Holes From: "Bob Walshaw" <walshaw1 AT cox.net> Date: Fri, 13 Nov 2009 11:59:43 -0600 Good comments but not applicable to all areas. With our Oklahoma winds we sometimes get horizontal rain. No amount of roof overhang will prevent rain from getting into a box when this happens. Bob Walshaw, NE OK. ----- Original Message ----- From: "lviolett" To: "Keith Kridler" ; "BLUEBIRD-L" Sent: Friday, November 13, 2009 11:03 AM Subject: Re: Roosting Boxes / Drainage Holes Several years ago, there was quite a bit of discussion from folks about whether to provide roosting boxes for Bluebirds during the winter. At the time, the internet had designs of roosting boxes with a hole at the bottom of the roosting box and perches inside at the top. The theory was that hot air would rise to the top of the box and keep roosting bird (theoretically perched at the top) warmer. Roosting boxes are not necessary. Nestboxes left open during the winter provide double-duty. But in the past, people on Bluebird-L kept asking about roosting boxes so Fawzi took the 2-holed design and blew it up to the size of a "roosting" box. If you WANT to make a special roosting box, then yes, build an oversized 2-holer. It is just as important for roosting birds to have an escape out of the box during an attack from a predator during winter as it is for Bluebirds to escape from House Sparrows during the nesting season. (I realize that some folks are still debating whether birds will escape to save their lives. Trust me, they do.) Keith mentions that I don't use drainage holes (true) and suggests that drainage holes would be necessary for those in rainy areas. Lots of things to consider in that area, the first important factor is that rain should NOT be getting into nestboxes in the first place. If that is happening, you need to redesign your box, or check your roof overhang, or take a look at the tilt/angle of the box, or direction of the box, or vent holes, or box construction and/or material used to seal the box. My trail in Yorba Linda (southern California) is hot semi desert with very little rainfall. My trail at Big Bear is next to a ski resort gets freezing temperatures during the winter and LOTS of rain and snow. You can do your own home test by setting your box under a sprinkler, with the box tilted slight forward (similar to a Peterson box angle but not as drastic). After a couple of hours, turn off the sprinklers and see if the box is still dry. It should be. If not, find out how and where water is leaking into the box and resolve the problem. Linda Violett Yorba Linda (and Big Bear), California ----- Original Message ----- From: "Keith Kridler" To: "BLUEBIRD-L" Sent: Friday, November 13, 2009 4:22 AM Subject: Linda's free nestbox offer > Keith Kridler Mt. Pleasant, Texas > These nestboxes from Linda would make a great > roosting box for the > bluebirds. Fawzi Emad probably has the best design > for a roosting box that > bluebirds will use and these nestboxes that Linda is > offering are very > similar to what Fawzi came up with for a roost box. > > http://audubon-omaha.org/bbbox/nestbox/fawzirb.htm > > Linda does not use drainage holes in the bottoms of > her nestboxes BUT > Yorba > Linda only averages less than 13" of rainfall > annually. I have had 62" of > rainfall this year already so I would drill drain > holes in the bottoms of > these free nestboxes. > > Bluebirds pile into a roost box right at dark, > possibly to avoid being > seen > by daytime predators and just before owls become > active. Two entrance > holes > on a roost box help because you often have 8<15 > bluebirds as a family unit > sleeping together. > > A roost box with a floor area of 5"X8" gives you 40 > square inches of floor > space or enough room for one layer of 10 bluebirds to > spread out, but > tightly packed wing to wing and beak to tail. This > would be three layers > of > bluebirds deep in a 4"x4" bluebird box or four layers > of bluebirds in a 4" > diameter PVC nestbox. (Each adult bluebird actually > takes up a little more > than 4 square inches of floor area with their actual > warm body.) > > The famous photo from Micheal Smith in National > Geographic back in the > 1970's was from a 4" diameter cavity in a manmade > log. You can see 9 > bluebirds or just parts of bluebirds piled in that > box, one on top of the > other but there were actually 13 bluebirds total in > that box that night. > > For roost boxes you need to be positive that Owls > CANNOT reach in through > an > entrance hole and pull out the roosting birds. > > Weasels are really small climbing predators and they, > like mink would go > on > a killing spree IF they got into a roost box with a > slightly larger > entrance > hole. Ditto for imported species of rats or native > voles as most rodents > are > meat eaters. > > You CANNOT stop a Southern Flying Squirrel from > entering a roosting box > and > killing roosting birds but you need to build a roost > box that resists or > stops climbing predators either at the mounting pole > or at the nestbox. > > Woodpeckers and squirrels also like to enlarge > entrance holes and the PVC > pipe guards will force a woodpecker to hammer in a > new entrance hole > through > a different spot. Squirrels can actually chew through > PVC pipe guards if > they really want to. > > Remember that each female bluebird that survives the > winter and all next > summer in a safe roost box or nesting box can produce > up to 18 or MORE > young > bluebirds. KK > > > *********************** > To stop receiving messages from this list, send an > e-mail message > bluebird-L-request AT cornell.edu > The body of the message is simply > leave > > More