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Updated on Thursday, March 18 at 08:47 PM ET
The most recently received Mail is at the top.
Golden Parakeet,©BirdQuest

18 Mar RE: box pest query ["Dottie" ]
18 Mar Re: Legality of sparrow & starling trapping []
18 Mar Re: bluebird bodies []
18 Mar Re: box pest query ["Bob Walshaw" ]
18 Mar RE: box pest query []
18 Mar RE: box pest query ["Bet Zimmerman" ]
18 Mar RE: box pest query []
18 Mar RE: box pest query ["Bet Zimmerman" ]
17 Mar Eggs ["Christina Packard" ]
17 Mar Re: My spring BB couple [Jim Harrison ]
17 Mar OT (mostly): interesting birds in central CO [Tina Mitchell ]
17 Mar Hummingbirds - a poem ["Bob Walshaw" ]
17 Mar Re: My spring BB couple ["Bob Walshaw" ]
17 Mar Re: My spring BB couple ["Paula Ziebarth" ]
17 Mar Re: My spring BB couple [Debbie ]
17 Mar Re: My spring BB couple [Jim Harrison ]
17 Mar Re: My spring BB couple [Jim Harrison ]
17 Mar Re: My spring BB couple ["Paula Ziebarth" ]
17 Mar Re: My spring BB couple [Robert Barron ]
17 Mar Re: My spring BB couple ["Bob Walshaw" ]
17 Mar Re: My spring BB couple [Jim ]
17 Mar FW: My spring BB couple ["Lee, Jill" ]
17 Mar My spring BB couple [Jim ]
17 Mar Re: Legality of sparrow & starling trapping []
17 Mar Re: box pest query ["Bob Walshaw" ]
17 Mar Re: box pest query ["Bob Walshaw" ]
17 Mar Re: box pest query ["Bob Walshaw" ]
17 Mar Re: bluebird bodies ["Bob Walshaw" ]
17 Mar Re: box pest query ["Paula Ziebarth" ]
17 Mar Re: box pest query ["Paula Ziebarth" ]
17 Mar RE: box pest query ["Lee, Jill" ]
17 Mar RE: box pest query ["Lee, Jill" ]
17 Mar Re: bluebird bodies [Robert Barron ]
16 Mar RE: bluebird bodies [Duane Rice ]
16 Mar Re: Tree Swallows and Bluebirds [Robert Barron ]
16 Mar RE: Tree Swallows and Bluebirds [Duane Rice ]
16 Mar Re: Bluebird Photos []
16 Mar RE: bluebird bodies ["Gail Storm" ]
16 Mar Re: bluebird bodies [Robert Barron ]
16 Mar Re: bluebird bodies [Robert Barron ]
16 Mar Re: box pest query ["Bob Walshaw" ]
16 Mar Re: box pest query ["Bob Walshaw" ]
16 Mar Re: Heard a bluebird on film ["Bob Walshaw" ]
16 Mar Re: box pest query ["Bob Walshaw" ]
16 Mar Re: bluebird bodies ["Bob Walshaw" ]
16 Mar Re: bluebird bodies ["Bob Walshaw" ]
16 Mar Re: bluebird bodies ["Paula Ziebarth" ]
16 Mar RE:Barn Swallows as compared to Tree Swallows ["Kathleen Arnold" ]
16 Mar RE: bluebird bodies [Tina Mitchell ]
16 Mar RE: Heard a bluebird on film ["linyl" ]
16 Mar Re: Heard a bluebird on film [Bill Apgar ]
16 Mar Re: box pest query [Bill Apgar ]
16 Mar Barn Swallows ["Gail Storm" ]
16 Mar Re: Tree Swallows and Bluebirds [Robert Barron ]
16 Mar Barn Swallows ["Gail Storm" ]
16 Mar Re: Heard a bluebird on film [Robert Barron ]
16 Mar RE: box pest query [Duane Rice ]
16 Mar Re: bluebird bodies [Robert Barron ]
16 Mar RE: Heard a bluebird on film ["Bet Zimmerman" ]
16 Mar RE: Tree Swallows and Bluebirds [Duane Rice ]
16 Mar Re: Heard a bluebird on film [EmailUser wensuz ]
16 Mar box pest query ["Lee, Jill" ]
16 Mar RE: bluebird bodies [Duane Rice ]
16 Mar Re: Tree Swallows and Bluebirds [Robert Barron ]
16 Mar Re: orange and jelly question [Robert Barron ]
16 Mar RE: Heard a bluebird on film [Duane Rice ]
16 Mar RE: orange and jelly question [Duane Rice ]
16 Mar RE: Tree Swallows and Bluebirds [Duane Rice ]
16 Mar RE: bluebird bodies [Tina Mitchell ]
16 Mar bluebird bodies [Paulette Cothern ]
16 Mar They're Heeeeere!!! [Jim ]
16 Mar RE: Correction about Orioles ["Dottie" ]
16 Mar Re: Heard a bluebird on film [Debbie Highfill ]
16 Mar Heard a bluebird on film ["Bet Zimmerman" ]
16 Mar Video of HOSP attacking eggs and nestlings ["Bet Zimmerman" ]
15 Mar Bluebird Photos ["Gail Storm" ]

Subject: RE: box pest query
From: "Dottie" <yumyumkatts AT voyager.net>
Date: Thu, 18 Mar 2010 21:47:10 -0400
I use ivory or Zest soap.   Both work for me.   I just knock off the wasp
nest and rub the soap there.   The wasps are out here now.   I use Vaseline
on the pole under the guard and to the ground for ants and also predators.


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-5449289-3587711 AT list.cornell.edu
[mailto:bounce-5449289-3587711 AT list.cornell.edu] On Behalf Of Bob Walshaw
Sent: Thursday, March 18, 2010 10:41 AM
To: Bet Zimmerman; 'Lee, Jill'
Cc: bluebird-l AT list.cornell.edu
Subject: Re: box pest query

An ivory soap bar also works and is less messy. Bob Walshaw, NE OK.
----- Original Message ----- 
From: Bet Zimmerman 
To: 'Lee, Jill' 
Cc: bluebird-l AT list.cornell.edu 
Sent: Thursday, March 18, 2010 7:08 AM
Subject: RE: box pest query

Info on deterring wasps here: http://www.sialis.org/paperwasp.htm. Ive
tried multiple methods myself and light coating of Vaseline (excess wiped
off with paper towel) is messy to apply but works as well as anything,
coupled with squishing with a pallet knife. I like the tube idea Duane, I
was using a travel size jar and it was messy!

For blackflies, some folks use Flys-Away.
http://www.sialis.org/blackflies.htm 

I would NEVER spray something in a box unless I was pretty CERTAIN it would
do no harm. 

I second the Bluebird Monitors Guide recommendation! My personal fave.
Other book recommendations here: http://www.sialis.org/books.htm with
reviews.

Bet from CT

From: Lee, Jill [mailto:Jill.Lee AT pgparks.com] 
Sent: Wednesday, March 17, 2010 7:41 AM
Subject: RE: box pest query

Thanks Duane, I may try that (though Im replying before reading the other
suggestions). This trail is one of many that I coordinate at work (Im a
Park Ranger). I check a couple trails myself, but the vast majority are
checked by volunteers (YAY!). I received this job when a co-worker left
last year, and its one of my favorite assignments. 

Now, at home is a different situation. Ive seen EABL in the neighborhood,
but not in my yard yet. I thought Id try to attract them w/ a feeder w/
food (alternating between mealworms and fruit) and if it worked and I saw
any in the yard, I would put up a box...Im starting to wonder if I
shouldnt have tried it the other way around now.

Jill Lee
Lusby, MD

From: Duane Rice [mailto:drbirdsong4 AT hotmail.com] 
Sent: Tuesday, March 16, 2010 5:54 PM
To: Lee, Jill; Bluebird L
Subject: RE: box pest query

Since you seem to have taken the plunge and taken it seriously, go pick up a
copy of the Bluebird Monitor's Guide book at your local booksore or at
Amamzon Books. You won't regret it, and you will be referring to it often. 
Ants.
Different things work in different places. I use a gel that comes in a tube,
spread sparingly along the inside seams of theinfested box, under the nest,
of course.
Waps. 
Same thing. Different strokes for different folks.
I use a tube of petroleum jelly spread along the inside top and top part of
the walls. 
To remove nests already in place? Do iton a cool morning, before the wasps
are active. Use a long handled spatula or scraper. Leave the box open for a
while, if it's unoccupied by birds, which it probably won't be, since they
won't use a box with a wasp nest in it....usually. 
As always, refer to www.sialis.orgfor all and any information regarding
bluebirds and being a Bluebird Monitor. You can also access the Bluebird-L
Archives, to see where these questions have been answered in the past. 
Of course, we're all learning new things all the time, so don't think
youcan't ask it here.
We've onlyscratched the surface.

dr

Subject: box pest query
Date: Tue, 16 Mar 2010 17:29:20 -0400
From: Jill.Lee AT pgparks.com
To: bluebird-l AT cornell.edu
Hey List!

Im getting my parks bluebird trails ready for the season and met with some
other trail care takers today. They asked me what to do about ants and I
wasnt sure what to tell them. Ive seen some written sources say that you
can spray the box with something, but even if its not bug spray, I get very
leery of spraying the insides of the boxes. So, does anyone have a better
suggestion? One person I talked to suggested using the same substance used
to keep gypsy moths off the trees, but apply it to the post of the box.
Would that work? Would something simple like Vaseline around the post
work? (Its a 4x4 wood post.) 

Im also wondering about wasp prevention.


Thanks,
Jill Lee
Lusby, MD



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Subject: Re: Legality of sparrow & starling trapping
From: KCBSP AT aol.com
Date: Thu, 18 Mar 2010 20:37:05 EDT
 
In a message dated 3/17/2010 12:13:11 PM Eastern Daylight Time,  
txbluebirder AT suddenlink.net writes:

In Texas  we are supposed to have a state issued trappers license to even 
use a live  trap to capture anything. $10.00 fee and you get a small booklet 
telling what  is legal and illegal to do with trapping. Keith Kridler 
Calaveras County  California



That's smart.. goood!

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Subject: Re: bluebird bodies
From: KCBSP AT aol.com
Date: Thu, 18 Mar 2010 20:35:15 EDT
Ditto plus a sparrow trap

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Subject: Re: box pest query
From: "Bob Walshaw" <walshaw1 AT cox.net>
Date: Thu, 18 Mar 2010 09:41:26 -0500
An ivory soap bar also works and is less messy. Bob Walshaw, NE OK.
  ----- Original Message ----- 
  From: Bet Zimmerman 
  To: 'Lee, Jill' 
  Cc: bluebird-l AT list.cornell.edu 
  Sent: Thursday, March 18, 2010 7:08 AM
  Subject: RE: box pest query


 Info on deterring wasps here: http://www.sialis.org/paperwasp.htm. I've tried 
multiple methods myself and light coating of Vaseline (excess wiped off with 
paper towel) is messy to apply but works as well as anything, coupled with 
squishing with a pallet knife. I like the tube idea Duane, I was using a travel 
size jar and it was messy! 


   

 For blackflies, some folks use Flys-Away. http://www.sialis.org/blackflies.htm 


   

 I would NEVER spray something in a box unless I was pretty CERTAIN it would do 
no harm. 


   

 I second the Bluebird Monitor's Guide recommendation! My personal fave. Other 
book recommendations here: http://www.sialis.org/books.htm with reviews. 


   

  Bet from CT

   

  From: Lee, Jill [mailto:Jill.Lee AT pgparks.com] 
  Sent: Wednesday, March 17, 2010 7:41 AM
  Subject: RE: box pest query

   

 Thanks Duane, I may try that (though I'm replying before reading the other 
suggestions). This trail is one of many that I coordinate at work (I'm a Park 
Ranger). I check a couple trails myself, but the vast majority are checked by 
volunteers (YAY!). I received this job when a co-worker left last year, and 
it's one of my favorite assignments. 


   

 Now, at home is a different situation. I've seen EABL in the neighborhood, but 
not in my yard yet. I thought I'd try to attract them w/ a feeder w/ food 
(alternating between mealworms and fruit) and if it worked and I saw any in the 
yard, I would put up a box...I'm starting to wonder if I shouldn't have tried 
it the other way around now. 


   

  Jill Lee

  Lusby, MD


------------------------------------------------------------------------------

  From: Duane Rice [mailto:drbirdsong4 AT hotmail.com] 
  Sent: Tuesday, March 16, 2010 5:54 PM
  To: Lee, Jill; Bluebird L
  Subject: RE: box pest query

   

 Since you seem to have taken the plunge and taken it seriously, go pick up a 
copy of the Bluebird Monitor's Guide book at your local booksore or at Amamzon 
Books. You won't regret it, and you will be referring to it often. 

  Ants.
 Different things work in different places. I use a gel that comes in a tube, 
spread sparingly along the inside seams of the infested box, under the nest, of 
course. 

  Waps. 
  Same thing. Different strokes for different folks.
 I use a tube of petroleum jelly spread along the inside top and top part of 
the walls. 

 To remove nests already in place? Do it on a cool morning, before the wasps 
are active. Use a long handled spatula or scraper. Leave the box open for a 
while, if it's unoccupied by birds, which it probably won't be, since they 
won't use a box with a wasp nest in it....usually. 

 As always, refer to www.sialis.org for all and any information regarding 
bluebirds and being a Bluebird Monitor. You can also access the Bluebird-L 
Archives, to see where these questions have been answered in the past. 

 Of course, we're all learning new things all the time, so don't think you 
can't ask it here. 

  We've only scratched the surface.
   
  dr


------------------------------------------------------------------------------

  Subject: box pest query
  Date: Tue, 16 Mar 2010 17:29:20 -0400
  From: Jill.Lee AT pgparks.com
  To: bluebird-l AT cornell.edu

  Hey List!

   

 I'm getting my parks' bluebird trails ready for the season and met with some 
other trail care takers today. They asked me what to do about ants and I wasn't 
sure what to tell them. I've seen some written sources say that you can spray 
the box with something, but even if it's not bug spray, I get very leery of 
spraying the insides of the boxes. So, does anyone have a better suggestion? 
One person I talked to suggested using the same substance used to keep gypsy 
moths off the trees, but apply it to the post of the box. Would that work? 
Would something simple like Vaseline around the post work? (It's a 4x4 wood 
post.) 


   

  I'm also wondering about wasp prevention.

   

   

  Thanks,

  Jill Lee

  Lusby, MD

   

   


------------------------------------------------------------------------------

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Subject: RE: box pest query
From: ckanchor AT comcast.net
Date: Thu, 18 Mar 2010 14:27:05 +0000 (UTC)
Bet, as with all things I guess one has to try and find out what works best. 
The flaking soap can be a problem and I've had to cover nests too in that case. 
Otherwise I just brush it out. Bob mentions wetting the soap first. I've never 
tried that and so hadn't considered it a factor in the past. But maybe that 
would prevent the flaking?? In regards to the exercising nestlings...how deep 
ones box is and what type of ceiling one would have would probably also affect 
that outcome. It seems one would have to make some judgement calls for sure. 


Charlene

----- Original Message -----
From: Bet Zimmerman 
To: ckanchor AT comcast.net
Cc: 'Jill' 'Lee' , bluebird-l AT list.cornell.edu
Sent: Thu, 18 Mar 2010 14:20:29 +0000 (UTC)
Subject: RE: box pest query



Good points Charlene - I have trouble getting the soap in the

corners (probably I should cut a pointy piece) and it flakes (need to cover

active nests with paper towel), but it’s worked okay for me – I think I had 
somewhat 


better luck tho with the Vaseline. I am careful about getting then excess off 
because 


I worry about getting it on wings too during exercise. Also, I don’t use it 
on 


side walls which European wasps will build on (natives build on the underside 
of 


the roof) so soap is better there.
 
Bet
 


From:

ckanchor AT comcast.net [mailto:ckanchor AT comcast.net] 
Sent: Thursday, March 18, 2010 10:14 AM
To: Bet Zimmerman
Cc: Jill' 'Lee; bluebird-l AT list.cornell.edu
Subject: RE: box pest query
 
From what is being said I understand that the vaseline works well.

Personally I would rather not use it due to the messiness. Also, how would one

know that it might not get on the birds' feathers, especially nestlings who may

be jumping around and flapping their wings near fledging time? The ivory soap

has worked for me and is easier to use. 



Charlene Anchor


E C Illinois



----- Original Message -----


From: Bet Zimmerman 


To: Jill' 'Lee 


Cc: bluebird-l AT list.cornell.edu


Sent: Thu, 18 Mar 2010 12:08:34 +0000 (UTC)


Subject: RE: box pest query

Info

on deterring wasps here:  http://www.sialis.org/paperwasp.htm. 



I’ve tried multiple methods myself and light coating of Vaseline (excess



wiped off with paper towel) is messy to apply but works as well as anything,



coupled with squishing with a pallet knife.  I like the tube idea Duane, I



was using a travel size jar and it was messy!
 
For

blackflies, some folks use Flys-Away. http://www.sialis.org/blackflies.htm
 
I

would NEVER spray something in a box unless I was pretty



CERTAIN it would do no harm.  
 
I

second the Bluebird Monitor’s Guide



recommendation!  My personal fave.  Other book recommendations



here:  http://www.sialis.org/books.htm



with reviews.
 
Bet

from CT
 


From: Lee,

Jill



[mailto:Jill.Lee AT pgparks.com] 
Sent:

Wednesday, March 17, 2010 7:41 AM
Subject:

RE: box pest query
 
Thanks

Duane, I may try that (though I’m replying before



reading the other suggestions).  This trail is one of many that I



coordinate at work (I’m a Park Ranger).  I check a couple trails



myself, but the vast majority are checked by volunteers (YAY!).  I



received this job when a co-worker left last year, and it’s one of my



favorite assignments.  
 
Now, at

home is a different situation.  I’ve seen EABL



in the neighborhood, but not in my yard yet.  I thought I’d try to



attract them w/ a feeder w/ food (alternating between mealworms and fruit) and



if it worked and I saw any in the yard, I would put up a box...I’m



starting to wonder if I shouldn’t have tried it the other way around now.
 

Jill

Lee
Lusby,



MD




From: Duane

Rice



[mailto:drbirdsong4 AT hotmail.com] 
Sent:

Tuesday, March 16, 2010 5:54 PM
To:

Lee, Jill; Bluebird L
Subject:

RE: box pest query
 
Since



you seem to have taken the plunge and taken it seriously, go pick up a copy of



the Bluebird Monitor's Guide book at your local booksore or at Amamzon Books.



You won't regret it, and you will be referring to it often. 




Ants.




Different things work in different places. I use a gel that comes in a tube,



spread sparingly along the inside seams of the infested box, under the



nest, of course.




Waps. 




Same thing. Different strokes for different folks.




I use a tube of petroleum jelly spread along the inside top and top part of the



walls. 




To remove nests already in place? Do it on a cool morning, before the



wasps are active. Use a long handled spatula or scraper. Leave the box open for



a while, if it's unoccupied by birds, which it probably won't be, since they



won't use a box with a wasp nest in it....usually. 




As always, refer to www.sialis.org for



all and any information regarding bluebirds and being a Bluebird Monitor. You



can also access the Bluebird-L Archives, to see where these questions have been



answered in the past. 




Of course, we're all learning new things all the time, so don't think



you can't ask it here. 




We've only scratched the surface.




 




dr



Subject:

box pest query




Date: Tue, 16 Mar 2010 17:29:20 -0400




From: Jill.Lee AT pgparks.com




To: bluebird-l AT cornell.edu

Hey



List!
 
I’m



getting my parks’ bluebird trails ready for the season and met with some



other trail care takers today.  They asked me what to do about ants and I



wasn’t sure what to tell them.  I’ve seen some written sources



say that you can spray the box with something, but even if it’s not bug



spray, I get very leery of spraying the insides of the boxes.  So, does



anyone have a better suggestion?  One person I talked to suggested using



the same substance used to keep gypsy moths off the trees, but apply it to the



post of the box.  Would that work?  Would something simple like



Vaseline around the post work?  (It’s a 4x4 wood post.) 
 
I’m



also wondering about wasp prevention.
 
 
Thanks,
Jill

Lee
Lusby, MD
 
 



Hotmail:



Trusted email with powerful SPAM protection. Sign up



now.
 


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Subject: RE: box pest query
From: "Bet Zimmerman" <ezdz AT charter.net>
Date: Thu, 18 Mar 2010 10:20:29 -0400
Good points Charlene - I have trouble getting the soap in the corners (probably 
I should cut a pointy piece) and it flakes (need to cover active nests with 
paper towel), but it’s worked okay for me – I think I had somewhat better 
luck tho with the Vaseline. I am careful about getting then excess off because 
I worry about getting it on wings too during exercise. Also, I don’t use it 
on side walls which European wasps will build on (natives build on the 
underside of the roof) so soap is better there. 


 

Bet

 

From: ckanchor AT comcast.net [mailto:ckanchor AT comcast.net] 
Sent: Thursday, March 18, 2010 10:14 AM
To: Bet Zimmerman
Cc: Jill' 'Lee; bluebird-l AT list.cornell.edu
Subject: RE: box pest query

 

From what is being said I understand that the vaseline works well. Personally I 
would rather not use it due to the messiness. Also, how would one know that it 
might not get on the birds' feathers, especially nestlings who may be jumping 
around and flapping their wings near fledging time? The ivory soap has worked 
for me and is easier to use. 


Charlene Anchor
E C Illinois

----- Original Message -----
From: Bet Zimmerman 
To: Jill' 'Lee 
Cc: bluebird-l AT list.cornell.edu
Sent: Thu, 18 Mar 2010 12:08:34 +0000 (UTC)
Subject: RE: box pest query

Info on deterring wasps here:  http://www.sialis.org/paperwasp.htm. 

I’ve tried multiple methods myself and light coating of Vaseline (excess

wiped off with paper towel) is messy to apply but works as well as anything,

coupled with squishing with a pallet knife.  I like the tube idea Duane, I

was using a travel size jar and it was messy!

 

For blackflies, some folks use Flys-Away. http://www.sialis.org/blackflies.htm

 

I would NEVER spray something in a box unless I was pretty

CERTAIN it would do no harm.  

 

I second the Bluebird Monitor’s Guide

recommendation!  My personal fave.  Other book recommendations

here:  http://www.sialis.org/books.htm

with reviews.

 

Bet from CT

 

From: Lee, Jill

[mailto:Jill.Lee AT pgparks.com] 
Sent: Wednesday, March 17, 2010 7:41 AM
Subject: RE: box pest query

 

Thanks Duane, I may try that (though I’m replying before

reading the other suggestions).  This trail is one of many that I

coordinate at work (I’m a Park Ranger).  I check a couple trails

myself, but the vast majority are checked by volunteers (YAY!).  I

received this job when a co-worker left last year, and it’s one of my

favorite assignments.  