info on leaving e-lists: > http://www.cit.cornell.edu/computer/elist/lyris/leave-more.html -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- No virus found in this incoming message. Checked by AVG - www.avg.com Version: 8.5.425 / Virus Database: 270.14.62/2499 - Release Date: 11/12/09 14:33:00 *********************** To stop receiving messages from this list, send an e-mail message bluebird-L-request AT cornell.edu The body of the message is simply leave More info on leaving e-lists: http://www.cit.cornell.edu/computer/elist/lyris/leave-more.html *********************** To stop receiving messages from this list, send an e-mail message bluebird-L-request AT cornell.edu The body of the message is simply leave More info on leaving e-lists: http://www.cit.cornell.edu/computer/elist/lyris/leave-more.html Subject: Homemade Suet From: Susan Simko <shsimko AT mail.duke.edu> Date: Fri, 13 Nov 2009 13:08:14 -0500 I just saw some new recipes for suet and was thinking about trying a few. However, one of them contains processed sugar. Anyone else add processed sugar to their suet mixture? In my mind, this is added more to please the humans than for the birds. I can see possibly adding raw unprocessed cane sugar but not processed sugar. As far as I know, processed sugar has little to no nutritional value for humans and I just don't see it providing anything to the birds either. Opinions? Susan in NC *********************** To stop receiving messages from this list, send an e-mail message bluebird-L-request AT cornell.edu The body of the message is simply leave More info on leaving e-lists: http://www.cit.cornell.edu/computer/elist/lyris/leave-more.html Subject: Re: Roosting Boxes / Drainage Holes From: "lviolett" <lviolett AT earthlink.net> Date: Fri, 13 Nov 2009 09:03:08 -0800 Several years ago, there was quite a bit of discussion from folks about whether to provide roosting boxes for Bluebirds during the winter. At the time, the internet had designs of roosting boxes with a hole at the bottom of the roosting box and perches inside at the top. The theory was that hot air would rise to the top of the box and keep roosting bird (theoretically perched at the top) warmer. Roosting boxes are not necessary. Nestboxes left open during the winter provide double-duty. But in the past, people on Bluebird-L kept asking about roosting boxes so Fawzi took the 2-holed design and blew it up to the size of a "roosting" box. If you WANT to make a special roosting box, then yes, build an oversized 2-holer. It is just as important for roosting birds to have an escape out of the box during an attack from a predator during winter as it is for Bluebirds to escape from House Sparrows during the nesting season. (I realize that some folks are still debating whether birds will escape to save their lives. Trust me, they do.) Keith mentions that I don't use drainage holes (true) and suggests that drainage holes would be necessary for those in rainy areas. Lots of things to consider in that area, the first important factor is that rain should NOT be getting into nestboxes in the first place. If that is happening, you need to redesign your box, or check your roof overhang, or take a look at the tilt/angle of the box, or direction of the box, or vent holes, or box construction and/or material used to seal the box. My trail in Yorba Linda (southern California) is hot semi desert with very little rainfall. My trail at Big Bear is next to a ski resort gets freezing temperatures during the winter and LOTS of rain and snow. You can do your own home test by setting your box under a sprinkler, with the box tilted slight forward (similar to a Peterson box angle but not as drastic). After a couple of hours, turn off the sprinklers and see if the box is still dry. It should be. If not, find out how and where water is leaking into the box and resolve the problem. Linda Violett Yorba Linda (and Big Bear), California ----- Original Message ----- From: "Keith Kridler" To: "BLUEBIRD-L" Sent: Friday, November 13, 2009 4:22 AM Subject: Linda's free nestbox offer > Keith Kridler Mt. Pleasant, Texas > These nestboxes from Linda would make a great roosting box for the > bluebirds. Fawzi Emad probably has the best design for a roosting box that > bluebirds will use and these nestboxes that Linda is offering are very > similar to what Fawzi came up with for a roost box. > > http://audubon-omaha.org/bbbox/nestbox/fawzirb.htm > > Linda does not use drainage holes in the bottoms of her nestboxes BUT > Yorba > Linda only averages less than 13" of rainfall annually. I have had 62" of > rainfall this year already so I would drill drain holes in the bottoms of > these free nestboxes. > > Bluebirds pile into a roost box right at dark, possibly to avoid being > seen > by daytime predators and just before owls become active. Two entrance > holes > on a roost box help because you often have 8<15 bluebirds as a family unit > sleeping together. > > A roost box with a floor area of 5"X8" gives you 40 square inches of floor > space or enough room for one layer of 10 bluebirds to spread out, but > tightly packed wing to wing and beak to tail. This would be three layers > of > bluebirds deep in a 4"x4" bluebird box or four layers of bluebirds in a 4" > diameter PVC nestbox. (Each adult bluebird actually takes up a little more > than 4 square inches of floor area with their actual warm body.) > > The famous photo from Micheal Smith in National Geographic back in the > 1970's was from a 4" diameter cavity in a manmade log. You can see 9 > bluebirds or just parts of bluebirds piled in that box, one on top of the > other but there were actually 13 bluebirds