 

Now, at home is a different situation.  I’ve seen EABL

in the neighborhood, but not in my yard yet.  I thought I’d try to

attract them w/ a feeder w/ food (alternating between mealworms and fruit) and

if it worked and I saw any in the yard, I would put up a box...I’m

starting to wonder if I shouldn’t have tried it the other way around now.

 

Jill Lee

Lusby,

MD

  _____  

From: Duane Rice

[mailto:drbirdsong4 AT hotmail.com] 
Sent: Tuesday, March 16, 2010 5:54 PM
To: Lee, Jill; Bluebird L
Subject: RE: box pest query

 

Since

you seem to have taken the plunge and taken it seriously, go pick up a copy of

the Bluebird Monitor's Guide book at your local booksore or at Amamzon Books.

You won't regret it, and you will be referring to it often. 


Ants.


Different things work in different places. I use a gel that comes in a tube,

spread sparingly along the inside seams of the infested box, under the

nest, of course.


Waps. 


Same thing. Different strokes for different folks.


I use a tube of petroleum jelly spread along the inside top and top part of the

walls. 


To remove nests already in place? Do it on a cool morning, before the

wasps are active. Use a long handled spatula or scraper. Leave the box open for

a while, if it's unoccupied by birds, which it probably won't be, since they

won't use a box with a wasp nest in it....usually. 


As always, refer to www.sialis.org for

all and any information regarding bluebirds and being a Bluebird Monitor. You

can also access the Bluebird-L Archives, to see where these questions have been

answered in the past. 


Of course, we're all learning new things all the time, so don't think

you can't ask it here. 


We've only scratched the surface.


 


dr

  _____  

Subject: box pest query


Date: Tue, 16 Mar 2010 17:29:20 -0400


From: Jill.Lee AT pgparks.com


To: bluebird-l AT cornell.edu

Hey

List!

 

I’m

getting my parks’ bluebird trails ready for the season and met with some

other trail care takers today.  They asked me what to do about ants and I

wasn’t sure what to tell them.  I’ve seen some written sources

say that you can spray the box with something, but even if it’s not bug

spray, I get very leery of spraying the insides of the boxes.  So, does

anyone have a better suggestion?  One person I talked to suggested using

the same substance used to keep gypsy moths off the trees, but apply it to the

post of the box.  Would that work?  Would something simple like

Vaseline around the post work?  (It’s a 4x4 wood post.) 

 

I’m

also wondering about wasp prevention.

 

 

Thanks,

Jill Lee

Lusby, MD

 

 

  _____  

Hotmail:

Trusted email with powerful SPAM protection. Sign up 
 


now.

 


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Subject: RE: box pest query
From: ckanchor AT comcast.net
Date: Thu, 18 Mar 2010 14:14:23 +0000 (UTC)
From what is being said I understand that the vaseline works well. Personally I 
would rather not use it due to the messiness. Also, how would one know that it 
might not get on the birds' feathers, especially nestlings who may be jumping 
around and flapping their wings near fledging time? The ivory soap has worked 
for me and is easier to use. 


Charlene Anchor
E C Illinois

----- Original Message -----
From: Bet Zimmerman 
To: Jill' 'Lee 
Cc: bluebird-l AT list.cornell.edu
Sent: Thu, 18 Mar 2010 12:08:34 +0000 (UTC)
Subject: RE: box pest query



Info on deterring wasps here:  http://www.sialis.org/paperwasp.htm. 

I’ve tried multiple methods myself and light coating of Vaseline (excess

wiped off with paper towel) is messy to apply but works as well as anything,

coupled with squishing with a pallet knife.  I like the tube idea Duane, I

was using a travel size jar and it was messy!
 
For blackflies, some folks use Flys-Away. http://www.sialis.org/blackflies.htm
 
I would NEVER spray something in a box unless I was pretty

CERTAIN it would do no harm.  
 
I second the Bluebird Monitor’s Guide

recommendation!  My personal fave.  Other book recommendations

here:  http://www.sialis.org/books.htm

with reviews.
 
Bet from CT
 


From: Lee, Jill

[mailto:Jill.Lee AT pgparks.com] 
Sent: Wednesday, March 17, 2010 7:41 AM
Subject: RE: box pest query
 
Thanks Duane, I may try that (though I’m replying before

reading the other suggestions).  This trail is one of many that I

coordinate at work (I’m a Park Ranger).  I check a couple trails

myself, but the vast majority are checked by volunteers (YAY!).  I

received this job when a co-worker left last year, and it’s one of my

favorite assignments.  
 
Now, at home is a different situation.  I’ve seen EABL

in the neighborhood, but not in my yard yet.  I thought I’d try to

attract them w/ a feeder w/ food (alternating between mealworms and fruit) and

if it worked and I saw any in the yard, I would put up a box...I’m

starting to wonder if I shouldn’t have tried it the other way around now.
 

Jill Lee
Lusby,

MD




From: Duane Rice

[mailto:drbirdsong4 AT hotmail.com] 
Sent: Tuesday, March 16, 2010 5:54 PM
To: Lee, Jill; Bluebird L
Subject: RE: box pest query
 
Since

you seem to have taken the plunge and taken it seriously, go pick up a copy of

the Bluebird Monitor's Guide book at your local booksore or at Amamzon Books.

You won't regret it, and you will be referring to it often. 


Ants.


Different things work in different places. I use a gel that comes in a tube,

spread sparingly along the inside seams of the infested box, under the

nest, of course.


Waps. 


Same thing. Different strokes for different folks.


I use a tube of petroleum jelly spread along the inside top and top part of the

walls. 


To remove nests already in place? Do it on a cool morning, before the

wasps are active. Use a long handled spatula or scraper. Leave the box open for

a while, if it's unoccupied by birds, which it probably won't be, since they

won't use a box with a wasp nest in it....usually. 


As always, refer to www.sialis.org for

all and any information regarding bluebirds and being a Bluebird Monitor. You

can also access the Bluebird-L Archives, to see where these questions have been

answered in the past. 


Of course, we're all learning new things all the time, so don't think

you can't ask it here. 


We've only scratched the surface.


 


dr



Subject: box pest query


Date: Tue, 16 Mar 2010 17:29:20 -0400


From: Jill.Lee AT pgparks.com


To: bluebird-l AT cornell.edu

Hey

List!
 
I’m

getting my parks’ bluebird trails ready for the season and met with some

other trail care takers today.  They asked me what to do about ants and I

wasn’t sure what to tell them.  I’ve seen some written sources

say that you can spray the box with something, but even if it’s not bug

spray, I get very leery of spraying the insides of the boxes.  So, does

anyone have a better suggestion?  One person I talked to suggested using

the same substance used to keep gypsy moths off the trees, but apply it to the

post of the box.  Would that work?  Would something simple like

Vaseline around the post work?  (It’s a 4x4 wood post.) 
 
I’m

also wondering about wasp prevention.
 
 
Thanks,
Jill Lee
Lusby, MD
 
 



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Subject: RE: box pest query
From: "Bet Zimmerman" <ezdz AT charter.net>
Date: Thu, 18 Mar 2010 08:08:34 -0400
Info on deterring wasps here:  http://www.sialis.org/paperwasp.htm.  I've
tried multiple methods myself and light coating of Vaseline (excess wiped
off with paper towel) is messy to apply but works as well as anything,
coupled with squishing with a pallet knife.  I like the tube idea Duane, I
was using a travel size jar and it was messy!

 

For blackflies, some folks use Flys-Away.
http://www.sialis.org/blackflies.htm 

 

I would NEVER spray something in a box unless I was pretty CERTAIN it would
do no harm.  

 

I second the Bluebird Monitor's Guide recommendation!  My personal fave.
Other book recommendations here:  http://www.sialis.org/books.htm with
reviews.

 

Bet from CT

 

From: Lee, Jill [mailto:Jill.Lee AT pgparks.com] 
Sent: Wednesday, March 17, 2010 7:41 AM
Subject: RE: box pest query

 

Thanks Duane, I may try that (though I'm replying before reading the other
suggestions).  This trail is one of many that I coordinate at work (I'm a
Park Ranger).  I check a couple trails myself, but the vast majority are
checked by volunteers (YAY!).  I received this job when a co-worker left
last year, and it's one of my favorite assignments.  

 

Now, at home is a different situation.  I've seen EABL in the neighborhood,
but not in my yard yet.  I thought I'd try to attract them w/ a feeder w/
food (alternating between mealworms and fruit) and if it worked and I saw
any in the yard, I would put up a box...I'm starting to wonder if I
shouldn't have tried it the other way around now.

 

Jill Lee

Lusby, MD

  _____  

From: Duane Rice [mailto:drbirdsong4 AT hotmail.com] 
Sent: Tuesday, March 16, 2010 5:54 PM
To: Lee, Jill; Bluebird L
Subject: RE: box pest query

 

Since you seem to have taken the plunge and taken it seriously, go pick up a
copy of the Bluebird Monitor's Guide book at your local booksore or at
Amamzon Books. You won't regret it, and you will be referring to it often. 
Ants.
Different things work in different places. I use a gel that comes in a tube,
spread sparingly along the inside seams of the infested box, under the nest,
of course.
Waps. 
Same thing. Different strokes for different folks.
I use a tube of petroleum jelly spread along the inside top and top part of
the walls. 
To remove nests already in place? Do it on a cool morning, before the wasps
are active. Use a long handled spatula or scraper. Leave the box open for a
while, if it's unoccupied by birds, which it probably won't be, since they
won't use a box with a wasp nest in it....usually. 
As always, refer to www.sialis.org for all and any information regarding
bluebirds and being a Bluebird Monitor. You can also access the Bluebird-L
Archives, to see where these questions have been answered in the past. 
Of course, we're all learning new things all the time, so don't think you
can't ask it here. 
We've only scratched the surface.
 
dr

  _____  

Subject: box pest query
Date: Tue, 16 Mar 2010 17:29:20 -0400
From: Jill.Lee AT pgparks.com
To: bluebird-l AT cornell.edu

Hey List!

 

I'm getting my parks' bluebird trails ready for the season and met with some
other trail care takers today.  They asked me what to do about ants and I
wasn't sure what to tell them.  I've seen some written sources say that you
can spray the box with something, but even if it's not bug spray, I get very
leery of spraying the insides of the boxes.  So, does anyone have a better
suggestion?  One person I talked to suggested using the same substance used
to keep gypsy moths off the trees, but apply it to the post of the box.
Would that work?  Would something simple like Vaseline around the post work?
(It's a 4x4 wood post.) 

 

I'm also wondering about wasp prevention.

 

 

Thanks,

Jill Lee

Lusby, MD

 

 

  _____  

Hotmail: Trusted email with powerful SPAM protection. Sign up
  now.


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Subject: Eggs
From: "Christina Packard" <ke4fej1 AT msn.com>
Date: Wed, 17 Mar 2010 22:10:54 -0400
Hi All, I just got another report of a box now with 2 eggs in it! I did check 
with the lady who had the 4 eggs laid on Feb 16, she said that they did not 
hatch but the Mom is not getting off of them. I told her they could be good up 
to a month. I do not know much more on how long they could be good before she 
could sit on them with success. She wanted to toss them and empty the box, and 
did not know that there might be a chance. That same box last year had early 
eggs and bad eggs. 


The new 2 egg nest is on another 22 box trail. Both families now are using or 
going to use the Cornell site to self report, which I think is great. Reporting 
everyone's reports took a LOT of time. I really am pushing that Monitors do 
their own reporting. I am finding it is more important to me to educate people 
and get those boxes out and up. 


Lots of reports of nests and starts etc. I visited a Monitor that for years had 
BBs visit his property but not nest. I got to watch a pair building a nest that 
day. He mostly has great success with his Martins, and now has 87 places for 
them to nest. 


Christy


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Subject: Re: My spring BB couple
From: Jim Harrison <jimh_listserv AT verizon.net>
Date: Wed, 17 Mar 2010 22:00:47 -0400
Oh, my wife of course.  The female just sits on the box and watches the 
male in amusement at his antics at the window.  Oh, we have been 
hooked.  I had my first pair 2 years ago but the box was way in the back 
of my 1 acre lot.  Hard to see anything but some feeding activity and 
heads out the hole while laying on eggs.  Having them this close is a 
whole new experience.  I love it.  I also have a 10 box trail on Paul 
Kilduff's Oregon Ridge trail.  I don't know the total # of boxes, but 
there are 4 monitors I think so probably 50+ total.  Paul can chip in.  
No HOSP that I've observed yet - just those pesky HOWRs.  I have not 
seen them yet though.  We have tons of HOSPs at work and I put in a 
suggestion to move the Peterson boxes they have there to serviceable 
areas because I doubt they are monitored.  I told them if they don't 
monitor, then take down the boxes as they do more harm than good.

On 3/17/2010 8:28 PM, Paula Ziebarth wrote:
> Jim,
>
> I have to ask.  Who is trained, the female Eastern Bluebird or your 
> wife? :) It sounds as though you are both hooked.  Enjoy them.  If you 
> give them a safe place to nest and keep the House Sparrows out of 
> their box, they will be with you year after year.
>
> Paula
>
>
> ----- Original Message ----- From: Jim Harrison
> To: BLUEBIRD-L
> Cc: Jim
> Sent: Wednesday, March 17, 2010 7:05 PM
> Subject: Re: My spring BB couple
>
>
> This is really too cool having the birds close in.  They own the patio 
> area and my wife.  She works at home most mornings  so she was home 
> today and actually got out my meal worms (she hates touching them) and 
> fed them several times.  She is now totally trained and they sit out 
> there staring in our sliding glass doors (see pictures below) as if 
> asking for more worms.  I just ordered 2000 from NY Worms so that 
> should get them thru a few batches of babies.  I am surprised they 
> have not built a nest yet.  My wife is afraid they might leave, and I 
> told her no way now.  They are establishing their ownership of this 
> yard and chasing off other birds vigorously including that one in the 
> window.  I bought the tinted plastic but will probably not attempt to 
> put it up until we get some extended temps above 40. In the mean time, 
> I moved the screen on the sliders half way open/closed so it covers 
> half of both sides.  Seems to have subdued his bashing some.  He still 
> likes to cling to the screen and peer in at us.  Boy, this is gonna be 
> one fun summer!!!!!!  ;-)))))))))))))
>
> 
http://www2.snapfish.com/thumbnailshare/AlbumID=4166686013/a=129240652_129240652/otsc=SHR/otsi=SALBlink/COBRAND_NAME=snapfish/ 

>
>
>
> On 3/17/2010 2:45 PM, Jim wrote:
> Well it looks like the pair I reported on yesterday are here to stay - 
> unfortunately, the male has discovered our sliding glass windows and 
> his reflection.  Being is very protective state of mind he is bashing 
> the glass repleatedly, alarming my wife.  Does anyone know an 
> inexpensive film or outdoor hanging that won't obstuct the view, but 
> will keep him from seeing his reflection - I'll tape newspaper up if I 
> have to, but I'd prefer keeping the view if I can.  I called our local 
> wild bird store and other than decals, which don't work, he doesn't 
> have any ideas.  Droll Yankee used to carry something called Spiderweb 
> but they don't list it anymore.   There is a product called 
> CollidEscape which is pretty expensive, but if that's all I can find 
> I"ll get it.  Thanks!
>
> Jim - Jarrettsville, MD
>

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Subject: OT (mostly): interesting birds in central CO
From: Tina Mitchell <ztsipapu AT hotmail.com>
Date: Wed, 17 Mar 2010 19:44:06 -0600
Tina Mitchell
Coaldale, CO (central CO in pinyon/juniper habitat at about 7,000')

Hi, list folks--

A few more signs of the beginnings of avian spring here in the shadow of the 
northern Sangre de Cristo Mtns.--Juniper Titmouse singing at the very top of a 
nest box tree; both Mountain and Black-capped Chickadees singing (although the 
latter has never nested up here--but I continue to hope...); White-breasted 
Nuthatches doing mating-chasing. We ended up with about 12" of snow from a 
storm that lasted almost 23 hours from early Sunday into Monday (probably 
another 3-4" fell and melted early on). Thanks to the amazing Colorado sun and 
dry air (and 60-degree temps), it has now pretty much melted any place the sun 
hits. But the north-facing slopes and the valleys they shade are still socked 
in and probably will be for a while. I've only been able to get to about 50% of 
the nest boxes for a pre-season clean-up--and another snow bout is expected on 
Friday. Maybe I can get to them the following weekend... 


But that's not the main reason I'm writing. While we're waiting for the real 
nest box action to start, we've had some interesting spottings. In a gorgeous 
cliff nest overlooking the Arkansas River where a pair of Golden Eagles raised 
a pair of young last year, we spotted a Common Raven looking like she was 
hunkered down and incubating. This is about the time the Goldens started 
refurbishing the nest last year, so I'm wondering if the ravens might get 
evicted. The Goldens didn't use the nest site in 2007 or 2008; maybe they 
aren't planning on using it this year. We shall see. Raven nests are hard to 
find out here; in the Breeding Bird Atlas, only 25 nests in the entire state 
were confirmed with young actually in them. Most breeding was confirmed by 
seeing dependent young with their parents. It would be fun to follow a family 
just by stepping out of our car on a dirt road on the other side of the river 
and setting up the scope. My kind of atlasing. (Bet--this is the nest site you 
saw last May when you were here.) 


We also stopped at the bridge over the Arkansas where the American Dippers 
often nest. The state seems to be improving the boat ramp that is just upriver 
from the bridge and has a front-end loader down there moving rocks around and 
making a general mess. If I were the dippers, I would not be considering 
nesting there this year unless they finish up right quick. They'll probably be 
done before whitewater rafting season starts (early May), but that'll probably 
be too late for the dippers. Bummer (although I'm sure the rafters will be 
appreciative). 


And most interesting was an aural spotting last night. Since early January, 
I've gone out with the dogs at about 10 p.m. to listen for a Northern Saw-whet 
Owl. (Last year, we had a male calling from mid-January until early May and we 
raced to put up some bigger boxes in case he was interested. But I don't think 
he ever convinced a female to give it a try. And I haven't heard a single 
"toot" this season. Alas.) But last night, far off in the distance to the south 
or southeast, I heard what was probably a Mexican Spotted Owl calling. I've 
never heard one before. But as Zell and I were straining to hear it, I 
commented to him that it reminded me of a short version of a Barred Owl's call 
(which we REALLY don't have here)--especially that descending last syllable 
(the "all" of "who cooks for you-aaaalllll", if you know Barred Owl calls). I 
listened to Spotted Owl calls on the Cornell Web site today (sounded sort of 
close) and wrote to our ornithologist friend to see it was even a possibility. 
(Southern CO is at the very northern range of Spotted Owls in this area and 
most maps don't include Coaldale in that range. But when you have wings, almost 
anything is possible.) He said that it all sounded good for Spotted Owl. (And 
this normally nonchalant birder even volunteered to drive up from the eastern 
plains to listen for it himself. That must mean it's really something special. 
But I suggested he wait until we've heard it a few more times before he makes 
the 200+-mile trek--much as we enjoy his company.) Spotted Owls are indeed in 
the same genus as Barred Owls, so the vocal similarities fit too. How very fun! 
You can bet I'll be out on the patio each evening now with a renewed mission. 


 

Tina
http://sipapu.wordpress.com/ (information about central Colorado's 
pinyon/juniper habitat) 

http://galapagos2009.wordpress.com/ (a detailed trip report about our 2009 trip 
to Ecuador and the Galpagos Islands) 







 		 	   		  
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Subject: Hummingbirds - a poem
From: "Bob Walshaw" <walshaw1 AT cox.net>
Date: Wed, 17 Mar 2010 20:20:23 -0500
      THE HUMMINGBIRDS

A sight we love every spring,
The arrival of the Hummers.
They add so much to every day
And brighten every summer.

There is always one bully
Who chases the others away,
But we keep the feeders far apart
To keep them all in play.

We think we need to help them
But they have the flowers of May.
We feed them to please ourselves
So they won't be far away.

There is one busy male
With his ruby throat
Who loves to dive at me,
A reckless little showboat!

The females visit the feeders
But they eat insects too.
They have to get some protein
For those in the nest that are new.

We watch them as they hover,
It seems an impossible feat.
Hanging in one spot in the air
Searching for something to eat.

And at the end of summer
As we see them start to leave
It is one more of summer's losses
That we never fail to grieve.

By Bob Walshaw, NE OK.



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Subject: Re: My spring BB couple
From: "Bob Walshaw" <walshaw1 AT cox.net>
Date: Wed, 17 Mar 2010 19:37:11 -0500
Charlotte Jernigan (An early NABS President and the founder of the Oklahoma 
Bluebird Society) has a little bell that she rings and the bluebirds come to 
her as she puts out mealworms. Bob Walshaw, NE OK. 

  ----- Original Message ----- 
  From: Debbie 
  To: Jim Harrison 
  Cc: bluebird-l AT cornell.edu 
  Sent: Wednesday, March 17, 2010 7:13 PM
  Subject: Re: My spring BB couple


 My pair sit on my porch swing and when they want worms they peck the window. 
They have me trained well. 

  
  Debbie
  In n central texas

  Sent from my iPhone

  On Mar 17, 2010, at 6:28 PM, Jim Harrison  wrote:


 He seemed to be more calmed down when I got home and was batting at the glass, 
but not hard. It is too freaking cool to have them this close. Everyone should 
try this location. I was mildly surprised that they chose it, but it is great 
and they KNOW we are here and feeding them. The bribes are working!! ;-))))))) 


    On 3/17/2010 6:35 PM, Paula Ziebarth wrote: 
      Jim, 

 One trick to try (may or may not work) is to tie aluminum pie tin so it sort 
of dangles in front of window. Movement and shininess can deter them. One thing 
that works great, but totally obscures your view, is to take a damp rag with a 
little toothpaste and smear it on outside of window. It leaves a murky film and 
he can no longer see his reflection. It cleans off very easily. If you have a 
window screen, put that on window. That often takes care of the problem. Both 
these solutions are very cheap ones. 


 Bird hits are different from the window attacking you are seeing right now. 
Bird hits happen when they see the reflection of the sky and landscape and 
think they have a clear shot to fly on through. They hit window with full force 
and often are killed. Window attacking is male seeing his reflection in the 
window and trying to drive the "rival" male out of his territory. That "rival" 
male is just as aggressive as he is and anticipates his every move - must be 
very upsetting and frustrating for the poor guy. The good news is he probably 
isn't going to really hurt himself, just drive you all a little crazy. 