total in that box that night. > > For roost boxes you need to be positive that Owls CANNOT reach in through > an > entrance hole and pull out the roosting birds. > > Weasels are really small climbing predators and they, like mink would go > on > a killing spree IF they got into a roost box with a slightly larger > entrance > hole. Ditto for imported species of rats or native voles as most rodents > are > meat eaters. > > You CANNOT stop a Southern Flying Squirrel from entering a roosting box > and > killing roosting birds but you need to build a roost box that resists or > stops climbing predators either at the mounting pole or at the nestbox. > > Woodpeckers and squirrels also like to enlarge entrance holes and the PVC > pipe guards will force a woodpecker to hammer in a new entrance hole > through > a different spot. Squirrels can actually chew through PVC pipe guards if > they really want to. > > Remember that each female bluebird that survives the winter and all next > summer in a safe roost box or nesting box can produce up to 18 or MORE > young > bluebirds. KK > > > *********************** > To stop receiving messages from this list, send an e-mail message > bluebird-L-request AT cornell.edu > The body of the message is simply > leave > > More info on leaving e-lists: > http://www.cit.cornell.edu/computer/elist/lyris/leave-more.html -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- No virus found in this incoming message. Checked by AVG - www.avg.com Version: 8.5.425 / Virus Database: 270.14.62/2499 - Release Date: 11/12/09 14:33:00 *********************** To stop receiving messages from this list, send an e-mail message bluebird-L-request AT cornell.edu The body of the message is simply leave More info on leaving e-lists: http://www.cit.cornell.edu/computer/elist/lyris/leave-more.html Subject: Linda's free nestbox offer From: "Keith Kridler" <txbluebirder AT suddenlink.net> Date: Fri, 13 Nov 2009 06:22:24 -0600 Keith Kridler Mt. Pleasant, Texas These nestboxes from Linda would make a great roosting box for the bluebirds. Fawzi Emad probably has the best design for a roosting box that bluebirds will use and these nestboxes that Linda is offering are very similar to what Fawzi came up with for a roost box. http://audubon-omaha.org/bbbox/nestbox/fawzirb.htm Linda does not use drainage holes in the bottoms of her nestboxes BUT Yorba Linda only averages less than 13" of rainfall annually. I have had 62" of rainfall this year already so I would drill drain holes in the bottoms of these free nestboxes. Bluebirds pile into a roost box right at dark, possibly to avoid being seen by daytime predators and just before owls become active. Two entrance holes on a roost box help because you often have 8<15 bluebirds as a family unit sleeping together. A roost box with a floor area of 5"X8" gives you 40 square inches of floor space or enough room for one layer of 10 bluebirds to spread out, but tightly packed wing to wing and beak to tail. This would be three layers of bluebirds deep in a 4"x4" bluebird box or four layers of bluebirds in a 4" diameter PVC nestbox. (Each adult bluebird actually takes up a little more than 4 square inches of floor area with their actual warm body.) The famous photo from Micheal Smith in National Geographic back in the 1970's was from a 4" diameter cavity in a manmade log. You can see 9 bluebirds or just parts of bluebirds piled in that box, one on top of the other but there were actually 13 bluebirds total in that box that night. For roost boxes you need to be positive that Owls CANNOT reach in through an entrance hole and pull out the roosting birds. Weasels are really small climbing predators and they, like mink would go on a killing spree IF they got into a roost box with a slightly larger entrance hole. Ditto for imported species of rats or native voles as most rodents are meat eaters. You CANNOT stop a Southern Flying Squirrel from entering a roosting box and killing roosting birds but you need to build a roost box that resists or stops climbing predators either at the mounting pole or at the nestbox. Woodpeckers and squirrels also like to enlarge entrance holes and the PVC pipe guards will force a woodpecker to hammer in a new entrance hole through a different spot. Squirrels can actually chew through PVC pipe guards if they really want to. Remember that each female bluebird that survives the winter and all next summer in a safe roost box or nesting box can produce up to 18 or MORE young bluebirds. KK *********************** To stop receiving messages from this list, send an e-mail message bluebird-L-request AT cornell.edu The body of the message is simply leave More info on leaving e-lists: http://www.cit.cornell.edu/computer/elist/lyris/leave-more.html Subject: Re: Old Box Offer to Grassroots From: "lviolett" <lviolett AT earthlink.net> Date: Thu, 12 Nov 2009 21:22:40 -0800 Almost every year during the winter months, I've offered old boxes across the board as design "samplers" given away for about the cost of shipping. Some of the old boxes had partial Plexiglas roofs (extra light was supposed to be a HOSP deterrent and wasn't). Whenever I found out some feature didn't work on my trail, or when improvements were made, old boxes were pulled off and eventually given away to anyone who asked. Almost all the original boxes with 7.5" drops were given away as they were replaced with 8.5" drop boxes. The trail is now working like a well-oiled machine with no new problems to solve. The boxes are built to last and there just won't be very many "samplers" available from my trail anymore. The odd-sized jumbo boxes presented one of the last opportunities for grassroots monitors to try out designs they have read about but don't feel comfortable building on their own. And, as always, at about the cost of shipping. There are only about a dozen jumbo "sampler" boxes available. NABS folks on the List have already received dozens of my old boxes, let's give the grassroots a chance to try them out. Linda Violett Yorba Linda, Calif. ----- Original Message ----- From: phillip berry To: lviolett ; BLUEBIRD-L AT cornell.edu Sent: Thursday, November 12, 2009 3:18 PM Subject: Re: Old Box Offer to Grassroots "Any grassroots monitor interested in trying a 2-holer can contact me offlist (no NABS people, please)." What does this mean??????? No one interested in bluebirds need apply? Phil Berry ----- Original Message ----- From: lviolett To: BLUEBIRD-L AT cornell.edu Sent: Thursday, November 12, 2009 4:39 PM Subject: Old Box Offer to Grassroots I'm in the process of building new boxes for next year and cleaning out the old ones. Last year I had access to wide lumber an made several jumbo 2-holers from it (extra big, extra deep). I ended up with jumbo boxes a bit too large and heavy for an urban hanging box trail. The jumbo boxes let me know Tree Swallows could use them, but now I don't need boxes this huge. So I'm now getting rid of those used jumbo 2-holers. Any grassroots monitor interested in trying a 2-holer can contact me offlist (no NABS people, please). See jumbo dimensions below. Linda Violett Yorba Linda, Calif. Jumbo Box Dimensions: Outside height is about 15" tall Interior is about 13" tall Inside floor measurements are somewhere between 6x7 to 5x8 range Hole drops are somewhere between 8.5" to 9" Some of the boxes have hardwood face guards. Some have woodpecker-proof (PVC & washer) holes Outside is completely sealed with waterproof clear silicone caulk. There are no vent holes. (you can add) There are no drain holes. (you can add) Built mostly from clear pine. Fastened with 2" screws. Hanger will be removed prior to shipping Post mounts need to be sturdy to support these heavyweights. Or heavy-duty U-bolts can be added to the roof so they can be hung from a back yard tree (pulley system?) If you are going to put them in full sun, paint them reflective white. Shipping will be about $25 plus $5 for hardware reimb. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ No virus found in this incoming message. Checked by AVG - www.avg.com Version: 8.5.425 / Virus Database: 270.14.61/2498 - Release Date: 11/12/09 07:38:00 *********************** To stop receiving messages from this list, send an e-mail message bluebird-L-request AT cornell.edu The body of the message is simply leave More info on leaving e-lists: http://www.cit.cornell.edu/computer/elist/lyris/leave-more.html Subject: Re: Old Box Offer to Grassroots From: "Bob Walshaw" <walshaw1 AT cox.net> Date: Thu, 12 Nov 2009 17:36:32 -0600 My question too. What does this comment mean? Bob Walshaw. ----- Original Message ----- From: phillip berry To: lviolett ; BLUEBIRD-L AT cornell.edu Sent: Thursday, November 12, 2009 5:18 PM Subject: Re: Old Box Offer to Grassroots "Any grassroots monitor interested in trying a 2-holer can contact me offlist (no NABS people, please)." What does this mean??????? No one interested in bluebirds need apply? Phil Berry ----- Original Message ----- From: lviolett To: BLUEBIRD-L AT cornell.edu Sent: Thursday, November 12, 2009 4:39 PM Subject: Old Box Offer to Grassroots I'm in the process of building new boxes for next year and cleaning out the old ones. Last year I had access to wide lumber an made several jumbo 2-holers from it (extra big, extra deep). I ended up with jumbo boxes a bit too large and heavy for an urban hanging box trail. The jumbo boxes let me know Tree Swallows could use them, but now I don't need boxes this huge. So I'm now getting rid of those used jumbo 2-holers. Any grassroots monitor interested in trying a 2-holer can contact me offlist (no NABS people, please). See jumbo dimensions below. Linda Violett Yorba Linda, Calif. Jumbo Box Dimensions: Outside height is about 15" tall Interior is about 13" tall Inside floor measurements are somewhere between 6x7 to 5x8 range Hole drops are somewhere between 8.5" to 9" Some of the boxes have hardwood face guards. Some have woodpecker-proof (PVC & washer) holes Outside is completely sealed with waterproof clear silicone caulk. There are no vent holes. (you can add) There are no drain holes. (you can add) Built mostly from clear pine. Fastened with 2" screws. Hanger will be removed prior to shipping Post mounts need to be sturdy to support these heavyweights. Or heavy-duty U-bolts can be added to the roof so they can be hung from a back yard tree (pulley system?) If you are going to put them in full sun, paint them reflective white. Shipping will be about $25 plus $5 for hardware reimb. *********************** To stop receiving messages from this list, send an e-mail message bluebird-L-request AT cornell.edu The body of the message is simply leave More info on leaving e-lists: http://www.cit.cornell.edu/computer/elist/lyris/leave-more.html Subject: FW: Marsh Wren From: Duane Rice <drbirdsong4 AT hotmail.com> Date: Thu, 12 Nov 2009 17:21:17 -0600 Hey Folks, When this came in the mail, I thought it a bit unusual. We're always talking about Downy Woodpeskers roosting in nest boxes, but this was really weird. Take a closer look at those roosters this fall/winter. You may have something exceptional. dr > From: likebird AT bellsouth.net > To: TN-BIRD AT freelists.org > Subject: [TN-Bird] Marsh Wren > Date: Wed, 11 Nov 2009 09:47:02 -0600 > > Birders, > I had a real shock this morning while checking