 Generally, they calm down a bit and stop attacking the windows after the eggs 
hatch. He will have more important things to do then. 


      Paula Z 
      powell (Central) Ohio 


      ----- Original Message ----- From: Jim 
      To: Lee, Jill ; bluebird-l AT cornell.edu 
      Sent: Wednesday, March 17, 2010 3:49 PM 
      Subject: Re: My spring BB couple 


 I read about something like that. I'm not sure the decal route would work. We 
use that in the building where I work and it does nothing. There are always 
dead birds laying on the ground outside. 


 I did some more searching and found a dark tint plastic film that you apply 
OUTSIDE the window - both Lowes and HD carry it.. You can still see out 
(darkens the room, that's fine), but I am hoping elminiates the reflection. 
Will let everyone know tomorrow. Otherwise I might have to try a more opaque 
design with some clear spots for viewing outside. 









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Subject: Re: My spring BB couple
From: "Paula Ziebarth" <paulaz AT columbus.rr.com>
Date: Wed, 17 Mar 2010 20:28:45 -0400
Jim,

I have to ask.  Who is trained, the female Eastern Bluebird or your wife? :) 
It sounds as though you are both hooked.  Enjoy them.  If you give them a 
safe place to nest and keep the House Sparrows out of their box, they will 
be with you year after year.

Paula


----- Original Message ----- 
From: Jim Harrison
To: BLUEBIRD-L
Cc: Jim
Sent: Wednesday, March 17, 2010 7:05 PM
Subject: Re: My spring BB couple


This is really too cool having the birds close in.  They own the patio area 
and my wife.  She works at home most mornings  so she was home today and 
actually got out my meal worms (she hates touching them) and fed them 
several times.  She is now totally trained and they sit out there staring in 
our sliding glass doors (see pictures below) as if asking for more worms.  I 
just ordered 2000 from NY Worms so that should get them thru a few batches 
of babies.  I am surprised they have not built a nest yet.  My wife is 
afraid they might leave, and I told her no way now.  They are establishing 
their ownership of this yard and chasing off other birds vigorously 
including that one in the window.  I bought the tinted plastic but will 
probably not attempt to put it up until we get some extended temps above 40. 
In the mean time, I moved the screen on the sliders half way open/closed so 
it covers half of both sides.  Seems to have subdued his bashing some.  He 
still likes to cling to the screen and peer in at us.  Boy, this is gonna be 
one fun summer!!!!!!  ;-)))))))))))))


http://www2.snapfish.com/thumbnailshare/AlbumID=4166686013/a=129240652_129240652/otsc=SHR/otsi=SALBlink/COBRAND_NAME=snapfish/ 



On 3/17/2010 2:45 PM, Jim wrote:
Well it looks like the pair I reported on yesterday are here to stay - 
unfortunately, the male has discovered our sliding glass windows and his 
reflection.  Being is very protective state of mind he is bashing the glass 
repleatedly, alarming my wife.  Does anyone know an inexpensive film or 
outdoor hanging that won't obstuct the view, but will keep him from seeing 
his reflection - I'll tape newspaper up if I have to, but I'd prefer keeping 
the view if I can.  I called our local wild bird store and other than 
decals, which don't work, he doesn't have any ideas.  Droll Yankee used to 
carry something called Spiderweb but they don't list it anymore.   There is 
a product called CollidEscape which is pretty expensive, but if that's all I 
can find I"ll get it.  Thanks!

Jim - Jarrettsville, MD 


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Subject: Re: My spring BB couple
From: Debbie <canchaser321 AT aol.com>
Date: Wed, 17 Mar 2010 19:13:42 -0500
My pair sit on my porch swing and when they want worms they peck the  
window. They have me trained well.

Debbie
In n central texas

Sent from my iPhone

On Mar 17, 2010, at 6:28 PM, Jim Harrison   
wrote:

> He seemed to be more calmed down when I got home and was batting at  
> the glass, but not hard.  It is too freaking cool to have them this  
> close.  Everyone should try this location.  I was mildly surprised  
> that they chose it, but it is great and they KNOW we are here and  
> feeding them.  The bribes are working!! ;-)))))))
>
> On 3/17/2010 6:35 PM, Paula Ziebarth wrote:
>>
>> Jim,
>>
>> One trick to try (may or may not work) is to tie aluminum pie tin  
>> so it sort of dangles in front of window.  Movement and shininess  
>> can deter them.  One thing that works great, but totally obscures  
>> your view, is to take a damp rag with a little toothpaste and smear  
>> it on outside of window.  It leaves a murky film and he can no  
>> longer see his reflection.  It cleans off very easily.  If you have  
>> a window screen, put that on window.  That often takes care of the  
>> problem.  Both these solutions are very cheap ones.
>>
>> Bird hits are different from the window attacking you are seeing  
>> right now. Bird hits happen when they see the reflection of the sky  
>> and landscape and think they have a clear shot to fly on through.   
>> They hit window with full force and often are killed.  Window  
>> attacking is male seeing his reflection in the window and trying to  
>> drive the "rival" male out of his territory. That "rival" male is  
>> just as aggressive as he is and anticipates his every move - must  
>> be very upsetting and frustrating for the poor guy.  The good news  
>> is he probably isn't going to really hurt himself, just drive you  
>> all a little crazy.
>>
>> Generally, they calm down a bit and stop attacking the windows  
>> after the eggs hatch.  He will have more important things to do then.
>>
>> Paula Z
>> powell (Central) Ohio
>>
>>
>> ----- Original Message ----- From: Jim
>> To: Lee, Jill ; bluebird-l AT cornell.edu
>> Sent: Wednesday, March 17, 2010 3:49 PM
>> Subject: Re: My spring BB couple
>>
>>
>> I read about something like that.   I'm not sure the decal route  
>> would work. We use that in the building where I work and it does  
>> nothing.  There are always dead birds laying on the ground outside.
>>
>> I did some more searching and found a dark tint plastic film that  
>> you apply OUTSIDE the window - both Lowes and HD carry it..  You  
>> can still see out (darkens the room, that's fine), but I am hoping  
>> elminiates the reflection. Will let everyone know tomorrow.   
>> Otherwise I might have to try a more opaque design with some clear  
>> spots for viewing outside.
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>

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Subject: Re: My spring BB couple
From: Jim Harrison <jimh_listserv AT verizon.net>
Date: Wed, 17 Mar 2010 19:28:55 -0400
He seemed to be more calmed down when I got home and was batting at the 
glass, but not hard.  It is too freaking cool to have them this close.  
Everyone should try this location.  I was mildly surprised that they 
chose it, but it is great and they KNOW we are here and feeding them.  
The bribes are working!! ;-)))))))

On 3/17/2010 6:35 PM, Paula Ziebarth wrote:
> Jim,
>
> One trick to try (may or may not work) is to tie aluminum pie tin so 
> it sort of dangles in front of window.  Movement and shininess can 
> deter them.  One thing that works great, but totally obscures your 
> view, is to take a damp rag with a little toothpaste and smear it on 
> outside of window.  It leaves a murky film and he can no longer see 
> his reflection.  It cleans off very easily.  If you have a window 
> screen, put that on window.  That often takes care of the problem.  
> Both these solutions are very cheap ones.
>
> Bird hits are different from the window attacking you are seeing right 
> now. Bird hits happen when they see the reflection of the sky and 
> landscape and think they have a clear shot to fly on through.  They 
> hit window with full force and often are killed.  Window attacking is 
> male seeing his reflection in the window and trying to drive the 
> "rival" male out of his territory. That "rival" male is just as 
> aggressive as he is and anticipates his every move - must be very 
> upsetting and frustrating for the poor guy.  The good news is he 
> probably isn't going to really hurt himself, just drive you all a 
> little crazy.
>
> Generally, they calm down a bit and stop attacking the windows after 
> the eggs hatch.  He will have more important things to do then.
>
> Paula Z
> powell (Central) Ohio
>
>
> ----- Original Message ----- From: Jim
> To: Lee, Jill ; bluebird-l AT cornell.edu
> Sent: Wednesday, March 17, 2010 3:49 PM
> Subject: Re: My spring BB couple
>
>
> I read about something like that.   I'm not sure the decal route would 
> work. We use that in the building where I work and it does nothing.  
> There are always dead birds laying on the ground outside.
>
> I did some more searching and found a dark tint plastic film that you 
> apply OUTSIDE the window - both Lowes and HD carry it..  You can still 
> see out (darkens the room, that's fine), but I am hoping elminiates 
> the reflection. Will let everyone know tomorrow.  Otherwise I might 
> have to try a more opaque design with some clear spots for viewing 
> outside.
>
>
>
>
>
>
>

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Subject: Re: My spring BB couple
From: Jim Harrison <jimh_listserv AT verizon.net>
Date: Wed, 17 Mar 2010 19:05:14 -0400
This is really too cool having the birds close in.  They own the patio 
area and my wife.  She works at home most mornings  so she was home 
today and actually got out my meal worms (she hates touching them) and 
fed them several times.  She is now totally trained and they sit out 
there staring in our sliding glass doors (see pictures below) as if 
asking for more worms.  I just ordered 2000 from NY Worms so that should 
get them thru a few batches of babies.  I am surprised they have not 
built a nest yet.  My wife is afraid they might leave, and I told her no 
way now.  They are establishing their ownership of this yard and chasing 
off other birds vigorously including that one in the window.  I bought 
the tinted plastic but will probably not attempt to put it up until we 
get some extended temps above 40.  In the mean time, I moved the screen 
on the sliders half way open/closed so it covers half of both sides.  
Seems to have subdued his bashing some.  He still likes to cling to the 
screen and peer in at us.  Boy, this is gonna be one fun summer!!!!!!  
;-)))))))))))))


http://www2.snapfish.com/thumbnailshare/AlbumID=4166686013/a=129240652_129240652/otsc=SHR/otsi=SALBlink/COBRAND_NAME=snapfish/ 



On 3/17/2010 2:45 PM, Jim wrote:
>
> Well it looks like the pair I reported on yesterday are here to stay - 
> unfortunately, the male has discovered our sliding glass windows and 
> his reflection.  Being is very protective state of mind he is bashing 
> the glass repleatedly, alarming my wife.  Does anyone know an 
> inexpensive film or outdoor hanging that won't obstuct the view, but 
> will keep him from seeing his reflection - I'll tape newspaper up if I 
> have to, but I'd prefer keeping the view if I can.  I called our local 
> wild bird store and other than decals, which don't work, he doesn't 
> have any ideas.  Droll Yankee used to carry something called Spiderweb 
> but they don't list it anymore.   There is a product called 
> CollidEscape which is pretty expensive, but if that's all I can find 
> I"ll get it.  Thanks!
>
> Jim - Jarrettsville, MD
>

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Subject: Re: My spring BB couple
From: "Paula Ziebarth" <paulaz AT columbus.rr.com>
Date: Wed, 17 Mar 2010 18:35:03 -0400
Jim,

One trick to try (may or may not work) is to tie aluminum pie tin so it sort 
of dangles in front of window.  Movement and shininess can deter them.  One 
thing that works great, but totally obscures your view, is to take a damp 
rag with a little toothpaste and smear it on outside of window.  It leaves a 
murky film and he can no longer see his reflection.  It cleans off very 
easily.  If you have a window screen, put that on window.  That often takes 
care of the problem.  Both these solutions are very cheap ones.

Bird hits are different from the window attacking you are seeing right now. 
Bird hits happen when they see the reflection of the sky and landscape and 
think they have a clear shot to fly on through.  They hit window with full 
force and often are killed.  Window attacking is male seeing his reflection 
in the window and trying to drive the "rival" male out of his territory. 
That "rival" male is just as aggressive as he is and anticipates his every 
move - must be very upsetting and frustrating for the poor guy.  The good 
news is he probably isn't going to really hurt himself, just drive you all a 
little crazy.

Generally, they calm down a bit and stop attacking the windows after the 
eggs hatch.  He will have more important things to do then.

Paula Z
powell (Central) Ohio


----- Original Message ----- 
From: Jim
To: Lee, Jill ; bluebird-l AT cornell.edu
Sent: Wednesday, March 17, 2010 3:49 PM
Subject: Re: My spring BB couple


I read about something like that.   I'm not sure the decal route would work. 
We use that in the building where I work and it does nothing.  There are 
always dead birds laying on the ground outside.

 I did some more searching and found a dark tint plastic film that you apply 
OUTSIDE the window - both Lowes and HD carry it..  You can still see out 
(darkens the room, that's fine), but I am hoping elminiates the reflection. 
Will let everyone know tomorrow.  Otherwise I might have to try a more 
opaque design with some clear spots for viewing outside.







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Subject: Re: My spring BB couple
From: Robert Barron <rebarron AT gmail.com>
Date: Wed, 17 Mar 2010 18:02:18 -0400
I've had good luck hanging black plastic deer fencing with a shim strip
frame to keep it a few inches away from the glass.

Rob Barron

On 17 March 2010 16:20, Bob Walshaw  wrote:

>  The simplest and cheapest is to hang strips of Mylar (a type of plastic
> sheeting).Bob Walshaw, NE OK.
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> *From:* Jim 
> *To:* BLUEBIRD-L 
> *Sent:* Wednesday, March 17, 2010 1:45 PM
> *Subject:* My spring BB couple
>
>  Well it looks like the pair I reported on yesterday are here to stay -
> unfortunately, the male has discovered our sliding glass windows and his
> reflection.  Being is very protective state of mind he is bashing the glass
> repleatedly, alarming my wife.  Does anyone know an inexpensive film or
> outdoor hanging that won't obstuct the view, but will keep him from seeing
> his reflection - I'll tape newspaper up if I have to, but I'd prefer keeping
> the view if I can.  I called our local wild bird store and other than
> decals, which don't work, he doesn't have any ideas.  Droll Yankee used to
> carry something called Spiderweb but they don't list it anymore.   There is
> a product called CollidEscape which is pretty expensive, but if that's all I
> can find I"ll get it.  Thanks!
>
>
>
> Jim - Jarrettsville, MD
>
>

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Subject: Re: My spring BB couple
From: "Bob Walshaw" <walshaw1 AT cox.net>
Date: Wed, 17 Mar 2010 15:20:47 -0500
The simplest and cheapest is to hang strips of Mylar (a type of plastic 
sheeting).Bob Walshaw, NE OK. 

  ----- Original Message ----- 
  From: Jim 
  To: BLUEBIRD-L 
  Sent: Wednesday, March 17, 2010 1:45 PM
  Subject: My spring BB couple


 Well it looks like the pair I reported on yesterday are here to stay - 
unfortunately, the male has discovered our sliding glass windows and his 
reflection. Being is very protective state of mind he is bashing the glass 
repleatedly, alarming my wife. Does anyone know an inexpensive film or outdoor 
hanging that won't obstuct the view, but will keep him from seeing his 
reflection - I'll tape newspaper up if I have to, but I'd prefer keeping the 
view if I can. I called our local wild bird store and other than decals, which 
don't work, he doesn't have any ideas. Droll Yankee used to carry something 
called Spiderweb but they don't list it anymore. There is a product called 
CollidEscape which is pretty expensive, but if that's all I can find I"ll get 
it. Thanks! 




  Jim - Jarrettsville, MD

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Subject: Re: My spring BB couple
From: Jim <jimh_listserv AT verizon.net>
Date: Wed, 17 Mar 2010 12:49:26 -0700 (PDT)
I read about something like that. I'm not sure the decal route would work. 
We use that in the building where I work and it does nothing. There are always 
dead birds laying on the ground outside. 


I did some more searching and found a dark tint plastic film that you apply 
OUTSIDE the window - both Lowes and HD carry it.. You can still see out 
(darkens the room, that's fine), but I am hoping elminiates the reflection. 
Will let everyone know tomorrow. Otherwise I might have to try a more opaque 
design with some clear spots for viewing outside. 





________________________________
From: "Lee, Jill" 
To: bluebird-l AT cornell.edu
Sent: Wed, March 17, 2010 3:36:03 PM
Subject: FW: My spring BB couple

I forgot to include the list on this...

-----Original Message-----
From: Lee, Jill 
Sent: Wednesday, March 17, 2010 3:31 PM
To: 'Jim'
Subject: RE: My spring BB couple

You might look at WindowAlert. http://www.nixalite.com/windowalertdecal.aspx 

They are UV clingies that we can't see (almost) but the birds can. Doesn't 
look too expensive either. 




Jill Lee
Lusby, MD________________________________________
From: bounce-5442577-11002060 AT list.cornell.edu 
[mailto:bounce-5442577-11002060 AT list.cornell.edu] On Behalf Of Jim 

Sent: Wednesday, March 17, 2010 2:45 PM
To: BLUEBIRD-L
Subject: My spring BB couple

Well it looks like the pair I reported on yesterday are here to stay - 
unfortunately, the male has discovered our sliding glass windows and his 
reflection. Being is very protective state of mind he is bashing the glass 
repleatedly, alarming my wife. Does anyone know an inexpensive film or outdoor 
hanging that won't obstuct the view, but will keep him from seeing his 
reflection - I'll tape newspaper up if I have to, but I'd prefer keeping the 
view if I can. I called our local wild bird store and other than decals, which 
don't work, he doesn't have any ideas. Droll Yankee used to carry something 
called Spiderweb but they don't list it anymore. There is a product called 
CollidEscape which is pretty expensive, but if that's all I can find I"ll get 
it. Thanks! 


Jim - Jarrettsville, MD


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Subject: FW: My spring BB couple
From: "Lee, Jill" <Jill.Lee AT pgparks.com>
Date: Wed, 17 Mar 2010 15:36:03 -0400
I forgot to include the list on this...

-----Original Message-----
From: Lee, Jill 
Sent: Wednesday, March 17, 2010 3:31 PM
To: 'Jim'
Subject: RE: My spring BB couple

You might look at WindowAlert.  http://www.nixalite.com/windowalertdecal.aspx  

They are UV clingies that we can't see (almost) but the birds can. Doesn't look 
too expensive either. 




Jill Lee
Lusby, MD________________________________________
From: bounce-5442577-11002060 AT list.cornell.edu 
[mailto:bounce-5442577-11002060 AT list.cornell.edu] On Behalf Of Jim 

Sent: Wednesday, March 17, 2010 2:45 PM
To: BLUEBIRD-L
Subject: My spring BB couple

Well it looks like the pair I reported on yesterday are here to stay - 
unfortunately, the male has discovered our sliding glass windows and his 
reflection. Being is very protective state of mind he is bashing the glass 
repleatedly, alarming my wife. Does anyone know an inexpensive film or outdoor 
hanging that won't obstuct the view, but will keep him from seeing his 
reflection - I'll tape newspaper up if I have to, but I'd prefer keeping the 
view if I can. I called our local wild bird store and other than decals, which 
don't work, he doesn't have any ideas. Droll Yankee used to carry something 
called Spiderweb but they don't list it anymore. There is a product called 
CollidEscape which is pretty expensive, but if that's all I can find I"ll get 
it. Thanks! 


Jim - Jarrettsville, MD


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Subject: My spring BB couple
From: Jim <jimh_listserv AT verizon.net>
Date: Wed, 17 Mar 2010 11:45:19 -0700 (PDT)
Well it looks like the pair I reported on yesterday are here to stay - 
unfortunately, the male has discovered our sliding glass windows and his 
reflection. Being is very protective state of mind he is bashing the glass 
repleatedly, alarming my wife. Does anyone know an inexpensive film or outdoor 
hanging that won't obstuct the view, but will keep him from seeing his 
reflection - I'll tape newspaper up if I have to, but I'd prefer keeping the 
view if I can. I called our local wild bird store and other than decals, which 
don't work, he doesn't have any ideas. Droll Yankee used to carry something 
called Spiderweb but they don't list it anymore. There is a product called 
CollidEscape which is pretty expensive, but if that's all I can find I"ll get 
it. Thanks! 


Jim - Jarrettsville, MD
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Subject: Re: Legality of sparrow & starling trapping
From: <txbluebirder AT suddenlink.net>
Date: Wed, 17 Mar 2010 11:11:15 -0500
In Texas we are supposed to have a state issued trappers license to even use a 
live trap to capture anything. $10.00 fee and you get a small booklet telling 
what is legal and illegal to do with trapping. Keith Kridler Calaveras County 
California 

---- Lynn Ward  wrote: 
> Hi folks,
> 
> Our state bluebird society was contacted by an Amish fellow in our state who 
had an encounter with a state Dept. of Natural Resources officer. 

> 
> Evidently this Amish man, who has BB and Martin housing, was trapping 
sparrows and starlings. The DNR guy told him it was illegal to do so without a 
permit. He went on to also say that it WAS OK however to shoot them without any 
license or permit! Does this make sense to you? It sure doesn't to me. 

> 
> Anyway, the officer took photos and left without issuing a citation. However, 
this is not uncommon. We think the guy might come back in a few days with the 
ticket. 

> 
> Companies have been making and selling lots of traps for years with no 
warnings or instructions regarding the legality of using them, that I've seen. 
This may be just a VERY isolated case of selective enforcement of a statute by 
an officer looking for a promotion. 

> 
> So, my question is, has anyone ever had such experiences with DNR or Fish & 
Wildlife officers or does anyone have knowledge of the legality of trapping 
without permits? 

> 
> (Please copy me on any replies as I receive the digest format.  Thanks.)
> 
> 
> Lynn Ward
> South Central Michigan
> 
> 
> 
> 
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Subject: Re: box pest query
From: "Bob Walshaw" <walshaw1 AT cox.net>
Date: Wed, 17 Mar 2010 09:17:31 -0500
Also closing boxes with a Phillips head screw instead 
an easy to open catch deters most vandals and curious 
folks.. People don't travel with a Phillips head 
screwdriver in their pocket. Bob Walshaw, NE OK.
----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Paula Ziebarth" 
To: "Lee, Jill" ; "Bill Apgar" 

Cc: "Bluebird L" 
Sent: Wednesday, March 17, 2010 7:21 AM
Subject: Re: box pest query


Placing little signs on nestboxes can be a great idea 
or a bad one,
depending on who your audience is.  For curious, 
excited children and their
parents, it is a great idea.  For teenage vandals and 
psychopaths, it is a
bad idea.

I have seen metal plates affixed to trail boxes that 
warn people that it is
a federal offense to disturb the birds nesting inside 
the boxes.  The sign
goes on to mention the fine associated with committing 
the offense.