my Blue Bird box. A bird lept from the base into the edge of vines that cover the creek bank. Easily identified in the morning sun, I could not believe I had a new yard bird!! I think it is late for Marsh Wrens. Maybe the warm days kept him from leaving! > Linda V. Kelly > Warner Valley > Nashville, TN > Davidson CO > =================NOTES TO SUBSCRIBER===================== > > The TN-Bird Net requires you to SIGN YOUR MESSAGE with > first and last name, CITY (TOWN) and state abbreviation. > You are also required to list the COUNTY in which the birds > you report were seen. The actual DATE OF OBSERVATION should > appear in the first paragraph. > _____________________________________________________________ > To post to this mailing list, simply send email to: > tn-bird AT freelists.org. > _____________________________________________________________ > To unsubscribe, send email to: > tn-bird-request AT freelists.org > with 'unsubscribe' in the Subject field. > ______________________________________________________________ > TN-Bird Net is owned by the Tennessee Ornithological Society > Neither the society(TOS) nor its moderator(s) > endorse the views or opinions expressed > by the members of this discussion group. > > Moderator: Wallace Coffey, Bristol, TN > wallace AT bristolbirdclub.org > ------------------------------ > Assistant Moderator Andy Jones > Cleveland, OH > ------------------------------- > Assistant Moderator Dave Worley > Rosedale, VA > __________________________________________________________ > > Visit the Tennessee Ornithological Society > web site at http://www.tnbirds.org > * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * > > ARCHIVES > TN-Bird Net Archives at http://www.freelists.org/archives/tn-bird/ > > MAP RESOURCES > Tenn.Counties Map at http://www.lib.utexas.edu/maps/states/tennessee3.gif > Aerial photos to complement google maps http://local.live.com > > _____________________________________________________________ > > _________________________________________________________________ Hotmail: Trusted email with powerful SPAM protection. http://clk.atdmt.com/GBL/go/177141665/direct/01/ *********************** To stop receiving messages from this list, send an e-mail message bluebird-L-request AT cornell.edu The body of the message is simply leave More info on leaving e-lists: http://www.cit.cornell.edu/computer/elist/lyris/leave-more.html Subject: Re: Old Box Offer to Grassroots From: "phillip berry" <berryphillip AT bellsouth.net> Date: Thu, 12 Nov 2009 17:18:34 -0600 "Any grassroots monitor interested in trying a 2-holer can contact me offlist (no NABS people, please)." What does this mean??????? No one interested in bluebirds need apply? Phil Berry ----- Original Message ----- From: lviolett To: BLUEBIRD-L AT cornell.edu Sent: Thursday, November 12, 2009 4:39 PM Subject: Old Box Offer to Grassroots I'm in the process of building new boxes for next year and cleaning out the old ones. Last year I had access to wide lumber an made several jumbo 2-holers from it (extra big, extra deep). I ended up with jumbo boxes a bit too large and heavy for an urban hanging box trail. The jumbo boxes let me know Tree Swallows could use them, but now I don't need boxes this huge. So I'm now getting rid of those used jumbo 2-holers. Any grassroots monitor interested in trying a 2-holer can contact me offlist (no NABS people, please). See jumbo dimensions below. Linda Violett Yorba Linda, Calif. Jumbo Box Dimensions: Outside height is about 15" tall Interior is about 13" tall Inside floor measurements are somewhere between 6x7 to 5x8 range Hole drops are somewhere between 8.5" to 9" Some of the boxes have hardwood face guards. Some have woodpecker-proof (PVC & washer) holes Outside is completely sealed with waterproof clear silicone caulk. There are no vent holes. (you can add) There are no drain holes. (you can add) Built mostly from clear pine. Fastened with 2" screws. Hanger will be removed prior to shipping Post mounts need to be sturdy to support these heavyweights. Or heavy-duty U-bolts can be added to the roof so they can be hung from a back yard tree (pulley system?) If you are going to put them in full sun, paint them reflective white. Shipping will be about $25 plus $5 for hardware reimb. *********************** To stop receiving messages from this list, send an e-mail message bluebird-L-request AT cornell.edu The body of the message is simply leave More info on leaving e-lists: http://www.cit.cornell.edu/computer/elist/lyris/leave-more.html Subject: Old Box Offer to Grassroots From: "lviolett" <lviolett AT earthlink.net> Date: Thu, 12 Nov 2009 14:39:23 -0800 I'm in the process of building new boxes for next year and cleaning out the old ones. Last year I had access to wide lumber an made several jumbo 2-holers from it (extra big, extra deep). I ended up with jumbo boxes a bit too large and heavy for an urban hanging box trail. The jumbo boxes let me know Tree Swallows could use them, but now I don't need boxes this huge. So I'm now getting rid of those used jumbo 2-holers. Any grassroots monitor interested in trying a 2-holer can contact me offlist (no NABS people, please). See jumbo dimensions below. Linda Violett Yorba Linda, Calif. Jumbo Box Dimensions: Outside height is about 15" tall Interior is about 13" tall Inside floor measurements are somewhere between 6x7 to 5x8 range Hole drops are somewhere between 8.5" to 9" Some of the boxes have hardwood face guards. Some have woodpecker-proof (PVC & washer) holes Outside is completely sealed with waterproof clear silicone caulk. There are no vent holes. (you can add) There are no drain holes. (you can add) Built mostly from clear pine. Fastened with 2" screws. Hanger will be removed prior to shipping Post mounts need to be sturdy to support these heavyweights. Or heavy-duty U-bolts can be added to the roof so they can be hung from a back yard tree (pulley system?) If you are going to put them in full sun, paint them reflective white. Shipping will be about $25 plus $5 for hardware reimb. *********************** To stop receiving messages from this list, send an e-mail message bluebird-L-request AT cornell.edu The body of the message is simply leave More info on leaving e-lists: http://www.cit.cornell.edu/computer/elist/lyris/leave-more.html Subject: Re: free metal for nestbox roofs-LONG From: Paulette Cothern <cothern AT bellsouth.net> Date: Thu, 12 Nov 2009 06:24:08 -0800 (PST) Christine, congratulations on your award!  