I actually prefer a more educational approach if I am 
sticking a sign on a
box at all.  The reason being (in my mind) that a 
potential vandal may find
a warning a fun challenge.  The only signs I currently 
place on nestboxes
are laminated informational signs that I thumbtack on 
the side of a box on
public trails when I put a Sparrow Spooker on a box.  I 
do this to let
do-gooders know to leave the weird mylar flappy 
contraption where it is
because it serves a purpose and I also have species 
specific signs so they
can know what bird is nesting in there.  Sign for EABL 
says:  "The mylar
'Sparrow Spooker' above this box is meant to keep 
nonnative House Sparrows
from killing the Eastern Bluebirds 
adults/eggs/nestlings that occupy this
nest box."

Last year, on a highly educational trail that my mentor 
and best buddy
monitors, I saw she had scribbled following message on 
side of box with a
black sharpie pen:  "Shhhh...  Carolina Chickadee 
nesting.  Stay back."
That got me thinking and I suggested she have species 
specific signs printed
on different colored paper, laminated and thumbtacked 
on side of nestbox.
Blue for Bluebirds, white for Tree Swallows, maybe 
speckled paper for
Chickadees (color of their eggs).  The message could be 
whatever you want it
to be.  It could identify species occupying box and 
tell child/adulf to ask
a park ranger to learn more, but should encourage them 
not to mess with the
nesting bird.

Paula Z
Powell (Central) Ohio


r----- Original Message ----- 
From: Lee, Jill
To: Bill Apgar
Cc: Bluebird L
Sent: Wednesday, March 17, 2010 7:50 AM
Subject: RE: box pest query


Tanglefoot!!!  That's what one of the people I talked 
to suggested.  I hadn't
heard of it before, so the name escaped my mind.  I'll 
definitely consider
that, with and without the shroud.  One of the issues 
w/ our park boxes is
people's (especially kids') curiosity about the boxes 
and messing with them
without knowing what they're doing.  Last year I was at 
an event, not
working, and a pre-teen girl came running up all 
excited b/c "there's a bird
in that box!!!" and I had to say that they need to be 
left alone.  Which is
hard b/c you don't want to quash their 
excitement...since they could someday
be bluebirders.

Also, do you use ivory, or some other unscented soap? 
I know birds don't
have a great sense of smell, but I imagine scented 
soaps can cause
irritation.  And bar soap, I assume?

Thanks!
Jill


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Subject: Re: box pest query
From: "Bob Walshaw" <walshaw1 AT cox.net>
Date: Wed, 17 Mar 2010 09:14:08 -0500
The 4X4 posts are dangerous and also difficult to 
guard. The T posts that the farmers use for barbed wire 
fences are the easiest and the cheapest way to go. Also 
don't forget roads, even high speed ones if you need 
more box places. Bob Walshaw, NE OK.
----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Paula Ziebarth" 
To: "Lee, Jill" ; "Duane Rice" 
; "Bluebird L" 

Sent: Wednesday, March 17, 2010 6:55 AM
Subject: Re: box pest query


Jill,

In my experience, installing nestbox first is way to 
go.  It is early in the
season.  Why not set a box in your yard and see what 
happens?  If you have
them in your neighborhood and have good habitat in your 
yard, I would be
extremely surprised if you didn't at least get a pair 
checking out your box.
For best box placement, scout out your neighborhood and 
find the closest box
or natural cavity.  Neighbors probably have a nesting 
site for them if you
are seeing them in the area.  Site your box at least 
100 yards from that one
and chances of getting a nesting pair are high.

Then, to train them to use a feeder, place a few 
mealworms on a flat dish on
ground near nestbox.  Once they find it, move it out 
gradually to where your
feeder is.  Eventually put worms in the feeder.

You mentioned your trail boxes are on 4x4 posts?  I do 
hope they have wobbly
baffles.  We have a neighbor with a couple nestboxes on 
4x4 wooden posts
that are not baffled.  Raccoons have easily climbed his 
posts in the past.
He also gets ants in those boxes.  Scraping out boxes 
really well encourages
ants to go elsewhere.  They are in there for a reason - 
either there is
decomposing bird matter in there that they are eating 
or they are making a
colony in there.  I follow up good scraping with nest 
change if needed and
sometimes grease pole directly under box.

Paula Z
Powell (central) Ohio


----- Original Message ----- 
From: Lee, Jill
To: Duane Rice ; Bluebird L
Sent: Wednesday, March 17, 2010 7:41 AM
Subject: RE: box pest query


Thanks Duane, I may try that (though I'm replying 
before reading the other
suggestions).  This trail is one of many that I 
coordinate at work (I'm a
Park Ranger).  I check a couple trails myself, but the 
vast majority are
checked by volunteers (YAY!).  I received this job when 
a co-worker left
last year, and it's one of my favorite assignments.

Now, at home is a different situation.  I've seen EABL 
in the neighborhood,
but not in my yard yet.  I thought I'd try to attract 
them w/ a feeder w/
food (alternating between mealworms and fruit) and if 
it worked and I saw
any in the yard, I would put up a box...I'm starting to 
wonder if I shouldn't
have tried it the other way around now.

Jill Lee
Lusby, MD

up now.


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Subject: Re: box pest query
From: "Bob Walshaw" <walshaw1 AT cox.net>
Date: Wed, 17 Mar 2010 09:09:28 -0500
It is the Tanglefoot Company, and you want the Tangletrap spray - for the post 
only. You don't want the birds getting into it. And yes - it is just a bar of 
plain Ivory soap. You have to keep wetting the end of it as you swipe it across 
the inside top of the box..Bob Walshaw, NE OK. 

  ----- Original Message ----- 
  From: Lee, Jill 
  To: Bill Apgar 
  Cc: Bluebird L 
  Sent: Wednesday, March 17, 2010 6:50 AM
  Subject: RE: box pest query


 Tanglefoot!!! That's what one of the people I talked to suggested. I hadn't 
heard of it before, so the name escaped my mind. I'll definitely consider that, 
with and without the shroud. One of the issues w/ our park boxes is people's 
(especially kids') curiosity about the boxes and messing with them without 
knowing what they're doing. Last year I was at an event, not working, and a 
pre-teen girl came running up all excited b/c "there's a bird in that box!!!" 
and I had to say that they need to be left alone. Which is hard b/c you don't 
want to quash their excitement...since they could someday be bluebirders. 


   

 Also, do you use ivory, or some other unscented soap? I know birds don't have 
a great sense of smell, but I imagine scented soaps can cause irritation. And 
bar soap, I assume? 


   

  Thanks!

  Jill 


------------------------------------------------------------------------------

  From: Bill Apgar [mailto:wmapgar AT gmail.com] 
  Sent: Tuesday, March 16, 2010 6:25 PM
  To: Lee, Jill
  Cc: Bluebird List
  Subject: Re: box pest query

   

  Jill,

   

 I soap the insides and inside top of the box to keep the wasps from cementing 
their nests. I guess when they try to secrete their cellulose spit it doesn't 
stick to the box and falls off. So I always carry a little bar of soap in my 
monitoring bag. 


   

 As far as ants go, I have not prevailed against them and all the rain makes 
them very active. I guess what I'm going to try this year is a small shroud 
about 2 1/2" round fastened to the post with tanglefoot under it. The little 
shroud could be made out of the plastic top of a spray can and be there just to 
keep all the rain from washing the tanglefoot away. Then I'd caulk around the 
shroud with caulking to keep everything watertight and put tanglefoot 
underneath it. Last year I tried the tanglefoot by itself and the rain washed 
it away. 


   

 In the box where we got ants the bluebirds left and occupied a box that had 
been occupied by chickadees earlier in the year for a second brood. 


   

 Ants are tough, but there was a huge thread on them last year. Once you get 
them in a box they can really be a problem as I found out. I had Architect Ants 
last Spring. 


   

  Bill Apgar

  MA

  On Tue, Mar 16, 2010 at 5:29 PM, Lee, Jill  wrote:

  Hey List!

   

 I'm getting my parks' bluebird trails ready for the season and met with some 
other trail care takers today. They asked me what to do about ants and I wasn't 
sure what to tell them. I've seen some written sources say that you can spray 
the box with something, but even if it's not bug spray, I get very leery of 
spraying the insides of the boxes. So, does anyone have a better suggestion? 
One person I talked to suggested using the same substance used to keep gypsy 
moths off the trees, but apply it to the post of the box. Would that work? 
Would something simple like Vaseline around the post work? (It's a 4x4 wood 
post.) 


   

  I'm also wondering about wasp prevention.

   

   

  Thanks,

  Jill Lee

  Lusby, MD

   




  -- 
  Bill

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Subject: Re: bluebird bodies
From: "Bob Walshaw" <walshaw1 AT cox.net>
Date: Wed, 17 Mar 2010 09:03:44 -0500
Don't quit. We need the strong opinions too. Bob Walshaw, NE OK. 
  ----- Original Message ----- 
  From: Robert Barron 
  To: Duane Rice 
  Cc: paulaz AT columbus.rr.com ; Charlie & Paulette Cothern ; Bluebird L 
  Sent: Tuesday, March 16, 2010 11:23 PM
  Subject: Re: bluebird bodies


 This is just my opinion, but whether one believes evolution/adaptation is 
God's greatest miracle or just random genetic chance, I think "only the 
strongest survive" is not just a cliche, but an inaccurate observation of 
natural selection perpetuated by the romantic myth of "bloodied tooth and 
claw". For God's sake, plants do it. 



 A lot of survival from one generation to the next is pure random chance or 
luck. It's the traits that are successful over time/multiple generations that 
get passed on. The shorter the life span of the organism, the more rapid 
evolutionary changes are observable..hence the research with fruit flies. 
Humans are no different. The evolutionary biology definition of evolutionary 
success is living long enough to produce offspring who successfully reproduce. 
Fruit flies can do it in days, birds in a month or two, humans in 20 years or 
less. The "strongest" animal or plant can end up, by random chance, in the 
wrong environmental circumstances, and die of any natural cause. What will 
determine "strength" over time has nothing to do with finding a few dead birds 
in a nest box after one cold winter or spring ice storm, how many get killed by 
House sparrows, how many eggs get removed by House wrens etc. in any give year, 
or which human sub group has the highest birth rate at any one point in time. 
If enough of any living thing survive to reproduce more than die before they 
can reproduce, it's a sustainable population. Anything more is food for 
everything else, or changes the ecological balance..sometimes it can be good, 
sometimes it goes in cycles, and sometimes they exceed their environment's 
carrying capacity and die off, or screw up the whole balance, or both. 



  Maybe I should get off this list again. 


  Rob Barron


  On 16 March 2010 23:41, Duane Rice  wrote:

 As much as I hate to say it. "only the strong survive" I know it's clich'e, 
but it's nature's way of keeping the gene pool strong. Mortality rate in the 
first year of a bluebird's life is 80%. Not very good odds. So those adults 
that you see, are true survivors. 

 Sorry if I bummed anyone. I'm just making it up as I go along. Seriously, it's 
a statistic. Bluebirds don't read the stats though. 

    Hoping for sunshine soon, 
    dr
     
    > From: paulaz AT columbus.rr.com
 > To: cothern AT bellsouth.net; bluebird-L AT cornell.edu; drbirdsong4 AT hotmail.com 

    > Subject: Re: bluebird bodies
    > Date: Tue, 16 Mar 2010 18:55:20 -0400

    > 
    > Paulette,
    > 
 > I am very curious to know whether your trail is in more rural area or near 

 > homes where birdfeeding occurs during winter months. I just checked my city 

 > trails and found lots of EABL roost evidence, but no dead adults. One of my 

 > rural trails (no birdfeeding nearby) had 2 dead males in one of the boxes. 

 > Mentor of mine with rural trails almost always reports finding dead adults 

    > during first trail check.
    > 
    > EABL on my city trail have started nest building. EABL on my rural trail 
    > have not.
    > 
    > The birds you found probably were unable to find enough food during late 
 > cold winter spell to keep warm enough through the night and they froze to 

    > death. Native birds have a tough time of it during prolonged cold spells 
    > when berries and such dwindle and then are gone. It is especially rough 
 > during the end of winter. The blasted European Starling hordes don't help 

 > either when they come through an area and eat all the native fruits they can 

    > find.
    > 
    > Paula Z
    > Powell (Central) Ohio
    > 
    > 
    > ----- Original Message ----- 
    > From: Paulette Cothern
    > To: bluebird ; Duane Rice
    > Sent: Tuesday, March 16, 2010 3:23 PM
    > Subject: bluebird bodies
    > 
    > 
    > Duane and others,
    > 
    > I walked my trail of 20 boxes today to remove the straw I had put in for 
    > overwintering. I was sad to find 3 deceased males in one of the boxes. 
 > Their bodies were entact with no puncture wounds and no dried blood present. 

    > I'd like to know what could have caused their death. Could they have 
 > straved from lack of food. I don't think they had been dead too many days. 

 > Duane, I'll keep them in a plastic planter a few days if you have time to 

 > take a look at them. Duane, how was the hummingbird program at Bells Bend? 

    > 
    > paulette
    > N. Middle TN 
    > 



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Subject: Re: box pest query
From: "Paula Ziebarth" <paulaz AT columbus.rr.com>
Date: Wed, 17 Mar 2010 08:21:48 -0400
Placing little signs on nestboxes can be a great idea or a bad one, 
depending on who your audience is.  For curious, excited children and their 
parents, it is a great idea.  For teenage vandals and psychopaths, it is a 
bad idea.

I have seen metal plates affixed to trail boxes that warn people that it is 
a federal offense to disturb the birds nesting inside the boxes.  The sign 
goes on to mention the fine associated with committing the offense.

I actually prefer a more educational approach if I am sticking a sign on a 
box at all.  The reason being (in my mind) that a potential vandal may find 
a warning a fun challenge.  The only signs I currently place on nestboxes 
are laminated informational signs that I thumbtack on the side of a box on 
public trails when I put a Sparrow Spooker on a box.  I do this to let 
do-gooders know to leave the weird mylar flappy contraption where it is 
because it serves a purpose and I also have species specific signs so they 
can know what bird is nesting in there.  Sign for EABL says:  "The mylar 
'Sparrow Spooker' above this box is meant to keep nonnative House Sparrows 
from killing the Eastern Bluebirds adults/eggs/nestlings that occupy this 
nest box."

Last year, on a highly educational trail that my mentor and best buddy 
monitors, I saw she had scribbled following message on side of box with a 
black sharpie pen:  "Shhhh...  Carolina Chickadee nesting.  Stay back." 
That got me thinking and I suggested she have species specific signs printed 
on different colored paper, laminated and thumbtacked on side of nestbox. 
Blue for Bluebirds, white for Tree Swallows, maybe speckled paper for 
Chickadees (color of their eggs).  The message could be whatever you want it 
to be.  It could identify species occupying box and tell child/adulf to ask 
a park ranger to learn more, but should encourage them not to mess with the 
nesting bird.

Paula Z
Powell (Central) Ohio


r----- Original Message ----- 
From: Lee, Jill
To: Bill Apgar
Cc: Bluebird L
Sent: Wednesday, March 17, 2010 7:50 AM
Subject: RE: box pest query


Tanglefoot!!!  That's what one of the people I talked to suggested.  I hadn't 
heard of it before, so the name escaped my mind.  I'll definitely consider 
that, with and without the shroud.  One of the issues w/ our park boxes is 
people's (especially kids') curiosity about the boxes and messing with them 
without knowing what they're doing.  Last year I was at an event, not 
working, and a pre-teen girl came running up all excited b/c "there's a bird 
in that box!!!" and I had to say that they need to be left alone.  Which is 
hard b/c you don't want to quash their excitement...since they could someday 
be bluebirders.

Also, do you use ivory, or some other unscented soap?  I know birds don't 
have a great sense of smell, but I imagine scented soaps can cause 
irritation.  And bar soap, I assume?

Thanks!
Jill 


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Subject: Re: box pest query
From: "Paula Ziebarth" <paulaz AT columbus.rr.com>
Date: Wed, 17 Mar 2010 07:55:17 -0400
Jill,

In my experience, installing nestbox first is way to go.  It is early in the 
season.  Why not set a box in your yard and see what happens?  If you have 
them in your neighborhood and have good habitat in your yard, I would be 
extremely surprised if you didn't at least get a pair checking out your box. 
For best box placement, scout out your neighborhood and find the closest box 
or natural cavity.  Neighbors probably have a nesting site for them if you 
are seeing them in the area.  Site your box at least 100 yards from that one 
and chances of getting a nesting pair are high.

Then, to train them to use a feeder, place a few mealworms on a flat dish on 
ground near nestbox.  Once they find it, move it out gradually to where your 
feeder is.  Eventually put worms in the feeder.

You mentioned your trail boxes are on 4x4 posts?  I do hope they have wobbly 
baffles.  We have a neighbor with a couple nestboxes on 4x4 wooden posts 
that are not baffled.  Raccoons have easily climbed his posts in the past. 
He also gets ants in those boxes.  Scraping out boxes really well encourages 
ants to go elsewhere.  They are in there for a reason - either there is 
decomposing bird matter in there that they are eating or they are making a 
colony in there.  I follow up good scraping with nest change if needed and 
sometimes grease pole directly under box.

Paula Z
Powell (central) Ohio


----- Original Message ----- 
From: Lee, Jill
To: Duane Rice ; Bluebird L
Sent: Wednesday, March 17, 2010 7:41 AM
Subject: RE: box pest query


Thanks Duane, I may try that (though I'm replying before reading the other 
suggestions).  This trail is one of many that I coordinate at work (I'm a 
Park Ranger).  I check a couple trails myself, but the vast majority are 
checked by volunteers (YAY!).  I received this job when a co-worker left 
last year, and it's one of my favorite assignments.

Now, at home is a different situation.  I've seen EABL in the neighborhood, 
but not in my yard yet.  I thought I'd try to attract them w/ a feeder w/ 
food (alternating between mealworms and fruit) and if it worked and I saw 
any in the yard, I would put up a box...I'm starting to wonder if I shouldn't 
have tried it the other way around now.

Jill Lee
Lusby, MD

up now. 


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Subject: RE: box pest query
From: "Lee, Jill" <Jill.Lee AT pgparks.com>
Date: Wed, 17 Mar 2010 07:41:08 -0400
Thanks Duane, I may try that (though I'm replying before reading the
other suggestions).  This trail is one of many that I coordinate at work
(I'm a Park Ranger).  I check a couple trails myself, but the vast
majority are checked by volunteers (YAY!).  I received this job when a
co-worker left last year, and it's one of my favorite assignments.  

 

Now, at home is a different situation.  I've seen EABL in the
neighborhood, but not in my yard yet.  I thought I'd try to attract them
w/ a feeder w/ food (alternating between mealworms and fruit) and if it
worked and I saw any in the yard, I would put up a box...I'm starting to
wonder if I shouldn't have tried it the other way around now.

 

Jill Lee

Lusby, MD

  _____  

From: Duane Rice [mailto:drbirdsong4 AT hotmail.com] 
Sent: Tuesday, March 16, 2010 5:54 PM
To: Lee, Jill; Bluebird L
Subject: RE: box pest query

 

Since you seem to have taken the plunge and taken it seriously, go pick
up a copy of the Bluebird Monitor's Guide book at your local booksore or
at Amamzon Books. You won't regret it, and you will be referring to it
often. 
Ants.
Different things work in different places. I use a gel that comes in a
tube, spread sparingly along the inside seams of the infested box, under
the nest, of course.
Waps. 
Same thing. Different strokes for different folks.
I use a tube of petroleum jelly spread along the inside top and top part
of the walls. 
To remove nests already in place? Do it on a cool morning, before the
wasps are active. Use a long handled spatula or scraper. Leave the box
open for a while, if it's unoccupied by birds, which it probably won't
be, since they won't use a box with a wasp nest in it....usually. 
As always, refer to www.sialis.org for all and any information regarding
bluebirds and being a Bluebird Monitor. You can also access the
Bluebird-L Archives, to see where these questions have been answered in
the past. 
Of course, we're all learning new things all the time, so don't think
you can't ask it here. 
We've only scratched the surface.
 
dr

  _____  

Subject: box pest query
Date: Tue, 16 Mar 2010 17:29:20 -0400
From: Jill.Lee AT pgparks.com
To: bluebird-l AT cornell.edu

Hey List!

 

I'm getting my parks' bluebird trails ready for the season and met with
some other trail care takers today.  They asked me what to do about ants
and I wasn't sure what to tell them.  I've seen some written sources say
that you can spray the box with something, but even if it's not bug
spray, I get very leery of spraying the insides of the boxes.  So, does
anyone have a better suggestion?  One person I talked to suggested using
the same substance used to keep gypsy moths off the trees, but apply it
to the post of the box.  Would that work?  Would something simple like
Vaseline around the post work?  (It's a 4x4 wood post.) 

 

I'm also wondering about wasp prevention.

 

 

Thanks,

Jill Lee

Lusby, MD

 

 

  _____  

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Subject: RE: box pest query
From: "Lee, Jill" <Jill.Lee AT pgparks.com>
Date: Wed, 17 Mar 2010 07:50:19 -0400
Tanglefoot!!!  That's what one of the people I talked to suggested.  I
hadn't heard of it before, so the name escaped my mind.  I'll definitely
consider that, with and without the shroud.  One of the issues w/ our
park boxes is people's (especially kids') curiosity about the boxes and
messing with them without knowing what they're doing.  Last year I was
at an event, not working, and a pre-teen girl came running up all
excited b/c "there's a bird in that box!!!" and I had to say that they
need to be left alone.  Which is hard b/c you don't want to quash their
excitement...since they could someday be bluebirders.

 

Also, do you use ivory, or some other unscented soap?  I know birds
don't have a great sense of smell, but I imagine scented soaps can cause
irritation.  And bar soap, I assume?

 

Thanks!

Jill 

  _____  

From: Bill Apgar [mailto:wmapgar AT gmail.com] 
Sent: Tuesday, March 16, 2010 6:25 PM
To: Lee, Jill
Cc: Bluebird List
Subject: Re: box pest query

 

Jill,

 

I soap the insides and inside top of the box to keep the wasps from
cementing their nests.  I guess when they try to secrete their cellulose
spit it doesn't stick to the box and falls off.  So I always carry a
little bar of soap in my monitoring bag.

 

As far as ants go, I have not prevailed against them and all the rain
makes them very active.  I guess what I'm going to try this year is a
small shroud about 2 1/2" round fastened to the post with tanglefoot
under it.  The little shroud could be made out of the plastic top of a
spray can and be there just to keep all the rain from washing the
tanglefoot away.  Then I'd caulk around the shroud with caulking to keep
everything watertight and put tanglefoot underneath it.  Last year I
tried the tanglefoot by itself and the rain washed it away.

 

In the box where we got ants the bluebirds left and occupied a box that
had been occupied by chickadees earlier in the year for a second brood.

 

Ants are tough, but there was a huge thread on them last year.  Once you
get them in a box they can really be a problem as I found out.  I had
Architect Ants last Spring.

 

Bill Apgar

MA

On Tue, Mar 16, 2010 at 5:29 PM, Lee, Jill  wrote:

Hey List!

 

I'm getting my parks' bluebird trails ready for the season and met with
some other trail care takers today.  They asked me what to do about ants
and I wasn't sure what to tell them.  I've seen some written sources say
that you can spray the box with something, but even if it's not bug
spray, I get very leery of spraying the insides of the boxes.  So, does
anyone have a better suggestion?  One person I talked to suggested using
the same substance used to keep gypsy moths off the trees, but apply it
to the post of the box.  Would that work?  Would something simple like
Vaseline around the post work?  (It's a 4x4 wood post.) 

 

I'm also wondering about wasp prevention.

 

 

Thanks,

Jill Lee

Lusby, MD

 




-- 
Bill


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Subject: Re: bluebird bodies
From: Robert Barron <rebarron AT gmail.com>
Date: Wed, 17 Mar 2010 00:23:33 -0400
This is just my opinion, but whether one believes evolution/adaptation is
God's greatest miracle or just random genetic chance, I think "only the
strongest survive" is not just a cliche, but an inaccurate observation of
natural selection perpetuated by the romantic myth of "bloodied tooth and
claw".  For God's sake, plants do it.

A lot of survival from one generation to the next is pure random chance or
luck.  It's the traits that are successful over time/multiple generations
that get passed on.  The shorter the life span of the organism, the more
rapid evolutionary changes are observable..hence the research with fruit
flies.  Humans are no different.  The evolutionary biology definition of
evolutionary success is living long enough to produce offspring who
successfully reproduce.  Fruit flies can do it in days, birds in a month or
two, humans in 20 years or less.  The "strongest" animal or plant can end
up, by random chance, in the wrong environmental circumstances, and die of
any natural cause.  What will determine "strength" over time has nothing to
do with finding a few dead birds in a nest box after one cold winter or
spring ice storm, how many get killed by House sparrows, how many eggs get
removed by House wrens etc. in any give year, or which human sub group has
the highest birth rate at any one point in time.  If enough of any living
thing survive to reproduce more than die before they can reproduce, it's a
sustainable population.  Anything more is food for everything else, or
changes the ecological balance..sometimes it can be good, sometimes it goes
in cycles, and sometimes they exceed their environment's carrying capacity
and die off, or screw up the whole balance, or both.

Maybe I should get off this list again.

Rob Barron

On 16 March 2010 23:41, Duane Rice  wrote:

>  As much as I hate to say it. "only the strong survive" I know it's
> clich'e, but it's nature's way of keeping the gene pool strong. Mortality
> rate in the first year of a bluebird's life is 80%. Not very good odds. So
> those adults that you see, are true survivors.
> Sorry if I bummed anyone. I'm just making it up as I go along. Seriously,
> it's a statistic. Bluebirds don't read the stats though.
> Hoping for sunshine soon,
> dr
>
> > From: paulaz AT columbus.rr.com
> > To: cothern AT bellsouth.net; bluebird-L AT cornell.edu;
> drbirdsong4 AT hotmail.com
> > Subject: Re: bluebird bodies
> > Date: Tue, 16 Mar 2010 18:55:20 -0400
>
> >
> > Paulette,
> >
> > I am very curious to know whether your trail is in more rural area or
> near
> > homes where birdfeeding occurs during winter months. I just checked my
> city
> > trails and found lots of EABL roost evidence, but no dead adults. One of
> my
> > rural trails (no birdfeeding nearby) had 2 dead males in one of the
> boxes.
> > Mentor of mine with rural trails almost always reports finding dead
> adults
> > during first trail check.
> >
> > EABL on my city trail have started nest building. EABL on my rural trail
> > have not.
> >
> > The birds you found probably were unable to find enough food during late
> > cold winter spell to keep warm enough through the night and they froze to
>
> > death. Native birds have a tough time of it during prolonged cold spells
> > when berries and such dwindle and then are gone. It is especially rough
> > during the end of winter. The blasted European Starling hordes don't help
>
> > either when they come through an area and eat all the native fruits they
> can
> > find.
> >
> > Paula Z
> > Powell (Central) Ohio
> >
> >
> > ----- Original Message -----
> > From: Paulette Cothern
> > To: bluebird ; Duane Rice
> > Sent: Tuesday, March 16, 2010 3:23 PM
> > Subject: bluebird bodies
> >
> >
> > Duane and others,
> >
> > I walked my trail of 20 boxes today to remove the straw I had put in for
> > overwintering. I was sad to find 3 deceased males in one of the boxes.
> > Their bodies were entact with no puncture wounds and no dried blood
> present.
> > I'd like to know what could have caused their death. Could they have
> > straved from lack of food. I don't think they had been dead too many
> days.
> > Duane, I'll keep them in a plastic planter a few days if you have time to
>
> > take a look at them. Duane, how was the hummingbird program at Bells
> Bend?
> >
> > paulette
> > N. Middle TN
> >
>
> ------------------------------
> Hotmail has tools for the New Busy. Search, chat and e-mail from your
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>

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Subject: RE: bluebird bodies
From: Duane Rice <drbirdsong4 AT hotmail.com>
Date: Tue, 16 Mar 2010 22:41:34 -0500
As much as I hate to say it. "only the strong survive" I know it's clich'e, but 
it's nature's way of keeping the gene pool strong. Mortality rate in the first 
year of a bluebird's life is 80%. Not very good odds. So those adults that you 
see, are true survivors. 


Sorry if I bummed anyone. I'm just making it up as I go along. Seriously, it's 
a statistic. Bluebirds don't read the stats though. 


Hoping for sunshine soon, 

dr
 
> From: paulaz AT columbus.rr.com
> To: cothern AT bellsouth.net; bluebird-L AT cornell.edu; drbirdsong4 AT hotmail.com
> Subject: Re: bluebird bodies
> Date: Tue, 16 Mar 2010 18:55:20 -0400
> 
> Paulette,
> 
> I am very curious to know whether your trail is in more rural area or near 
> homes where birdfeeding occurs during winter months. I just checked my city 
> trails and found lots of EABL roost evidence, but no dead adults. One of my 
> rural trails (no birdfeeding nearby) had 2 dead males in one of the boxes. 
> Mentor of mine with rural trails almost always reports finding dead adults 
> during first trail check.
> 
> EABL on my city trail have started nest building. EABL on my rural trail 
> have not.
> 
> The birds you found probably were unable to find enough food during late 
> cold winter spell to keep warm enough through the night and they froze to 
> death. Native birds have a tough time of it during prolonged cold spells 
> when berries and such dwindle and then are gone. It is especially rough 
> during the end of winter. The blasted European Starling hordes don't help 
> either when they come through an area and eat all the native fruits they can 
> find.
> 
> Paula Z
> Powell (Central) Ohio
> 
> 
> ----- Original Message ----- 
> From: Paulette Cothern
> To: bluebird ; Duane Rice
> Sent: Tuesday, March 16, 2010 3:23 PM
> Subject: bluebird bodies
> 
> 
> Duane and others,
> 
> I walked my trail of 20 boxes today to remove the straw I had put in for 
> overwintering. I was sad to find 3 deceased males in one of the boxes. 
> Their bodies were entact with no puncture wounds and no dried blood present. 
> I'd like to know what could have caused their death. Could they have 
> straved from lack of food. I don't think they had been dead too many days. 
> Duane, I'll keep them in a plastic planter a few days if you have time to 
> take a look at them. Duane, how was the hummingbird program at Bells Bend?
> 
> paulette
> N. Middle TN 
> 
 		 	   		  
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Subject: Re: Tree Swallows and Bluebirds
From: Robert Barron <rebarron AT gmail.com>
Date: Tue, 16 Mar 2010 23:17:58 -0400
For anyone who has forgotten as much as I did about barn swallows, Google
them.  A lot of Internet crap to weed through to get to real biological
information, but like all swallows, even with their poopy nests, they are
amazing birds, and their migration feats make Bluebirds look like lazy
yardbirds.  Not a value judgement, just a statement of admiration for
another cool bird.

Rob Barron

On 16 March 2010 23:04, Duane Rice  wrote:

>  Robert,
> Growing up in rural Arklasnaz, we had Barn Swallows nesting under the
> bridge on our property, on the ledges.
>
> We had a barn, but I don't recall seeing them nest there. But then again,
> we did keep it closed up most of the time.
> They were smart enough to know where the water was the deepest, and that
> was where they would build. In the late Sprung/Summer, the creek's water
> level would go down to reveal the gravel/rock bottom so that you could walk
> under the bridge, except where the water was deepest, and that's where they
> would build.
> Duane
> ------------------------------
>
> From: rebarron AT gmail.com
> Date: Tue, 16 Mar 2010 18:01:31 -0400
>
> Subject: Re: Tree Swallows and Bluebirds
> To: drbirdsong4 AT hotmail.com
> CC: yumyumkatts AT voyager.net; bluebird-l AT cornell.edu
>
> Hi Duane,
>
> yes, to be sure you would have to band or mark them in some way.  I often
> saw the same pair continue to defend the nest and both the parents and
> fledglings return to the nest off and on until the adults started mating
> again, often on the nest, so I'm almost positive, but I may be biased by the
> research I've read.
>
> What makes me curious is that barn swallows make their own nests and tree
> swallows depend on fining a cavity.  My personal observation is that tree
> swallow numbers are increasing and barn swallows are declining.  I know a
> lot of old barns are falling down, but they were here before we built barns,
> so that's not even really a good name for them.
>
> Rob Barron
>
> On 16 March 2010 17:37, Duane Rice  wrote:
>
> Rob,
> It would be interesting to find out for sure, if they really were the same
> pair of Barn Swallows riasing a second brood, or a second pair using a used
> nest, like Tree Swallows.
> I guess the only way to know, would be to band the birds, right? That would
> be so cool.
>
> I'm with you though, I think it's the same pair of Barn Swallows raising
> two broods.
> All I know is, by the time August rolls around, our barn and pasture are
> swarming with them. It's awesome.
>
> dr
>
> ------------------------------
> From: rebarron AT gmail.com
> Date: Tue, 16 Mar 2010 17:13:52 -0400
>
> Subject: Re: Tree Swallows and Bluebirds
> To: drbirdsong4 AT hotmail.com
> CC: yumyumkatts AT voyager.net; bluebird-l AT cornell.edu
>
>
> I've almost always seen barn swallows return to the same nest and hatch a
> second brood.  I would think the ability to build their own nest as opposed
> to finding a secondary cavity gives them more time to raise two broods.
>
> Rob Barron
>
> On 16 March 2010 16:53, Duane Rice  wrote:
>
> As a rule, Tree Swallows raise only one brood per season, BUT, (there's
> always one) If nesting sites are in short supply, and you have mulitiple
> pairs, One pair will wait until the other is finished raising their brood,
> then the second pair will move in and raise theirs. So, it can cause you to
> believe one pair rasied two broods.
> Remember, they are migrants, so they are on a time schedule. The early
> ones, usually take a long time to get sarted building a nest,laying
> eggs,brooding, etc. I guess they're tired.
> The later ones are in more of a hurry and if they are taking over a used
> nest box, will only make minor adjustments before moving in.
> This behavior is also common among Barn Swallows too.
> BTW More Tree Swallows are being reported almost daily in Tennessee.
> dr
>
> > From: yumyumkatts AT voyager.net
> > To: bluebird-L AT cornell.edu
> > Subject: RE: Tree Swallows and Bluebirds
> > Date: Mon, 15 Mar 2010 15:29:40 -0400
>
> >
> >
> >
> > TRES only have one brood here also and then they are gone. Usually,
> before
> > they go south, they will return with the babies for a day and for short
> > time. Maybe saying "goodbye".
> >
> > 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-5426298-3587711 AT list.cornell.edu
> > [mailto:bounce-5426298-3587711 AT list.cornell.edu] On Behalf Of Bruce
> Burdett
> > Sent: Saturday, March 13, 2010 10:36 AM
> > To: Paulette Cothern; Paula Ziebarth; bluebird
> > Subject: Re: Tree Swallows and Bluebirds
> >
> > Paulette,
> >                       In my area, Tree Swallows raise only one brood and
> > then disappear.
> >
> > Bruce Burdett
> > ----- Original Message -----
> > From: Paulette Cothern
> > To: Paula Ziebarth ; bluebird
> > Sent: Saturday, March 13, 2010 10:22 AM
> > Subject: Re: Tree Swallows and Bluebirds
> >
> > Thanks for the box location suggestions.  I may try grouping more in my
> > yard.  I'm glad you've had great success with fledging TRES.  Do they
> raise
> > more than one brood like bluebirds or just one set?
> >
> >
> > From: Paula Ziebarth 
> > To: Paulette Cothern ; bluebird
> > 
> > Sent: Fri, March 12, 2010 6:53:44 AM
> > Subject: Re: Tree Swallows and Bluebirds
> >
> > Paulette,
> >
> > By housing and fledging them each year, you may have some of the young
> > returning with you this year to nest also and the population may increase
> > there.  I always fledge over 40 TRES in our little yard on the island up
> > north.  None nest with me here in our suburban lot in central Ohio, but
> they
> > do nest less than a half a mile away on a small trail I have in public
> park
> > around a wet retention pond.  If you want to house more, remember that
> they
> > will nest fairly close together.  At the island, I have had them nesting
> as
> > close as 7 yards apart, but that is unusual situation as populations and
> > food sources for them there are huge.  One of my mentors who sets up TRES
> > grids in our area recommends spacing boxes 25 yards apart.  He recommends
> 22
> > yards as minimum distance between TRES boxes to reduce harrassment and
> > competition - i.e. they get along fine at that distance whereas closer
> > spacing and they are not happy with each other.
> >
> > Wonderful regarding swallows nesting on the bridge.  Are they Bank
> Swallows,
> > Barn Swallows?  I know Duane reported TRES are back in TN.  I have not
> seen
> > any here in Ohio yet, but boxes are ready.
> >
> > Regarding your airport proposal, Rob posted some very interesting
> > information about bird strikes and airplanes.  If they airport management
> is
> > concerned with birds nesting in boxes and attracting them, show them the
> > hole size of the box (i.e. little birds) and make them understand that
> > nesting EABL, rather than attracting flocks of their species which could
> be
> > a problem, will actually chase away other members of their species due to
> > their nesting territory requirements.  Individual birds of EABL or TRES
> size
> > are no threat to pilot safety whereas large flock of almost any bird
> could
> > be.  Nesting populations are not flocking populations.
> >
> > Paula Z
> > Powell (central) Ohio
> >
> >
> > ----- Original Message ----- From: Paulette Cothern
> > To: Paula Ziebarth ; bluebird
> > Sent: Thursday, March 11, 2010 10:22 PM
> > Subject: Re: Tree Swallows and Bluebirds
> >
> >
> > Paula, wish I were that lucky!  I had 3 pair of TRES nesting in bluebird
> > boxes in my backyard last year.  I would love to see even more of them
> here!
> > I did watch the swallows build under a bridge on the Harpeth River last
> > summer. There were 30 or more nests attached to the sides of the cocrete
> > bridge--very impressive!  I'll have to drive over in a few weeks and see
> if
> > they are back--about 20 miles from my home but worth the drive!  (DR if
> you
> > are interested and need directions, let me know.)  Also, I may get my
> > husband to ask the Springfield Airport owner's if we can put up bluebird
> > boxes there.  He goes there (25 miles one way) a couple of times a week
> and
> > he could check on the boxes while he's there.
> >
> > Paulette
> > N. Mid. TN
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> > ***********************
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> > bluebird-L-request AT cornell.edu
> > The body of the message is simply
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> >
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> >
> >
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Subject: RE: Tree Swallows and Bluebirds
From: Duane Rice <drbirdsong4 AT hotmail.com>
Date: Tue, 16 Mar 2010 22:04:03 -0500
Robert, 

Growing up in rural Arklasnaz, we had Barn Swallows nesting under the bridge on 
our property, on the ledges. 


 

We had a barn, but I don't recall seeing them nest there. But then again, we 
did keep it closed up most of the time. 


They were smart enough to know where the water was the deepest, and that was 
where they would build. In the late Sprung/Summer, the creek's water level 
would go down to reveal the gravel/rock bottom so that you could walk under the 
bridge, except where the water was deepest, and that's where they would build. 


Duane  





From: rebarron AT gmail.com
Date: Tue, 16 Mar 2010 18:01:31 -0400
Subject: Re: Tree Swallows and Bluebirds
To: drbirdsong4 AT hotmail.com
CC: yumyumkatts AT voyager.net; bluebird-l AT cornell.edu

Hi Duane,



yes, to be sure you would have to band or mark them in some way. I often saw 
the same pair continue to defend the nest and both the parents and fledglings 
return to the nest off and on until the adults started mating again, often on 
the nest, so I'm almost positive, but I may be biased by the research I've 
read. 



What makes me curious is that barn swallows make their own nests and tree 
swallows depend on fining a cavity. My personal observation is that tree 
swallow numbers are increasing and barn swallows are declining. I know a lot of 
old barns are falling down, but they were here before we built barns, so that's 
not even really a good name for them. 



Rob Barron


On 16 March 2010 17:37, Duane Rice  wrote:


Rob, 
It would be interesting to find out for sure, if they really were the same pair 
of Barn Swallows riasing a second brood, or a second pair using a used nest, 
like Tree Swallows. 

I guess the only way to know, would be to band the birds, right? That would be 
so cool. 

 
I'm with you though, I think it's the same pair of Barn Swallows raising two 
broods. 

All I know is, by the time August rolls around, our barn and pasture are 
swarming with them. It's awesome. 

 
dr
 


From: rebarron AT gmail.com
Date: Tue, 16 Mar 2010 17:13:52 -0400

Subject: Re: Tree Swallows and Bluebirds
To: drbirdsong4 AT hotmail.com
CC: yumyumkatts AT voyager.net; bluebird-l AT cornell.edu




I've almost always seen barn swallows return to the same nest and hatch a 
second brood. I would think the ability to build their own nest as opposed to 
finding a secondary cavity gives them more time to raise two broods. 



Rob Barron


On 16 March 2010 16:53, Duane Rice  wrote:


As a rule, Tree Swallows raise only one brood per season, BUT, (there's always 
one) If nesting sites are in short supply, and you have mulitiple pairs, One 
pair will wait until the other is finished raising their brood, then the second 
pair will move in and raise theirs. So, it can cause you to believe one pair 
rasied two broods. 

Remember, they are migrants, so they are on a time schedule. The early ones, 
usually take a long time to get sarted building a nest,laying eggs,brooding, 
etc. I guess they're tired. 

The later ones are in more of a hurry and if they are taking over a used nest 
box, will only make minor adjustments before moving in. 

This behavior is also common among Barn Swallows too.    
BTW More Tree Swallows are being reported almost daily in Tennessee. 
dr
 
> From: yumyumkatts AT voyager.net
> To: bluebird-L AT cornell.edu
> Subject: RE: Tree Swallows and Bluebirds
> Date: Mon, 15 Mar 2010 15:29:40 -0400 



> 
> 
> 
> TRES only have one brood here also and then they are gone. Usually, before
> they go south, they will return with the babies for a day and for short
> time. Maybe saying "goodbye".
> 
> 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-5426298-3587711 AT list.cornell.edu
> [mailto:bounce-5426298-3587711 AT list.cornell.edu] On Behalf Of Bruce Burdett
> Sent: Saturday, March 13, 2010 10:36 AM
> To: Paulette Cothern; Paula Ziebarth; bluebird
> Subject: Re: Tree Swallows and Bluebirds
> 
> Paulette,
>                       In my area, Tree Swallows raise only one brood and
> then disappear.
>  
> Bruce Burdett
> ----- Original Message ----- 
> From: Paulette Cothern 
> To: Paula Ziebarth ; bluebird 
> Sent: Saturday, March 13, 2010 10:22 AM
> Subject: Re: Tree Swallows and Bluebirds
> 
> Thanks for the box location suggestions.  I may try grouping more in my
> yard.  I'm glad you've had great success with fledging TRES.  Do they raise
> more than one brood like bluebirds or just one set?
> 
> 
> From: Paula Ziebarth 
> To: Paulette Cothern ; bluebird
> 
> Sent: Fri, March 12, 2010 6:53:44 AM
> Subject: Re: Tree Swallows and Bluebirds
> 
> Paulette,
> 
> By housing and fledging them each year, you may have some of the young
> returning with you this year to nest also and the population may increase
> there.  I always fledge over 40 TRES in our little yard on the island up
> north.  None nest with me here in our suburban lot in central Ohio, but they
> do nest less than a half a mile away on a small trail I have in public park
> around a wet retention pond.  If you want to house more, remember that they
> will nest fairly close together.  At the island, I have had them nesting as
> close as 7 yards apart, but that is unusual situation as populations and
> food sources for them there are huge.  One of my mentors who sets up TRES
> grids in our area recommends spacing boxes 25 yards apart.  He recommends 22
> yards as minimum distance between TRES boxes to reduce harrassment and
> competition - i.e. they get along fine at that distance whereas closer
> spacing and they are not happy with each other.
> 
> Wonderful regarding swallows nesting on the bridge.  Are they Bank Swallows,
> Barn Swallows?  I know Duane reported TRES are back in TN.  I have not seen
> any here in Ohio yet, but boxes are ready.
> 
> Regarding your airport proposal, Rob posted some very interesting
> information about bird strikes and airplanes.  If they airport management is
> concerned with birds nesting in boxes and attracting them, show them the
> hole size of the box (i.e. little birds) and make them understand that
> nesting EABL, rather than attracting flocks of their species which could be
> a problem, will actually chase away other members of their species due to
> their nesting territory requirements.  Individual birds of EABL or TRES size
> are no threat to pilot safety whereas large flock of almost any bird could
> be.  Nesting populations are not flocking populations.
> 
> Paula Z
> Powell (central) Ohio
> 
> 
> ----- Original Message ----- From: Paulette Cothern
> To: Paula Ziebarth ; bluebird
> Sent: Thursday, March 11, 2010 10:22 PM
> Subject: Re: Tree Swallows and Bluebirds
> 
> 
> Paula, wish I were that lucky!  I had 3 pair of TRES nesting in bluebird
> boxes in my backyard last year.  I would love to see even more of them here!
> I did watch the swallows build under a bridge on the Harpeth River last
> summer. There were 30 or more nests attached to the sides of the cocrete
> bridge--very impressive!  I'll have to drive over in a few weeks and see if
> they are back--about 20 miles from my home but worth the drive!  (DR if you
> are interested and need directions, let me know.)  Also, I may get my
> husband to ask the Springfield Airport owner's if we can put up bluebird
> boxes there.  He goes there (25 miles one way) a couple of times a week and
> he could check on the boxes while he's there.
> 
> Paulette
> N. Mid. TN
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> ***********************
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> bluebird-L-request AT cornell.edu
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Subject: Re: Bluebird Photos
From: KCBSP AT aol.com
Date: Tue, 16 Mar 2010 21:38:38 EDT
 
In a message dated 3/16/2010 12:35:17 AM Eastern Daylight Time,  
paws4fun AT aeroinc.net writes:

http://outdoors.webshots.com/album/546641837qihFOt


Thank you Gail!  I'm enjoying looking at them very much!
 