Sorry I missed both conventions you mentioned.  So much can be learned at them.  I love to see older homes renovated instead of torn down.  Your home sounds lovely!  Is the pond large enough for geese or ducks to raise little ones?  We are on a parcel of 40 acres that was once part of my grandfather's old farm.  I don't know how large it was but it was first divided between my grandfather and his brother; then further divided after their deaths.  Our pond has had a few herons land there probably looking for fish.  It is stocked with brim and bass so they are welcome to a few.  As for the bluebird boxes, I may add some Styrofoam insulation between the wood roof and the metal roof before next spring ti see if it makes a difference on very hot days!  Thanks for the advice. ________________________________ From: "WoolwineHouse AT aol.com" To: BLUEBIRD-L AT cornell.edu Cc: txbluebirder AT suddenlink.net Sent: Wed, November 11, 2009 11:58:45 AM Subject: Re: free metal for nestbox roofs-LONG All this discussion on metal roofs has been fascinating to me since Woolwine House, the name of our property and old refurbished farmhouse, is over a century old.   When a NJ couple purchased it as a country home in the late 60's, it was then, we think, an abandoned farm with 720 acres.  This couple refurbished it and tore down old outbuildings no longer worth repair except for two of the splendid barns made from oak.  The grounds were bulldozed and relandscaped.  We are on 46 acres today (the land was sold off through the years prior to us purchasing it) with white pines, poplars, black walnut, maples, oaks surrounding the grounds.  We have a pond on the property from the house view, originally used for a retention pond and a dam for the mountain creek waters to flow into (and from springs) and for the livestock to use.  We bought it in November 2005 when the surviving children put the property up for sale.  The roof on the farmhouse and the two barns still here were original metal roofs on some sections (tin) and replaced sections on others (such as the grain barn, now converted as a guest cottage and hobby loft), we believe in the 1930's.  It was hot during the summer, even with an attic fan going.   The breezeway section was built in the 1920's, between the big farmhouse kitchen and the utility room where the pump is located.   The concrete slab had the date inscribed.  The roof was original tin.   We completely reroofed in Spring this year, including the old grain barn close to the house.   It is the new metal roofing that we got a certificate for energy saving percentage off income taxes.  The attic fan was removed--no longer needed.  The house is definitely MUCH cooler; hardly had to run A/C except a few days.  We are between two ridges in Sugarloaf Mountain in Patrick County, SW Virginia, which is above Stokes County, NC.  I can attest the new metal roofs today are much better!  Thanks for the discussion on this, particularly the history from Keith!  I am saving all of it for our house history archives.  We still have old grain barrels and horse tack from the old farm, and some draft horses and mule tack and harnesses.  We are happy to keep them and keep them hanging for decorations!   For bluebird boxes, I might consider adding another roof board and Styrofoam insulation between the two layers.  I think that's a really good idea for those boxes that are in full sun in the afternoons.  Otherwise, the habitats are excellent locations.  Most of my boxes have partial shade during the day.  I've had no bird deaths due to heat in my boxes yet.  I've seen white metal-made bluebird boxes, but they lacked ventilation.  I don't think those would do well.  However, theory on my part, if ventilation was adequate and the metal was white, I can't see it being dangerous to the nesting birds.    The VBS had their annual state conference at the Claytor Nature Study Center (Lynchburg Collage area) on November 7.  It was a marvelous meeting. We had two excellent presentations-- one on Purple Martins and the other regarding a study on GPS tracking of bluebirds on golf courses.   What a treat.   Finally, I was able to meet my fellow Virginian bluebirders!  A nice surprise for me....I was awarded "County Coordinator of the Year".   2009 was my second year of having a small trail of my own.   Every year is a learning experience....thanks to all on Bluebird-L for your assistance to me.  I enjoyed meeting many at the NABS conference, too!   My biggest rewards in bluebirding is watching the chicks fledge and watching them help their parents with second and third broods!   Christine in Woolwine, VA http://woolwinehousebluebirdtrail.com/ *********************** To stop receiving messages from this list, send an e-mail message bluebird-L-request AT cornell.edu The body of the message is simply leave More info on leaving e-lists: http://www.cit.cornell.edu/computer/elist/lyris/leave-more.html Subject: Re: free metal for nestbox roofs-LONG From: WoolwineHouse AT aol.com Date: Wed, 11 Nov 2009 12:58:45 EST All this discussion on metal roofs has been fascinating to me since Woolwine House, the name of our property and old refurbished farmhouse, is over a century old. When a NJ couple purchased it as a country home in the late 60's, it was then, we think, an abandoned farm with 720 acres. This couple refurbished it and tore down old outbuildings no longer worth repair except for two of the splendid barns made from oak. The grounds were bulldozed and relandscaped. We are on 46 acres today (the land was sold off through the years prior to us purchasing it) with white pines, poplars, black walnut, maples, oaks surrounding the grounds. We have a pond on the property from the house view, originally used for a retention pond and a dam for the mountain creek waters to flow into (and from springs) and for the livestock to use. We bought it in November 2005 when the surviving children put the property up for sale. The roof on the farmhouse and the two barns still here were original metal roofs on some sections (tin) and replaced sections on others (such as the grain barn, now converted as a guest cottage and hobby loft), we believe in the 1930's. It was hot during the summer, even with an attic fan going. The breezeway section was built in the 1920's, between the big farmhouse kitchen and the utility room where the pump is located. The concrete slab had the date inscribed. The roof was original tin. We completely reroofed in Spring this year, including the old grain barn close to the house. It is the new metal roofing that we got a certificate for energy saving percentage off income taxes. The attic fan was removed--no longer needed. The house is definitely MUCH cooler; hardly had to run A/C except a few days. We are between two ridges in Sugarloaf Mountain in Patrick County, SW Virginia, which is above Stokes County, NC. I can attest the new metal roofs today are much better! Thanks for the discussion on this, particularly the history from Keith! I am saving all of it for our house history archives. We still have old grain barrels and horse tack from the old farm, and some draft horses and mule tack and harnesses. We are happy to keep them and keep them hanging for decorations! For bluebird boxes, I might consider adding another roof board and Styrofoam insulation between the two layers. I think that's a really good idea for those boxes that are in full sun in the afternoons. Otherwise, the habitats are excellent locations. Most of my boxes have partial shade during the day. I've had no bird deaths due to heat in my boxes yet. I've seen white metal-made bluebird boxes, but they lacked ventilation. I don't think those would do well. However, theory on my part, if ventilation was adequate and the metal was white, I can't see it being dangerous to the nesting birds. The VBS had their annual state conference at the Claytor Nature Study Center (Lynchburg Collage area) on November 7. It was a marvelous meeting. We had two excellent presentations-- one on Purple Martins and the other regarding a study on GPS tracking of bluebirds on golf courses. What a treat. Finally, I was able to meet my fellow Virginian bluebirders! A nice surprise for me....I was awarded "County Coordinator of the Year". 2009 was my second year of having a small trail of my own. Every year is a learning experience....thanks to all on Bluebird-L for your assistance to me. I enjoyed meeting many at the NABS conference, too! My biggest rewards in bluebirding is watching the chicks fledge and watching them help their parents with second and third broods! Christine in Woolwine, VA _http://woolwinehousebluebirdtrail.com/_ (http://woolwinehousebluebirdtrail.com/) *********************** To stop receiving messages from this list, send an e-mail message bluebird-L-request AT cornell.edu The body of the message is simply leave More info on leaving e-lists: http://www.cit.cornell.edu/computer/elist/lyris/leave-more.html Subject: Re: Straw From: "Bruce Burdett" <blueburd AT myfairpoint.net> Date: Wed, 11 Nov 2009 12:12:09 -0500 Paula Z. Plenty of very nice people use the phrase "claim straws" all the time. Bruce Burdett ----- Original Message ----- From: "Paula Ziebarth" To: "Bruce Burdett" ; "ccbluebirder tds.net" ; Sent: Wednesday, November 11, 2009 11:50 AM Subject: Re: Checking out boxes! > Tena, > > I have Eastern Bluebirds periodically check out nestboxes all year long. > They will not nest this time of year, but may roost in boxes on cold > nights. Pairs may possibly be checking out digs for next season. If boxes > are spaced at least 100 yards apart, your friend may get these pairs > nesting in every box. If closer spacing, it is most likely that one pair > will drive the others off when hormone levels and territorial disputes > surface again in the spring. During the winter, you can feed the EABL and > enjoy great numbers of them together. Come spring, the feeder will become > the territory of one pair. > > Now if they are laying claim to boxes and they put a claim straw in there, > Bruce would really have something to say. Sorry, I could not resist, > Bruce. I know how you hate that term... > > Paula Z > Powell (central) Ohio > > > ----- Original Message ----- > From: Bruce Burdett > To: ccbluebirder tds.net ; BLUEBIRD-L AT cornell.edu > Sent: Wednesday, November 11, 2009 11:36 AM > Subject: Re: Checking out boxes! > > > Tena, > Up here in NH it would be unheard of. Down where you > are, who knows? Your climate