Kathy Clark

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Subject: RE: bluebird bodies
From: "Gail Storm" <paws4fun AT aeroinc.net>
Date: Tue, 16 Mar 2010 20:01:56 -0500
In my years as a monitor, which is about 20 now, I have never found a dead
bluebird in any of my boxes except once, one brood of 5 and it was from
black flies I think.  I have about 40 boxes here on the farm.  I've never
found a dead one in a box after winter, but I don't feed them in the winter
and they completely leave my area. 
 
Gail Storm
NW IL on the WI border
Orangeville, IL 61060
 
From: bounce-5439635-8767929 AT list.cornell.edu
[mailto:bounce-5439635-8767929 AT list.cornell.edu] On Behalf Of Robert Barron
Sent: Tuesday, March 16, 2010 7:13 PM
To: Bob Walshaw
Cc: Paulette Cothern; bluebird; Duane Rice
Subject: Re: bluebird bodies
 
Hey Bob,
 
Interesting what we do and don't know, and what we think we know.  I've had
an equal ratios of males and females remain year round, in cold upstate NY,
balmy Atlanta, and here in central Virginia.  I've never found a dead
Bluebird in a nest box anywhere that wasn't killed by a house sparrow during
nesting season.  I guess I'm just lucky.
 
Thanks,
Rob Barron
On 16 March 2010 19:05, Bob Walshaw  wrote:
Not unusual and it is almost always males. Either from cold or lack of food.
One theory is that some males gamble in not migrating to have first dibs on
the best territories in the spring. I have found as many as six in a box
after a prolonged ice storm. Bob Walshaw, NE OK.
----- Original Message ----- 
From: Paulette Cothern   
To: bluebird   ; Duane Rice
  
Sent: Tuesday, March 16, 2010 2:23 PM
Subject: bluebird bodies
 
Duane and others,
 
I walked my trail of 20 boxes today to remove the straw I had put in for
overwintering.  I was sad to find 3 deceased males in one of the boxes.
Their bodies were entact with no puncture wounds and no dried blood present.
I'd like to know what could have caused their death.  Could they have
straved from lack of food.  I don't think they had been dead too many days.
Duane, I'll keep them in a plastic planter a few days if you have time to
take a look at them.  Duane, how was the hummingbird program at Bells Bend?
 
paulette
N. Middle TN
 

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Subject: Re: bluebird bodies
From: Robert Barron <rebarron AT gmail.com>
Date: Tue, 16 Mar 2010 20:13:04 -0400
Hey Bob,

Interesting what we do and don't know, and what we think we know.  I've had
an equal ratios of males and females remain year round, in cold upstate NY,
balmy Atlanta, and here in central Virginia.  I've never found a dead
Bluebird in a nest box anywhere that wasn't killed by a house sparrow during
nesting season.  I guess I'm just lucky.

Thanks,
Rob Barron

On 16 March 2010 19:05, Bob Walshaw  wrote:

>  Not unusual and it is almost always males. Either from cold or lack of
> food. One theory is that some males gamble in not migrating to have first
> dibs on the best territories in the spring. I have found as many as six in a
> box after a prolonged ice storm. Bob Walshaw, NE OK.
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> *From:* Paulette Cothern 
> *To:* bluebird  ; Duane Rice
> *Sent:* Tuesday, March 16, 2010 2:23 PM
> *Subject:* bluebird bodies
>
>  Duane and others,
>
> I walked my trail of 20 boxes today to remove the straw I had put in for
> overwintering.  I was sad to find 3 deceased males in one of the boxes.
> Their bodies were entact with no puncture wounds and no dried blood present.
> I'd like to know what could have caused their death.  Could they have
> straved from lack of food.  I don't think they had been dead too many days.
> Duane, I'll keep them in a plastic planter a few days if you have time to
> take a look at them.  Duane, how was the hummingbird program at Bells Bend?
>
> paulette
> N. Middle TN
>
>

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Subject: Re: bluebird bodies
From: Robert Barron <rebarron AT gmail.com>
Date: Tue, 16 Mar 2010 19:59:26 -0400
Hey Tina,

I'm sure that you are correct, and you can correct me any time.  The most
important thing is that we share our knowledge and disseminate correct
information here.  I guess all I was saying is that a fat bird has a better
chance to make it through a cold night.

At one time I had yo be able to name every feather and bone in a bird's
body, but it has been 5 years since I took an ornithology course and at my
age I lose what I don't use or refer back to on a regular basis, and all my
text books are in a box in storage from having to move so many times.

From what I remember, Gold finches are interesting in that they molt and
show their nuptial plumage early in the spring/summer but don't mate and
nest until the thistle down that they have evolved to use for their nests is
mature in mid to late summer. Molting in passerine birds is a gradual
process, allowing them to continue to fly, unlike waterfowl,  (Kim Marie has
some excellent photos of molting Northern Cardinals) which molt more or less
all at once in preparation for migration and go through a flightless period.
 Tell me if I'm wrong, but I think I remember that most songbirds, if not
all birds have the ability to regenerate primary flight feathers if lost
between natural molting, and baby birds often molt soon after a juvenile
period (which must be why no Bluebirds and Robins have spotted breasts by
autumn).

One thing I have noticed is a lot of smaller birds with completely missing
tail feathers and in cavity nesters badly worn greater secondary coverts
(maybe from the wear and tear of entering rough cavities), but as you said,
they wouldn't affect retaining body heat.

Thanks for the refresher lesson (just kidding),
Rob Barron



On 16 March 2010 18:45, Tina Mitchell  wrote:

>  Hi, Rob (et al.)--
>
> Great explanation!  It is a chicken/egg sort of issue much of the time,
> isn't it?  (Although to me, if the bird weren't starving, hypothermia
> wouldn't come into play most of the time, would it?)  (Is this distinction
> "how many angels dancing on the head of a pin?  probably...)  Just one
> clarificaiton on this thorough explanation.  Most songbirds molt only once a
> year, in late summer/early fall.  Those fresh feathers typically have dull
> edges that then naturally wear off during the winter to expose brighter
> breeding plumage come spring.  (I think goldfinches are an exception to this
> generalization.)  So unless the bird is having a problem preening and
> keeping its feathers clean and interlocked for waterproofness and
> insulation, I don't think you can blame worn feathers for deaths in the
> winter.
>
>
> Tina Mitchell
> Coaldale, CO
> http://sipapu.wordpress.com/  (information about central Colorado's
> pinyon/juniper habitat)
> http://galapagos2009.wordpress.com/ (a detailed trip report & photos about
> our 2009 trip to Ecuador & the Galpagos Islands)
>
>
>
> ------------------------------
> From: rebarron AT gmail.com
> Date: Tue, 16 Mar 2010 17:46:09 -0400
> Subject: Re: bluebird bodies
> To: ztsipapu AT hotmail.com
> CC: bluebird-l AT cornell.edu
>
> 
>  Feathers are the major passive heat conserver in birds, and by late
> winter/early spring their feathers are more worn out and getting ready to be
> replaced after the nesting season.
> 
>
>
>
> ------------------------------
> Hotmail is redefining busy with tools for the New Busy. Get more from your
> inbox. Sign up 
now. 

>

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Subject: Re: box pest query
From: "Bob Walshaw" <walshaw1 AT cox.net>
Date: Tue, 16 Mar 2010 18:33:38 -0500
Bill - Did you use the Tangletrap spray? It is very heavy as well as sticky and 
the rain does not wash it away. Also, and this is a repeat - the caged bird 
spray works great on ants, and it is designed for birds. Bob Walshaw, NE OK. 

  ----- Original Message ----- 
  From: Bill Apgar 
  To: Lee, Jill 
  Cc: Bluebird List 
  Sent: Tuesday, March 16, 2010 5:25 PM
  Subject: Re: box pest query


  Jill,

 I soap the insides and inside top of the box to keep the wasps from cementing 
their nests. I guess when they try to secrete their cellulose spit it doesn't 
stick to the box and falls off. So I always carry a little bar of soap in my 
monitoring bag. 


 As far as ants go, I have not prevailed against them and all the rain makes 
them very active. I guess what I'm going to try this year is a small shroud 
about 2 1/2" round fastened to the post with tanglefoot under it. The little 
shroud could be made out of the plastic top of a spray can and be there just to 
keep all the rain from washing the tanglefoot away. Then I'd caulk around the 
shroud with caulking to keep everything watertight and put tanglefoot 
underneath it. Last year I tried the tanglefoot by itself and the rain washed 
it away. 


 In the box where we got ants the bluebirds left and occupied a box that had 
been occupied by chickadees earlier in the year for a second brood. 


 Ants are tough, but there was a huge thread on them last year. Once you get 
them in a box they can really be a problem as I found out. I had Architect Ants 
last Spring. 


  Bill Apgar
  MA


  On Tue, Mar 16, 2010 at 5:29 PM, Lee, Jill  wrote:

    Hey List!



 Im getting my parks bluebird trails ready for the season and met with some 
other trail care takers today. They asked me what to do about ants and I wasnt 
sure what to tell them. Ive seen some written sources say that you can spray 
the box with something, but even if its not bug spray, I get very leery of 
spraying the insides of the boxes. So, does anyone have a better suggestion? 
One person I talked to suggested using the same substance used to keep gypsy 
moths off the trees, but apply it to the post of the box. Would that work? 
Would something simple like Vaseline around the post work? (Its a 4x4 wood 
post.) 




    Im also wondering about wasp prevention.





    Thanks,

    Jill Lee

    Lusby, MD






  -- 
  Bill

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Subject: Re: box pest query
From: "Bob Walshaw" <walshaw1 AT cox.net>
Date: Tue, 16 Mar 2010 18:28:36 -0500
Paper Wasps are not very aggressive. I use my putty knife to cut them loose and 
I have never been stung. Bob Walshaw, NE Ok. 

  ----- Original Message ----- 
  From: Duane Rice 
  To: jill.lee AT pgparks.com ; Bluebird L 
  Sent: Tuesday, March 16, 2010 4:53 PM
  Subject: RE: box pest query


 Since you seem to have taken the plunge and taken it seriously, go pick up a 
copy of the Bluebird Monitor's Guide book at your local booksore or at Amamzon 
Books. You won't regret it, and you will be referring to it often. 

  Ants.
 Different things work in different places. I use a gel that comes in a tube, 
spread sparingly along the inside seams of the infested box, under the nest, of 
course. 

  Waps. 
  Same thing. Different strokes for different folks.
 I use a tube of petroleum jelly spread along the inside top and top part of 
the walls. 

 To remove nests already in place? Do it on a cool morning, before the wasps 
are active. Use a long handled spatula or scraper. Leave the box open for a 
while, if it's unoccupied by birds, which it probably won't be, since they 
won't use a box with a wasp nest in it....usually. 

 As always, refer to www.sialis.org for all and any information regarding 
bluebirds and being a Bluebird Monitor. You can also access the Bluebird-L 
Archives, to see where these questions have been answered in the past. 

 Of course, we're all learning new things all the time, so don't think you 
can't ask it here. 

  We've only scratched the surface.
   
  dr

------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  Subject: box pest query
  Date: Tue, 16 Mar 2010 17:29:20 -0400
  From: Jill.Lee AT pgparks.com
  To: bluebird-l AT cornell.edu


  Hey List!



 Im getting my parks bluebird trails ready for the season and met with some 
other trail care takers today. They asked me what to do about ants and I wasnt 
sure what to tell them. Ive seen some written sources say that you can spray 
the box with something, but even if its not bug spray, I get very leery of 
spraying the insides of the boxes. So, does anyone have a better suggestion? 
One person I talked to suggested using the same substance used to keep gypsy 
moths off the trees, but apply it to the post of the box. Would that work? 
Would something simple like Vaseline around the post work? (Its a 4x4 wood 
post.) 




  Im also wondering about wasp prevention.





  Thanks,

  Jill Lee

  Lusby, MD





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Subject: Re: Heard a bluebird on film
From: "Bob Walshaw" <walshaw1 AT cox.net>
Date: Tue, 16 Mar 2010 18:24:32 -0500
The loudest bird here (after the Red-tail) is the Carolina Wren. I can't 
believe how a bird that small can make that much noise! Bob Walshaw, NE OK. 

  ----- Original Message ----- 
  From: Bet Zimmerman 
  To: 'EmailUser wensuz' ; 'Duane Rice' 
  Cc: bluebird-l AT list.cornell.edu 
  Sent: Tuesday, March 16, 2010 4:41 PM
  Subject: RE: Heard a bluebird on film


 Lots of films use Western Meadowlarks. 
(http://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Western_Meadowlark/sounds - Cornell's All 
About Birds is a great place to hear bird sounds) 


   

 The red-tailed Hawk scream is used quite often, usually erroneously for a 
soaring eagle. (Eagles actually sound more like poodles than hawks.) 


   

 I don't think I've ever heard the chittering of a Carolina Wren on film. Never 
recall hearing a mourning warbler either, not that I would have recognized it 
(just listened to it here: 
http://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Mourning_Warbler/sounds) 


   

 However, just about EVERY movie or series I watch that involves anything in a 
city or residential area seems to have HOSP chirping in the background. If you 
want to drive yourself or your cat crazy, go to 
http://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/House_Sparrow/sounds, pick the Sounds tab 
and click on all five HOSP songs and calls at once. UGH! 


   

  Bet

   

  From: EmailUser wensuz [mailto:wensuz AT isp.com] 
  Sent: Tuesday, March 16, 2010 5:31 PM
  To: Duane Rice
  Cc: Bet Zimmerman; bluebird-l AT list.cornell.edu
  Subject: Re: Heard a bluebird on film

   

 Duane I hear Wren a lot, House or Carolina don't know if they sound similar, 
but I hear House Wren for sure in many backgrounds. House Sparrow for sure I 
hear even more than Wren. I was watching I think PBS one day, and the program 
showed some Mountain Bluebirds briefly and included their song, my Cat 
immediately ran to the TV to watch recognizing that it was BLuebird even though 
he only ever hears and watches my Eastern BLuebirds but MOBLs are similar 
enough that he knew! He grew up watching my EABLs up close as they used to use 
our deck railing to perch, babies used it too! I can safely say Bluebirds are 
his favorite Bird, for he reacts to no other as he does our beloved Bluebird! 
(even when I play the EABL song on the Cornell sight, he jumps up on my 
computer desk and looks behind my monitor trying in vain to find the 'Bluebird' 
who must be hiding there! ) -Wendy in OH 


  On Tue, Mar 16, 2010 at 5:08 PM, Duane Rice  wrote:

  Love it.
  Q: What is the most used bird call/sound/song on film/movies/tv?
   
 A: A friend of mine says Morning Warbler. I say no way. Red-tailed Hawk or 
Carolina Wren. 

   
   What do ya'll think? 
     
  Duane
   
   


------------------------------------------------------------------------------

  From: ezdz AT charter.net
  To: bluebird-l AT list.cornell.edu
  Subject: Heard a bluebird on film
  Date: Tue, 16 Mar 2010 11:31:50 -0400

 I usually cringe when I hear House Sparrows chirping nonstop in typical 
Hollywood films. However, we were watching a new movie, The Invention of Lying, 
which was filmed in Lowell MA. In one scene in the middle, the actors were in 
the park and I heard a male bluebird singing! What a nice change. Somebody is 
doing good work in Mass.. 


 BTW, I have noticed that the songs of different males vary somewhat. I just 
heard a weird one that sort of trilled right before his warble - a little like 
a red-bellied woodpecker. 


  Bet from CT

   


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Subject: Re: box pest query
From: "Bob Walshaw" <walshaw1 AT cox.net>
Date: Tue, 16 Mar 2010 18:19:11 -0500
Buy caged bird spray from WalMart or a pet store. It is designed for birds. 
Also Google the Tanglefoot Co. and find where you can buy Tangletrap spray - a 
long lasting sticky spray FOR THE POST ONLY. Rubbing a wet ivory soap bar on 
the inside roof surface of the box will keep paper wasp nests from sticking to 
it. Bob Walshaw, NE OK. 

  ----- Original Message ----- 
  From: Lee, Jill 
  To: bluebird-l AT cornell.edu 
  Sent: Tuesday, March 16, 2010 4:29 PM
  Subject: box pest query


  Hey List!

   

 I'm getting my parks' bluebird trails ready for the season and met with some 
other trail care takers today. They asked me what to do about ants and I wasn't 
sure what to tell them. I've seen some written sources say that you can spray 
the box with something, but even if it's not bug spray, I get very leery of 
spraying the insides of the boxes. So, does anyone have a better suggestion? 
One person I talked to suggested using the same substance used to keep gypsy 
moths off the trees, but apply it to the post of the box. Would that work? 
Would something simple like Vaseline around the post work? (It's a 4x4 wood 
post.) 


   

  I'm also wondering about wasp prevention.

   

   

  Thanks,

  Jill Lee

  Lusby, MD

   

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Subject: Re: bluebird bodies
From: "Bob Walshaw" <walshaw1 AT cox.net>
Date: Tue, 16 Mar 2010 18:13:10 -0500
Here is one idea - if you will set up a list to collect mailing addresses I 
will send my free 20 page Bluebird book to them. (And I make this offer to 
anyone who gives speeches, holds events, etc. ) Send the addresses to me at Bob 
Walshaw, 26001 E. 118th St. S., Coweta, OK 74429. 

  ----- Original Message ----- 
  From: Duane Rice 
  To: Charlie & Paulette Cothern ; Bluebird L 
  Sent: Tuesday, March 16, 2010 4:29 PM
  Subject: RE: bluebird bodies


  Paulette and evesdropper friends, 
   
 Yes, I too found a pair each in three different boxes.... so far. I still 
haven't made my official rounds to all 100 boxes yet. I put cause of death,due 
to hypothermia (exposure). 

 Although, one pair showed signs of trauma, in a box that the entrance had been 
chewed or chiselled wider. Brent repaired the opening, then I found the dead 
birds. So, it could've been a woodpecker that got them. 

 I'm leaving for Arkansas tomorrow, so I won't be able to make it by til I get 
back. 

   
 The Hummingbird program was great! Bob and Margie Sargeant really know their 
stuff. They were very entertaining and funny. 

   
 While there, birding at Bell's Bend, I saw my first Bald Eagle of the year, 
and a flock of about 30 Sandhill Cranes flew right over the visitor's center on 
their way north. Beautiful! On the way home I stopped at Sycamore Creek and saw 
a bazillion ducks of several species, including hundreds of Wood Duck. Great 
Birding spot, for sure. 

   
 I've been asked to set up a Bluebird booth at Dunbar Cave Spring Fling, as 
opposed to doing an hour program, like I usually do. 

 It will be on May 1st. Keep it in mind. If you have any ideas, I'd like to 
hear them. 

  Duane Rice
  also in Mid Tenn.
  over&0ut     
   

------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  Date: Tue, 16 Mar 2010 12:23:15 -0700
  From: cothern AT bellsouth.net
  Subject: bluebird bodies
  To: bluebird-L AT cornell.edu; drbirdsong4 AT hotmail.com


  Duane and others,

 I walked my trail of 20 boxes today to remove the straw I had put in for 
overwintering. I was sad to find 3 deceased males in one of the boxes. Their 
bodies were entact with no puncture wounds and no dried blood present. I'd like 
to know what could have caused their death. Could they have straved from lack 
of food. I don't think they had been dead too many days. Duane, I'll keep them 
in a plastic planter a few days if you have time to take a look at them. Duane, 
how was the hummingbird program at Bells Bend? 


  paulette
  N. Middle TN


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Subject: Re: bluebird bodies
From: "Bob Walshaw" <walshaw1 AT cox.net>
Date: Tue, 16 Mar 2010 18:05:35 -0500
Not unusual and it is almost always males. Either from cold or lack of food. 
One theory is that some males gamble in not migrating to have first dibs on the 
best territories in the spring. I have found as many as six in a box after a 
prolonged ice storm. Bob Walshaw, NE OK. 

  ----- Original Message ----- 
  From: Paulette Cothern 
  To: bluebird ; Duane Rice 
  Sent: Tuesday, March 16, 2010 2:23 PM
  Subject: bluebird bodies


  Duane and others,

 I walked my trail of 20 boxes today to remove the straw I had put in for 
overwintering. I was sad to find 3 deceased males in one of the boxes. Their 
bodies were entact with no puncture wounds and no dried blood present. I'd like 
to know what could have caused their death. Could they have straved from lack 
of food. I don't think they had been dead too many days. Duane, I'll keep them 
in a plastic planter a few days if you have time to take a look at them. Duane, 
how was the hummingbird program at Bells Bend? 


  paulette
  N. Middle TN
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Subject: Re: bluebird bodies
From: "Paula Ziebarth" <paulaz AT columbus.rr.com>
Date: Tue, 16 Mar 2010 18:55:20 -0400
Paulette,

I am very curious to know whether your trail is in more rural area or near 
homes where birdfeeding occurs during winter months.  I just checked my city 
trails and found lots of EABL roost evidence, but no dead adults.  One of my 
rural trails (no birdfeeding nearby) had 2 dead males in one of the boxes. 
Mentor of mine with rural trails almost always reports finding dead adults 
during first trail check.

EABL on my city trail have started nest building.  EABL on my rural trail 
have not.

The birds you found probably were unable to find enough food during late 
cold winter spell to keep warm enough through the night and they froze to 
death.  Native birds have a tough time of it during prolonged cold spells 
when berries and such dwindle and then are gone.  It is especially rough 
during the end of winter.  The blasted European Starling hordes don't help 
either when they come through an area and eat all the native fruits they can 
find.

Paula Z
Powell (Central) Ohio


----- Original Message ----- 
From: Paulette Cothern
To: bluebird ; Duane Rice
Sent: Tuesday, March 16, 2010 3:23 PM
Subject: bluebird bodies


Duane and others,

I walked my trail of 20 boxes today to remove the straw I had put in for 
overwintering.  I was sad to find 3 deceased males in one of the boxes. 
Their bodies were entact with no puncture wounds and no dried blood present. 
I'd like to know what could have caused their death.  Could they have 
straved from lack of food.  I don't think they had been dead too many days. 
Duane, I'll keep them in a plastic planter a few days if you have time to 
take a look at them.  Duane, how was the hummingbird program at Bells Bend?

paulette
N. Middle TN 


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Subject: RE:Barn Swallows as compared to Tree Swallows
From: "Kathleen Arnold" <koscharn AT suddenlink.net>
Date: Tue, 16 Mar 2010 17:48:07 -0500
A website devoted to barn swallows says they raise two broods per year.  

 

Kate Arnold

Paris, TX, 100 mi NE of Dallas

33.6853N 95.6293W

 

  _____  

From: bounce-5439131-5863646 AT list.cornell.edu
[mailto:bounce-5439131-5863646 AT list.cornell.edu] On Behalf Of Robert Barron
Sent: Tuesday, March 16, 2010 4:14 PM
To: Duane Rice
Cc: yumyumkatts AT voyager.net; Bluebird L
Subject: Re: Tree Swallows and Bluebirds

 

I've almost always seen barn swallows return to the same nest and hatch a
second brood.  I would think the ability to build their own nest as opposed
to finding a secondary cavity gives them more time to raise two broods.

 


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Subject: RE: bluebird bodies
From: Tina Mitchell <ztsipapu AT hotmail.com>
Date: Tue, 16 Mar 2010 16:45:41 -0600
Hi, Rob (et al.)--
 
Great explanation! It is a chicken/egg sort of issue much of the time, isn't 
it? (Although to me, if the bird weren't starving, hypothermia wouldn't come 
into play most of the time, would it?) (Is this distinction "how many angels 
dancing on the head of a pin? probably...) Just one clarificaiton on this 
thorough explanation. Most songbirds molt only once a year, in late 
summer/early fall. Those fresh feathers typically have dull edges that then 
naturally wear off during the winter to expose brighter breeding plumage come 
spring. (I think goldfinches are an exception to this generalization.) So 
unless the bird is having a problem preening and keeping its feathers clean and 
interlocked for waterproofness and insulation, I don't think you can blame worn 
feathers for deaths in the winter. 

 
Tina Mitchell
Coaldale, CO
http://sipapu.wordpress.com/ (information about central Colorado's 
pinyon/juniper habitat) 

http://galapagos2009.wordpress.com/ (a detailed trip report & photos about our 
2009 trip to Ecuador & the Galpagos Islands) 



 


From: rebarron AT gmail.com
Date: Tue, 16 Mar 2010 17:46:09 -0400
Subject: Re: bluebird bodies
To: ztsipapu AT hotmail.com
CC: bluebird-l AT cornell.edu



 Feathers are the major passive heat conserver in birds, and by late 
winter/early spring their feathers are more worn out and getting ready to be 
replaced after the nesting season. 



  		 	   		  
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Subject: RE: Heard a bluebird on film
From: "linyl" <linyl AT windstream.net>
Date: Tue, 16 Mar 2010 18:42:39 -0400
Yes to your answer and add House Wren.
 
 

Linda in NW GA




-----Original Message-----
From: bounce-5439111-9482887 AT list.cornell.edu
[mailto:bounce-5439111-9482887 AT list.cornell.edu] On Behalf Of Duane Rice
Sent: Tuesday, March 16, 2010 5:08 PM
To: Bet Zimmerman; bluebird-l AT list.cornell.edu
Subject: RE: Heard a bluebird on film


Love it.
Q: What is the most used bird call/sound/song on film/movies/tv?
 
A: A friend of mine says Morning Warbler. I say no way. Red-tailed Hawk or
Carolina Wren.
 
 What do ya'll think? 
   
Duane
 
 

  _____  

From: ezdz AT charter.net
To: bluebird-l AT list.cornell.edu
Subject: Heard a bluebird on film
Date: Tue, 16 Mar 2010 11:31:50 -0400



I usually cringe when I hear House Sparrows chirping nonstop in typical
Hollywood films.  However, we were watching a new movie, The Invention of
Lying, which was filmed in Lowell MA.  In one scene in the middle, the
actors were in the park and I heard a male bluebird singing!  What a nice
change.  Somebody is doing good work in Mass..

BTW, I have noticed that the songs of different males vary somewhat. I just
heard a weird one that sort of trilled right before his warble - a little
like a red-bellied woodpecker.

Bet from CT


  _____  

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Subject: Re: Heard a bluebird on film
From: Bill Apgar <wmapgar AT gmail.com>
Date: Tue, 16 Mar 2010 18:30:40 -0400
Duane,

If its out in the country, like a Western or something it always seems to be
a house wren.  That chatter warble they do is unmistakable.

Bill

On Tue, Mar 16, 2010 at 5:08 PM, Duane Rice  wrote:

> Love it.
> Q: What is the most used bird call/sound/song on film/movies/tv?
>
> A: A friend of mine says Morning Warbler. I say no way. Red-tailed Hawk or
> Carolina Wren.
>
>  What do ya'll think?
>
> Duane
>
>
> ------------------------------
> From: ezdz AT charter.net
> To: bluebird-l AT list.cornell.edu
>
> Subject: Heard a bluebird on film
> Date: Tue, 16 Mar 2010 11:31:50 -0400
>
>
> I usually cringe when I hear House Sparrows chirping nonstop in typical
> Hollywood films.  However, we were watching a new movie, The Invention of
> Lying, which was filmed in Lowell MA.  In one scene in the middle, the
> actors were in the park and I heard a male bluebird singing!  What a nice
> change.  Somebody is doing good work in Mass.
>
> BTW, I have noticed that the songs of different males vary somewhat. I just
> heard a weird one that sort of trilled right before his warble  a little 
like 

> a red-bellied woodpecker.
>
> Bet from CT
>
>  ------------------------------
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>



-- 
Bill

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Subject: Re: box pest query
From: Bill Apgar <wmapgar AT gmail.com>
Date: Tue, 16 Mar 2010 18:25:07 -0400
Jill,

I soap the insides and inside top of the box to keep the wasps from
cementing their nests.  I guess when they try to secrete their cellulose
spit it doesn't stick to the box and falls off.  So I always carry a little
bar of soap in my monitoring bag.

As far as ants go, I have not prevailed against them and all the rain makes
them very active.  I guess what I'm going to try this year is a small shroud
about 2 1/2" round fastened to the post with tanglefoot under it.  The
little shroud could be made out of the plastic top of a spray can and be
there just to keep all the rain from washing the tanglefoot away.  Then I'd
caulk around the shroud with caulking to keep everything watertight and put
tanglefoot underneath it.  Last year I tried the tanglefoot by itself and
the rain washed it away.

In the box where we got ants the bluebirds left and occupied a box that had
been occupied by chickadees earlier in the year for a second brood.

Ants are tough, but there was a huge thread on them last year.  Once you get
them in a box they can really be a problem as I found out.  I had Architect
Ants last Spring.

Bill Apgar
MA

On Tue, Mar 16, 2010 at 5:29 PM, Lee, Jill  wrote:

>  Hey List!
>
>
>
> Im getting my parks bluebird trails ready for the season and met with
> some other trail care takers today.  They asked me what to do about ants and
> I wasnt sure what to tell them.  Ive seen some written sources say that
> you can spray the box with something, but even if its not bug spray, I get
> very leery of spraying the insides of the boxes.  So, does anyone have a
> better suggestion?  One person I talked to suggested using the same
> substance used to keep gypsy moths off the trees, but apply it to the post
> of the box.  Would that work?  Would something simple like Vaseline around
> the post work?  (Its a 4x4 wood post.)
>
>
>
> Im also wondering about wasp prevention.
>
>
>
>
>
> Thanks,
>
> Jill Lee
>
> Lusby, MD
>
>
>



-- 
Bill

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Subject: Barn Swallows
From: "Gail Storm" <paws4fun AT aeroinc.net>
Date: Tue, 16 Mar 2010 17:12:38 -0500
We have them a lot of times where they build under the bridges that are over
all the creeks around me.
 
Gail Storm
NW IL on the WI border
Orangeville, IL 61060
 
From: bounce-5439283-8767929 AT list.cornell.edu
[mailto:bounce-5439283-8767929 AT list.cornell.edu] On Behalf Of Robert Barron
Sent: Tuesday, March 16, 2010 5:02 PM
To: Duane Rice
Cc: yumyumkatts AT voyager.net; Bluebird L
Subject: Re: Tree Swallows and Bluebirds
 
Hi Duane,
 
yes, to be sure you would have to band or mark them in some way.  I often
saw the same pair continue to defend the nest and both the parents and
fledglings return to the nest off and on until the adults started mating
again, often on the nest, so I'm almost positive, but I may be biased by the
research I've read.
 
What makes me curious is that barn swallows make their own nests and tree
swallows depend on fining a cavity.  My personal observation is that tree
swallow numbers are increasing and barn swallows are declining.  I know a
lot of old barns are falling down, but they were here before we built barns,
so that's not even really a good name for them.
 
Rob Barron
On 16 March 2010 17:37, Duane Rice  wrote:
Rob, 
It would be interesting to find out for sure, if they really were the same
pair of Barn Swallows riasing a second brood, or a second pair using a used
nest, like Tree Swallows. 
I guess the only way to know, would be to band the birds, right? That would
be so cool. 
 
I'm with you though, I think it's the same pair of Barn Swallows raising two
broods. 
All I know is, by the time August rolls around, our barn and pasture are
swarming with them. It's awesome. 
 
dr
 
  _____  

From: rebarron AT gmail.com
Date: Tue, 16 Mar 2010 17:13:52 -0400

Subject: Re: Tree Swallows and Bluebirds
To: drbirdsong4 AT hotmail.com
CC: yumyumkatts AT voyager.net; bluebird-l AT cornell.edu


I've almost always seen barn swallows return to the same nest and hatch a
second brood.  I would think the ability to build their own nest as opposed
to finding a secondary cavity gives them more time to raise two broods. 
 
Rob Barron
On 16 March 2010 16:53, Duane Rice  wrote:
As a rule, Tree Swallows raise only one brood per season, BUT, (there's
always one) If nesting sites are in short supply, and you have mulitiple
pairs, One pair will wait until the other is finished raising their brood,
then the second pair will move in and raise theirs. So, it can cause you to
believe one pair rasied two broods.
Remember, they are migrants, so they are on a time schedule. The early ones,
usually take a long time to get sarted building a nest,laying eggs,brooding,
etc. I guess they're tired.  
The later ones are in more of a hurry and if they are taking over a used
nest box, will only make minor adjustments before moving in. 
This behavior is also common among Barn Swallows too.    
BTW More Tree Swallows are being reported almost daily in Tennessee. 
dr
 
> From: yumyumkatts AT voyager.net
> To: bluebird-L AT cornell.edu
> Subject: RE: Tree Swallows and Bluebirds
> Date: Mon, 15 Mar 2010 15:29:40 -0400 

> 
> 
> 
> TRES only have one brood here also and then they are gone. Usually, before
> they go south, they will return with the babies for a day and for short
> time. Maybe saying "goodbye".
> 
> 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-5426298-3587711 AT list.cornell.edu
> [mailto:bounce-5426298-3587711 AT list.cornell.edu] On Behalf Of Bruce
Burdett
> Sent: Saturday, March 13, 2010 10:36 AM
> To: Paulette Cothern; Paula Ziebarth; bluebird
> Subject: Re: Tree Swallows and Bluebirds
> 
> Paulette,
>                       In my area, Tree Swallows raise only one brood and
> then disappear.
>  
> Bruce Burdett
> ----- Original Message ----- 
> From: Paulette Cothern 
> To: Paula Ziebarth ; bluebird 
> Sent: Saturday, March 13, 2010 10:22 AM
> Subject: Re: Tree Swallows and Bluebirds
> 
> Thanks for the box location suggestions.  I may try grouping more in my
> yard.  I'm glad you've had great success with fledging TRES.  Do they
raise
> more than one brood like bluebirds or just one set?
> 
> 
> From: Paula Ziebarth 
> To: Paulette Cothern ; bluebird
> 
> Sent: Fri, March 12, 2010 6:53:44 AM
> Subject: Re: Tree Swallows and Bluebirds
> 
> Paulette,
> 
> By housing and fledging them each year, you may have some of the young
> returning with you this year to nest also and the population may increase
> there.  I always fledge over 40 TRES in our little yard on the island up
> north.  None nest with me here in our suburban lot in central Ohio, but
they
> do nest less than a half a mile away on a small trail I have in public
park
> around a wet retention pond.  If you want to house more, remember that
they
> will nest fairly close together.  At the island, I have had them nesting
as
> close as 7 yards apart, but that is unusual situation as populations and
> food sources for them there are huge.  One of my mentors who sets up TRES
> grids in our area recommends spacing boxes 25 yards apart.  He recommends
22
> yards as minimum distance between TRES boxes to reduce harrassment and
> competition - i.e. they get along fine at that distance whereas closer
> spacing and they are not happy with each other.
> 
> Wonderful regarding swallows nesting on the bridge.  Are they Bank
Swallows,
> Barn Swallows?  I know Duane reported TRES are back in TN.  I have not
seen
> any here in Ohio yet, but boxes are ready.
> 
> Regarding your airport proposal, Rob posted some very interesting
> information about bird strikes and airplanes.  If they airport management
is
> concerned with birds nesting in boxes and attracting them, show them the
> hole size of the box (i.e. little birds) and make them understand that
> nesting EABL, rather than attracting flocks of their species which could
be
> a problem, will actually chase away other members of their species due to
> their nesting territory requirements.  Individual birds of EABL or TRES
size
> are no threat to pilot safety whereas large flock of almost any bird could
> be.  Nesting populations are not flocking populations.
> 
> Paula Z
> Powell (central) Ohio
> 
> 
> ----- Original Message ----- From: Paulette Cothern
> To: Paula Ziebarth ; bluebird
> Sent: Thursday, March 11, 2010 10:22 PM
> Subject: Re: Tree Swallows and Bluebirds
> 
> 
> Paula, wish I were that lucky!  I had 3 pair of TRES nesting in bluebird
> boxes in my backyard last year.  I would love to see even more of them
here!
> I did watch the swallows build under a bridge on the Harpeth River last
> summer. There were 30 or more nests attached to the sides of the cocrete
> bridge--very impressive!  I'll have to drive over in a few weeks and see
if
> they are back--about 20 miles from my home but worth the drive!  (DR if
you
> are interested and need directions, let me know.)  Also, I may get my
> husband to ask the Springfield Airport owner's if we can put up bluebird
> boxes there.  He goes there (25 miles one way) a couple of times a week
and
> he could check on the boxes while he's there.
> 
> Paulette
> N. Mid. TN
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> ***********************
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Subject: Re: Tree Swallows and Bluebirds
From: Robert Barron <rebarron AT gmail.com>
Date: Tue, 16 Mar 2010 18:01:31 -0400
Hi Duane,

yes, to be sure you would have to band or mark them in some way.  I often
saw the same pair continue to defend the nest and both the parents and
fledglings return to the nest off and on until the adults started mating
again, often on the nest, so I'm almost positive, but I may be biased by the
research I've read.

What makes me curious is that barn swallows make their own nests and tree
swallows depend on fining a cavity.  My personal observation is that tree
swallow numbers are increasing and barn swallows are declining.  I know a
lot of old barns are falling down, but they were here before we built barns,
so that's not even really a good name for them.

Rob Barron

On 16 March 2010 17:37, Duane Rice  wrote:

>  Rob,
> It would be interesting to find out for sure, if they really were the same
> pair of Barn Swallows riasing a second brood, or a second pair using a used
> nest, like Tree Swallows.
> I guess the only way to know, would be to band the birds, right? That would
> be so cool.
>
> I'm with you though, I think it's the same pair of Barn Swallows raising
> two broods.
> All I know is, by the time August rolls around, our barn and pasture are
> swarming with them. It's awesome.
>
> dr
>
> ------------------------------
> From: rebarron AT gmail.com
> Date: Tue, 16 Mar 2010 17:13:52 -0400
>
> Subject: Re: Tree Swallows and Bluebirds
> To: drbirdsong4 AT hotmail.com
> CC: yumyumkatts AT voyager.net; bluebird-l AT cornell.edu
>
>
> I've almost always seen barn swallows return to the same nest and hatch a
> second brood.  I would think the ability to build their own nest as opposed
> to finding a secondary cavity gives them more time to raise two broods.
>
> Rob Barron
>
> On 16 March 2010 16:53, Duane Rice  wrote:
>
> As a rule, Tree Swallows raise only one brood per season, BUT, (there's
> always one) If nesting sites are in short supply, and you have mulitiple
> pairs, One pair will wait until the other is finished raising their brood,
> then the second pair will move in and raise theirs. So, it can cause you to
> believe one pair rasied two broods.
> Remember, they are migrants, so they are on a time schedule. The early
> ones, usually take a long time to get sarted building a nest,laying
> eggs,brooding, etc. I guess they're tired.
> The later ones are in more of a hurry and if they are taking over a used
> nest box, will only make minor adjustments before moving in.
> This behavior is also common among Barn Swallows too.
> BTW More Tree Swallows are being reported almost daily in Tennessee.
> dr
>
> > From: yumyumkatts AT voyager.net
> > To: bluebird-L AT cornell.edu
> > Subject: RE: Tree Swallows and Bluebirds
> > Date: Mon, 15 Mar 2010 15:29:40 -0400
>
> >
> >
> >
> > TRES only have one brood here also and then they are gone. Usually,
> before
> > they go south, they will return with the babies for a day and for short
> > time. Maybe saying "goodbye".
> >
> > 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-5426298-3587711 AT list.cornell.edu
> > [mailto:bounce-5426298-3587711 AT list.cornell.edu] On Behalf Of Bruce
> Burdett
> > Sent: Saturday, March 13, 2010 10:36 AM
> > To: Paulette Cothern; Paula Ziebarth; bluebird
> > Subject: Re: Tree Swallows and Bluebirds
> >
> > Paulette,
> >                       In my area, Tree Swallows raise only one brood and
> > then disappear.
> >
> > Bruce Burdett
> > ----- Original Message -----
> > From: Paulette Cothern
> > To: Paula Ziebarth ; bluebird
> > Sent: Saturday, March 13, 2010 10:22 AM
> > Subject: Re: Tree Swallows and Bluebirds
> >
> > Thanks for the box location suggestions.  I may try grouping more in my
> > yard.  I'm glad you've had great success with fledging TRES.  Do they
> raise
> > more than one brood like bluebirds or just one set?
> >
> >
> > From: Paula Ziebarth 
> > To: Paulette Cothern ; bluebird
> > 
> > Sent: Fri, March 12, 2010 6:53:44 AM
> > Subject: Re: Tree Swallows and Bluebirds
> >
> > Paulette,
> >
> > By housing and fledging them each year, you may have some of the young
> > returning with you this year to nest also and the population may increase
> > there.  I always fledge over 40 TRES in our little yard on the island up
> > north.  None nest with me here in our suburban lot in central Ohio, but
> they
> > do nest less than a half a mile away on a small trail I have in public
> park
> > around a wet retention pond.  If you want to house more, remember that
> they
> > will nest fairly close together.  At the island, I have had them nesting
> as
> > close as 7 yards apart, but that is unusual situation as populations and
> > food sources for them there are huge.  One of my mentors who sets up TRES
> > grids in our area recommends spacing boxes 25 yards apart.  He recommends
> 22
> > yards as minimum distance between TRES boxes to reduce harrassment and
> > competition - i.e. they get along fine at that distance whereas closer
> > spacing and they are not happy with each other.
> >
> > Wonderful regarding swallows nesting on the bridge.  Are they Bank
> Swallows,
> > Barn Swallows?  I know Duane reported TRES are back in TN.  I have not
> seen
> > any here in Ohio yet, but boxes are ready.
> >
> > Regarding your airport proposal, Rob posted some very interesting
> > information about bird strikes and airplanes.  If they airport management
> is
> > concerned with birds nesting in boxes and attracting them, show them the
> > hole size of the box (i.e. little birds) and make them understand that
> > nesting EABL, rather than attracting flocks of their species which could
> be
> > a problem, will actually chase away other members of their species due to
> > their nesting territory requirements.  Individual birds of EABL or TRES
> size
> > are no threat to pilot safety whereas large flock of almost any bird
> could
> > be.  Nesting populations are not flocking populations.
> >
> > Paula Z
> > Powell (central) Ohio
> >
> >
> > ----- Original Message ----- From: Paulette Cothern
> > To: Paula Ziebarth ; bluebird
> > Sent: Thursday, March 11, 2010 10:22 PM
> > Subject: Re: Tree Swallows and Bluebirds
> >
> >
> > Paula, wish I were that lucky!  I had 3 pair of TRES nesting in bluebird
> > boxes in my backyard last year.  I would love to see even more of them
> here!
> > I did watch the swallows build under a bridge on the Harpeth River last
> > summer. There were 30 or more nests attached to the sides of the cocrete
> > bridge--very impressive!  I'll have to drive over in a few weeks and see
> if
> > they are back--about 20 miles from my home but worth the drive!  (DR if
> you
> > are interested and need directions, let me know.)  Also, I may get my
> > husband to ask the Springfield Airport owner's if we can put up bluebird
> > boxes there.  He goes there (25 miles one way) a couple of times a week
> and
> > he could check on the boxes while he's there.
> >
> > Paulette
> > N. Mid. TN
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> > ***********************
> > 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
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> >
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> >
> >
> >
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Subject: Barn Swallows
From: "Gail Storm" <paws4fun AT aeroinc.net>
Date: Tue, 16 Mar 2010 17:11:13 -0500
I'm pretty darn sure in my barn, where we have about 10 or so nests all
summer, that it's the same pair using the same nest.  Just what I've
observed anyway.  We generally have 2 or 3 broods in each nest.  When
counting the birds in the spring, there's only enough pairs for the nests
and the others move on to the bridges or other barns.
 
Gail Storm
NW IL on the WI border
Orangeville, IL 61060
 
From: bounce-5439209-8767929 AT list.cornell.edu
[mailto:bounce-5439209-8767929 AT list.cornell.edu] On Behalf Of Duane Rice
Sent: Tuesday, March 16, 2010 4:37 PM
To: rebarron AT gmail.com
Cc: yumyumkatts AT voyager.net; Bluebird L
Subject: RE: Tree Swallows and Bluebirds
 
Rob, 
It would be interesting to find out for sure, if they really were the same
pair of Barn Swallows riasing a second brood, or a second pair using a used
nest, like Tree Swallows. 
I guess the only way to know, would be to band the birds, right? That would
be so cool. 
 