is very different from ours. > > Bruce Burdett SW NH > ----- Original Message ----- > From: ccbluebirder tds.net > To: BLUEBIRD-L AT cornell.edu > Sent: Wednesday, November 11, 2009 10:59 AM > Subject: Checking out boxes! > > > Tena Taylor > Calhoun County, MS > > > A bluebirder friend who lives in the next county called yesterday, and > asked me was it possible for bluebirds to nest this time of the year. She > had 3 pairs checking out the same box. My response was that they were > probably from the same 'family' from this past summer, and were just > playing house - or looking for a roosting place. > > > She called again this morning and reported each pair had selected a > nestbox, and all 6 were going to and from the birdbath to their selected > house. > > > We had a couple of weeks of cool weather recently, with temps going into > the high 30's at night and low 60's during the day. Now since Thursday, > our temps are soring to in the mid-70's during the day and high 50's at > night. I told her to watch carefully to see if in fact any started a nest. > > > Has anybody heard of this behavior? > > *********************** > To stop receiving messages from this list, send an e-mail message > bluebird-L-request AT cornell.edu > The body of the message is simply > leave > > More info on leaving e-lists: > http://www.cit.cornell.edu/computer/elist/lyris/leave-more.html > > *********************** To stop receiving messages from this list, send an e-mail message bluebird-L-request AT cornell.edu The body of the message is simply leave More info on leaving e-lists: http://www.cit.cornell.edu/computer/elist/lyris/leave-more.html Subject: Re: Checking out boxes! From: "Paula Ziebarth" <paulaz AT columbus.rr.com> Date: Wed, 11 Nov 2009 11:50:01 -0500 Tena, I have Eastern Bluebirds periodically check out nestboxes all year long. They will not nest this time of year, but may roost in boxes on cold nights. Pairs may possibly be checking out digs for next season. If boxes are spaced at least 100 yards apart, your friend may get these pairs nesting in every box. If closer spacing, it is most likely that one pair will drive the others off when hormone levels and territorial disputes surface again in the spring. During the winter, you can feed the EABL and enjoy great numbers of them together. Come spring, the feeder will become the territory of one pair. Now if they are laying claim to boxes and they put a claim straw in there, Bruce would really have something to say. Sorry, I could not resist, Bruce. I know how you hate that term... Paula Z Powell (central) Ohio ----- Original Message ----- From: Bruce Burdett To: ccbluebirder tds.net ; BLUEBIRD-L AT cornell.edu Sent: Wednesday, November 11, 2009 11:36 AM Subject: Re: Checking out boxes! Tena, Up here in NH it would be unheard of. Down where you are, who knows? Your climate is very different from ours. Bruce Burdett SW NH ----- Original Message ----- From: ccbluebirder tds.net To: BLUEBIRD-L AT cornell.edu Sent: Wednesday, November 11, 2009 10:59 AM Subject: Checking out boxes! Tena Taylor Calhoun County, MS A bluebirder friend who lives in the next county called yesterday, and asked me was it possible for bluebirds to nest this time of the year. She had 3 pairs checking out the same box. My response was that they were probably from the same 'family' from this past summer, and were just playing house - or looking for a roosting place. She called again this morning and reported each pair had selected a nestbox, and all 6 were going to and from the birdbath to their selected house. We had a couple of weeks of cool weather recently, with temps going into the high 30's at night and low 60's during the day. Now since Thursday, our temps are soring to in the mid-70's during the day and high 50's at night. I told her to watch carefully to see if in fact any started a nest. Has anybody heard of this behavior? *********************** To stop receiving messages from this list, send an e-mail message bluebird-L-request AT cornell.edu The body of the message is simply leave More info on leaving e-lists: http://www.cit.cornell.edu/computer/elist/lyris/leave-more.html Subject: Re: Checking out boxes! From: "Bruce Burdett" <blueburd AT myfairpoint.net> Date: Wed, 11 Nov 2009 11:36:01 -0500 Tena, Up here in NH it would be unheard of. Down where you are, who knows? Your climate is very different from ours. Bruce Burdett SW NH ----- Original Message ----- From: ccbluebirder tds.net To: BLUEBIRD-L AT cornell.edu Sent: Wednesday, November 11, 2009 10:59 AM Subject: Checking out boxes! Tena Taylor Calhoun County, MS A bluebirder friend who lives in the next county called yesterday, and asked me was it possible for bluebirds to nest this time of the year. She had 3 pairs checking out the same box. My response was that they were probably from the same 'family' from this past summer, and were just playing house - or looking for a roosting place. She called again this morning and reported each pair had selected a nestbox, and all 6 were going to and from the birdbath to their selected house. We had a couple of weeks of cool weather recently, with temps going into the high 30's at night and low 60's during the day. Now since Thursday, our temps are soring to in the mid-70's during the day and high 50's at night. I told her to watch carefully to see if in fact any started a nest. Has anybody heard of this behavior? *********************** To stop receiving messages from this list, send an e-mail message bluebird-L-request AT cornell.edu The body of the message is simply leave More info on leaving e-lists: http://www.cit.cornell.edu/computer/elist/lyris/leave-more.html