I'm with you though, I think it's the same pair of Barn Swallows raising two
broods. 
All I know is, by the time August rolls around, our barn and pasture are
swarming with them. It's awesome. 
 
dr

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Subject: Re: Heard a bluebird on film
From: Robert Barron <rebarron AT gmail.com>
Date: Tue, 16 Mar 2010 17:54:46 -0400
I think it depends on the movie genre.  When I was a kid in school, it
seemed like every nature film (yes we had them then, in black and white) had
song sparrows and wood thrushes in the background.  Low budget cowboy shows
had what sounded like a common loon on steroids, but so did some Tarzan
movies, and of course, On Golden Pond.

Lately, it seems to be mostly house sparrows, crows and various gulls.

Rob Barron

On 16 March 2010 17:41, Bet Zimmerman  wrote:

>  Lots of films use Western Meadowlarks.  (
> http://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Western_Meadowlark/sounds - Cornells
> All About Birds is a great place to hear bird sounds)
>
>
>
> The red-tailed Hawk scream is used quite often, usually erroneously for a
> soaring eagle. (Eagles actually sound more like poodles than hawks.)
>
>
>
> I dont think Ive ever heard the chittering of a Carolina Wren on film.
> Never recall hearing a mourning warbler either, not that I would have
> recognized it (just listened to it here:
> http://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Mourning_Warbler/sounds)
>
>
>
> However, just about EVERY movie or series I watch  that involves anything
> in a city or residential area seems to have HOSP chirping in the background.
>   If you want to drive yourself or your cat crazy, go to
> http://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/House_Sparrow/sounds, pick the Sounds
> tab and click on all five HOSP songs and calls at once.  UGH!
>
>
>
> Bet
>
>
>
> *From:* EmailUser wensuz [mailto:wensuz AT isp.com]
> *Sent:* Tuesday, March 16, 2010 5:31 PM
> *To:* Duane Rice
> *Cc:* Bet Zimmerman; bluebird-l AT list.cornell.edu
> *Subject:* Re: Heard a bluebird on film
>
>
>
>     Duane I hear Wren a lot, House or Carolina don't know if they sound
> similar, but I hear House Wren for sure in many backgrounds. House Sparrow
> for sure I hear even more than Wren. I was watching  I think PBS one day,
> and the program showed some Mountain Bluebirds briefly and included their
> song, my Cat immediately ran to the TV to watch recognizing that it was
> BLuebird even though he only ever hears and watches my Eastern BLuebirds but
> MOBLs are similar enough that he knew! He grew up watching my EABLs up close
> as they used to use our deck railing to perch, babies used it too! I can
> safely say Bluebirds are his favorite Bird, for he reacts to no other as he
> does our beloved Bluebird!  (even when I play the EABL song on the Cornell
> sight, he jumps up on my computer desk and looks behind my monitor trying in
> vain to find the 'Bluebird' who  must be hiding
> there! )                                                            -Wendy
> in OH
>
> On Tue, Mar 16, 2010 at 5:08 PM, Duane Rice 
> wrote:
>
> Love it.
> Q: What is the most used bird call/sound/song on film/movies/tv?
>
> A: A friend of mine says Morning Warbler. I say no way. Red-tailed Hawk or
> Carolina Wren.
>
>  What do ya'll think?
>
> Duane
>
>
>  ------------------------------
>
> From: ezdz AT charter.net
> To: bluebird-l AT list.cornell.edu
> Subject: Heard a bluebird on film
> Date: Tue, 16 Mar 2010 11:31:50 -0400
>
> I usually cringe when I hear House Sparrows chirping nonstop in typical
> Hollywood films.  However, we were watching a new movie, The Invention of
> Lying, which was filmed in Lowell MA.  In one scene in the middle, the
> actors were in the park and I heard a male bluebird singing!  What a nice
> change.  Somebody is doing good work in Mass.
>
> BTW, I have noticed that the songs of different males vary somewhat. I just
> heard a weird one that sort of trilled right before his warble  a little 
like 

> a red-bellied woodpecker.
>
> Bet from CT
>
>
>  ------------------------------
>
> Hotmail: Trusted email with Microsofts powerful SPAM protection. Sign up
> now. 
>
>
>

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Subject: RE: box pest query
From: Duane Rice <drbirdsong4 AT hotmail.com>
Date: Tue, 16 Mar 2010 16:53:39 -0500
Since you seem to have taken the plunge and taken it seriously, go pick up a 
copy of the Bluebird Monitor's Guide book at your local booksore or at Amamzon 
Books. You won't regret it, and you will be referring to it often. 


Ants.

Different things work in different places. I use a gel that comes in a tube, 
spread sparingly along the inside seams of the infested box, under the nest, of 
course. 


Waps. 

Same thing. Different strokes for different folks.

I use a tube of petroleum jelly spread along the inside top and top part of the 
walls. 


To remove nests already in place? Do it on a cool morning, before the wasps are 
active. Use a long handled spatula or scraper. Leave the box open for a while, 
if it's unoccupied by birds, which it probably won't be, since they won't use a 
box with a wasp nest in it....usually. 


As always, refer to www.sialis.org for all and any information regarding 
bluebirds and being a Bluebird Monitor. You can also access the Bluebird-L 
Archives, to see where these questions have been answered in the past. 


Of course, we're all learning new things all the time, so don't think you can't 
ask it here. 


We've only scratched the surface.

 

dr


Subject: box pest query
Date: Tue, 16 Mar 2010 17:29:20 -0400
From: Jill.Lee AT pgparks.com
To: bluebird-l AT cornell.edu







Hey List!
 
Im getting my parks bluebird trails ready for the season and met with some 
other trail care takers today. They asked me what to do about ants and I wasnt 
sure what to tell them. Ive seen some written sources say that you can spray 
the box with something, but even if its not bug spray, I get very leery of 
spraying the insides of the boxes. So, does anyone have a better suggestion? 
One person I talked to suggested using the same substance used to keep gypsy 
moths off the trees, but apply it to the post of the box. Would that work? 
Would something simple like Vaseline around the post work? (Its a 4x4 wood 
post.) 

 
Im also wondering about wasp prevention.
 
 
Thanks,
Jill Lee
Lusby, MD
  		 	   		  
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Subject: Re: bluebird bodies
From: Robert Barron <rebarron AT gmail.com>
Date: Tue, 16 Mar 2010 17:46:09 -0400
I think starvation and hypothermia often go hand in hand in causing bird
mortality, so the exact cause of mortality may be difficult to discern.  All
birds have a high basal metabolic rate related to body mass, with
hummingbirds having the highest and extremely large birds the lowest.  To
maintain a steady body temperature in cold weather, birds rely on feathers
to insulate them and their body's biochemical processes and mechanical means
of heat production (shivering).  All birds can lower their basal metabolic
rate at night to conserve energy and/or to put on fat for migration.  Some
birds like hummingbirds are able to lower it even more, going into a state
of torpor.  But, below a certain point, if they don't have enough fat
reserves to burn into calories to produce body heat and provide energy to
their breast and leg muscles to be able to shiver, they lose the ability to
regulate their body temperature and die of hypothermia.  Anyone who has
skinned a chicken has seen that along the breastbone is one of the major
areas that birds store fat reserves.

One of the reasons that we find more dead Bluebirds in the late winter/early
spring is that we are checking nest boxes for the first time, but I believe
that it may also be that their fat reserves and food supply has finally run
out.  Feathers are the major passive heat conserver in birds, and by late
winter/early spring their feathers are more worn out and getting ready to be
replaced after the nesting season.

Rob Barron
Wilderness, Virginia


On 16 March 2010 16:22, Tina Mitchell  wrote:

>  Hi, Paulette (et al.)--
>
> You can usually spot starvation by feeling the keel (the breastbone).  If
> the keel is prominent, starvation is a likely culprit.
>
> Tina Mitchell
> Coaldale, CO
> http://sipapu.wordpress.com/  (information about central Colorado's
> pinyon/juniper habitat)
> http://galapagos2009.wordpress.com/ (a detailed trip report & photos about
> our 2009 trip to Ecuador & the Galpagos Islands)
>
>
>
> ------------------------------
> Date: Tue, 16 Mar 2010 12:23:15 -0700
> From: cothern AT bellsouth.net
> Subject: bluebird bodies
> To: bluebird-L AT cornell.edu; drbirdsong4 AT hotmail.com
>
>  Duane and others,
> 
> I'd like to know what could have caused their death.  Could they have
> straved from lack of food.
> 
>
> ------------------------------
> Hotmail: Trusted email with Microsofts powerful SPAM protection. Sign up
> now. 
>

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Subject: RE: Heard a bluebird on film
From: "Bet Zimmerman" <ezdz AT charter.net>
Date: Tue, 16 Mar 2010 17:41:41 -0400
Lots of films use Western Meadowlarks.
(http://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Western_Meadowlark/sounds - Cornell's
All About Birds is a great place to hear bird sounds)  

 

The red-tailed Hawk scream is used quite often, usually erroneously for a
soaring eagle. (Eagles actually sound more like poodles than hawks.)  

 

I don't think I've ever heard the chittering of a Carolina Wren on film.
Never recall hearing a mourning warbler either, not that I would have
recognized it (just listened to it here:
http://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Mourning_Warbler/sounds)

 

However, just about EVERY movie or series I watch  that involves anything in
a city or residential area seems to have HOSP chirping in the background.
If you want to drive yourself or your cat crazy, go to
http://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/House_Sparrow/sounds, pick the Sounds tab
and click on all five HOSP songs and calls at once.  UGH!

 

Bet

 

From: EmailUser wensuz [mailto:wensuz AT isp.com] 
Sent: Tuesday, March 16, 2010 5:31 PM
To: Duane Rice
Cc: Bet Zimmerman; bluebird-l AT list.cornell.edu
Subject: Re: Heard a bluebird on film

 

    Duane I hear Wren a lot, House or Carolina don't know if they sound
similar, but I hear House Wren for sure in many backgrounds. House Sparrow
for sure I hear even more than Wren. I was watching  I think PBS one day,
and the program showed some Mountain Bluebirds briefly and included their
song, my Cat immediately ran to the TV to watch recognizing that it was
BLuebird even though he only ever hears and watches my Eastern BLuebirds but
MOBLs are similar enough that he knew! He grew up watching my EABLs up close
as they used to use our deck railing to perch, babies used it too! I can
safely say Bluebirds are his favorite Bird, for he reacts to no other as he
does our beloved Bluebird!  (even when I play the EABL song on the Cornell
sight, he jumps up on my computer desk and looks behind my monitor trying in
vain to find the 'Bluebird' who  must be hiding there! )
-Wendy in OH

On Tue, Mar 16, 2010 at 5:08 PM, Duane Rice  wrote:

Love it.
Q: What is the most used bird call/sound/song on film/movies/tv?
 
A: A friend of mine says Morning Warbler. I say no way. Red-tailed Hawk or
Carolina Wren.
 
 What do ya'll think? 
   
Duane
 
 

  _____  

From: ezdz AT charter.net
To: bluebird-l AT list.cornell.edu
Subject: Heard a bluebird on film
Date: Tue, 16 Mar 2010 11:31:50 -0400

I usually cringe when I hear House Sparrows chirping nonstop in typical
Hollywood films.  However, we were watching a new movie, The Invention of
Lying, which was filmed in Lowell MA.  In one scene in the middle, the
actors were in the park and I heard a male bluebird singing!  What a nice
change.  Somebody is doing good work in Mass..

BTW, I have noticed that the songs of different males vary somewhat. I just
heard a weird one that sort of trilled right before his warble - a little
like a red-bellied woodpecker.

Bet from CT

 

  _____  

Hotmail: Trusted email with Microsoft's powerful SPAM protection. Sign up
now.  

 


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Subject: RE: Tree Swallows and Bluebirds
From: Duane Rice <drbirdsong4 AT hotmail.com>
Date: Tue, 16 Mar 2010 16:37:06 -0500
Rob, 

It would be interesting to find out for sure, if they really were the same pair 
of Barn Swallows riasing a second brood, or a second pair using a used nest, 
like Tree Swallows. 


I guess the only way to know, would be to band the birds, right? That would be 
so cool. 


 

I'm with you though, I think it's the same pair of Barn Swallows raising two 
broods. 


All I know is, by the time August rolls around, our barn and pasture are 
swarming with them. It's awesome. 


 

dr
 


From: rebarron AT gmail.com
Date: Tue, 16 Mar 2010 17:13:52 -0400
Subject: Re: Tree Swallows and Bluebirds
To: drbirdsong4 AT hotmail.com
CC: yumyumkatts AT voyager.net; bluebird-l AT cornell.edu

I've almost always seen barn swallows return to the same nest and hatch a 
second brood. I would think the ability to build their own nest as opposed to 
finding a secondary cavity gives them more time to raise two broods. 



Rob Barron


On 16 March 2010 16:53, Duane Rice  wrote:


As a rule, Tree Swallows raise only one brood per season, BUT, (there's always 
one) If nesting sites are in short supply, and you have mulitiple pairs, One 
pair will wait until the other is finished raising their brood, then the second 
pair will move in and raise theirs. So, it can cause you to believe one pair 
rasied two broods. 

Remember, they are migrants, so they are on a time schedule. The early ones, 
usually take a long time to get sarted building a nest,laying eggs,brooding, 
etc. I guess they're tired. 

The later ones are in more of a hurry and if they are taking over a used nest 
box, will only make minor adjustments before moving in. 

This behavior is also common among Barn Swallows too.    
BTW More Tree Swallows are being reported almost daily in Tennessee. 
dr
 
> From: yumyumkatts AT voyager.net
> To: bluebird-L AT cornell.edu
> Subject: RE: Tree Swallows and Bluebirds
> Date: Mon, 15 Mar 2010 15:29:40 -0400



> 
> 
> 
> TRES only have one brood here also and then they are gone. Usually, before
> they go south, they will return with the babies for a day and for short
> time. Maybe saying "goodbye".
> 
> 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-5426298-3587711 AT list.cornell.edu
> [mailto:bounce-5426298-3587711 AT list.cornell.edu] On Behalf Of Bruce Burdett
> Sent: Saturday, March 13, 2010 10:36 AM
> To: Paulette Cothern; Paula Ziebarth; bluebird
> Subject: Re: Tree Swallows and Bluebirds
> 
> Paulette,
>                       In my area, Tree Swallows raise only one brood and
> then disappear.
>  
> Bruce Burdett
> ----- Original Message ----- 
> From: Paulette Cothern 
> To: Paula Ziebarth ; bluebird 
> Sent: Saturday, March 13, 2010 10:22 AM
> Subject: Re: Tree Swallows and Bluebirds
> 
> Thanks for the box location suggestions.  I may try grouping more in my
> yard.  I'm glad you've had great success with fledging TRES.  Do they raise
> more than one brood like bluebirds or just one set?
> 
> 
> From: Paula Ziebarth 
> To: Paulette Cothern ; bluebird
> 
> Sent: Fri, March 12, 2010 6:53:44 AM
> Subject: Re: Tree Swallows and Bluebirds
> 
> Paulette,
> 
> By housing and fledging them each year, you may have some of the young
> returning with you this year to nest also and the population may increase
> there.  I always fledge over 40 TRES in our little yard on the island up
> north.  None nest with me here in our suburban lot in central Ohio, but they
> do nest less than a half a mile away on a small trail I have in public park
> around a wet retention pond.  If you want to house more, remember that they
> will nest fairly close together.  At the island, I have had them nesting as
> close as 7 yards apart, but that is unusual situation as populations and
> food sources for them there are huge.  One of my mentors who sets up TRES
> grids in our area recommends spacing boxes 25 yards apart.  He recommends 22
> yards as minimum distance between TRES boxes to reduce harrassment and
> competition - i.e. they get along fine at that distance whereas closer
> spacing and they are not happy with each other.
> 
> Wonderful regarding swallows nesting on the bridge.  Are they Bank Swallows,
> Barn Swallows?  I know Duane reported TRES are back in TN.  I have not seen
> any here in Ohio yet, but boxes are ready.
> 
> Regarding your airport proposal, Rob posted some very interesting
> information about bird strikes and airplanes.  If they airport management is
> concerned with birds nesting in boxes and attracting them, show them the
> hole size of the box (i.e. little birds) and make them understand that
> nesting EABL, rather than attracting flocks of their species which could be
> a problem, will actually chase away other members of their species due to
> their nesting territory requirements.  Individual birds of EABL or TRES size
> are no threat to pilot safety whereas large flock of almost any bird could
> be.  Nesting populations are not flocking populations.
> 
> Paula Z
> Powell (central) Ohio
> 
> 
> ----- Original Message ----- From: Paulette Cothern
> To: Paula Ziebarth ; bluebird
> Sent: Thursday, March 11, 2010 10:22 PM
> Subject: Re: Tree Swallows and Bluebirds
> 
> 
> Paula, wish I were that lucky!  I had 3 pair of TRES nesting in bluebird
> boxes in my backyard last year.  I would love to see even more of them here!
> I did watch the swallows build under a bridge on the Harpeth River last
> summer. There were 30 or more nests attached to the sides of the cocrete
> bridge--very impressive!  I'll have to drive over in a few weeks and see if
> they are back--about 20 miles from my home but worth the drive!  (DR if you
> are interested and need directions, let me know.)  Also, I may get my
> husband to ask the Springfield Airport owner's if we can put up bluebird
> boxes there.  He goes there (25 miles one way) a couple of times a week and
> he could check on the boxes while he's there.
> 
> Paulette
> N. Mid. TN
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
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Subject: Re: Heard a bluebird on film
From: EmailUser wensuz <wensuz AT isp.com>
Date: Tue, 16 Mar 2010 17:31:22 -0400
    Duane I hear Wren a lot, House or Carolina don't know if they sound
similar, but I hear House Wren for sure in many backgrounds. House Sparrow
for sure I hear even more than Wren. I was watching  I think PBS one day,
and the program showed some Mountain Bluebirds briefly and included their
song, my Cat immediately ran to the TV to watch recognizing that it was
BLuebird even though he only ever hears and watches my Eastern BLuebirds but
MOBLs are similar enough that he knew! He grew up watching my EABLs up close
as they used to use our deck railing to perch, babies used it too! I can
safely say Bluebirds are his favorite Bird, for he reacts to no other as he
does our beloved Bluebird!  (even when I play the EABL song on the Cornell
sight, he jumps up on my computer desk and looks behind my monitor trying in
vain to find the 'Bluebird' who  must be hiding
there! )                                                            -Wendy
in OH

On Tue, Mar 16, 2010 at 5:08 PM, Duane Rice  wrote:

> Love it.
> Q: What is the most used bird call/sound/song on film/movies/tv?
>
> A: A friend of mine says Morning Warbler. I say no way. Red-tailed Hawk or
> Carolina Wren.
>
>  What do ya'll think?
>
> Duane
>
>
> ------------------------------
> From: ezdz AT charter.net
> To: bluebird-l AT list.cornell.edu
> Subject: Heard a bluebird on film
> Date: Tue, 16 Mar 2010 11:31:50 -0400
>
> I usually cringe when I hear House Sparrows chirping nonstop in typical
> Hollywood films.  However, we were watching a new movie, The Invention of
> Lying, which was filmed in Lowell MA.  In one scene in the middle, the
> actors were in the park and I heard a male bluebird singing!  What a nice
> change.  Somebody is doing good work in Mass.
>
> BTW, I have noticed that the songs of different males vary somewhat. I just
> heard a weird one that sort of trilled right before his warble  a little 
like 

> a red-bellied woodpecker.
>
> Bet from CT
>
>  ------------------------------
> Hotmail: Trusted email with Microsofts powerful SPAM protection. Sign up
> now. 
>

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Subject: box pest query
From: "Lee, Jill" <Jill.Lee AT pgparks.com>
Date: Tue, 16 Mar 2010 17:29:20 -0400
Hey List!

 

I'm getting my parks' bluebird trails ready for the season and met with
some other trail care takers today.  They asked me what to do about ants
and I wasn't sure what to tell them.  I've seen some written sources say
that you can spray the box with something, but even if it's not bug
spray, I get very leery of spraying the insides of the boxes.  So, does
anyone have a better suggestion?  One person I talked to suggested using
the same substance used to keep gypsy moths off the trees, but apply it
to the post of the box.  Would that work?  Would something simple like
Vaseline around the post work?  (It's a 4x4 wood post.) 

 

I'm also wondering about wasp prevention.

 

 

Thanks,

Jill Lee

Lusby, MD

 


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Subject: RE: bluebird bodies
From: Duane Rice <drbirdsong4 AT hotmail.com>
Date: Tue, 16 Mar 2010 16:29:07 -0500
Paulette and evesdropper friends, 

 

Yes, I too found a pair each in three different boxes.... so far. I still 
haven't made my official rounds to all 100 boxes yet. I put cause of death,due 
to hypothermia (exposure). 


Although, one pair showed signs of trauma, in a box that the entrance had been 
chewed or chiselled wider. Brent repaired the opening, then I found the dead 
birds. So, it could've been a woodpecker that got them. 


I'm leaving for Arkansas tomorrow, so I won't be able to make it by til I get 
back. 


 

The Hummingbird program was great! Bob and Margie Sargeant really know their 
stuff. They were very entertaining and funny. 


 

While there, birding at Bell's Bend, I saw my first Bald Eagle of the year, and 
a flock of about 30 Sandhill Cranes flew right over the visitor's center on 
their way north. Beautiful! On the way home I stopped at Sycamore Creek and saw 
a bazillion ducks of several species, including hundreds of Wood Duck. Great 
Birding spot, for sure. 


 

I've been asked to set up a Bluebird booth at Dunbar Cave Spring Fling, as 
opposed to doing an hour program, like I usually do. 


It will be on May 1st. Keep it in mind. If you have any ideas, I'd like to hear 
them. 


Duane Rice

also in Mid Tenn.

over&0ut     
 


Date: Tue, 16 Mar 2010 12:23:15 -0700
From: cothern AT bellsouth.net
Subject: bluebird bodies
To: bluebird-L AT cornell.edu; drbirdsong4 AT hotmail.com





Duane and others,
 
I walked my trail of 20 boxes today to remove the straw I had put in for 
overwintering. I was sad to find 3 deceased males in one of the boxes. Their 
bodies were entact with no puncture wounds and no dried blood present. I'd like 
to know what could have caused their death. Could they have straved from lack 
of food. I don't think they had been dead too many days. Duane, I'll keep them 
in a plastic planter a few days if you have time to take a look at them. Duane, 
how was the hummingbird program at Bells Bend? 

 
paulette
N. Middle TN 		 	   		  
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Subject: Re: Tree Swallows and Bluebirds
From: Robert Barron <rebarron AT gmail.com>
Date: Tue, 16 Mar 2010 17:13:52 -0400
I've almost always seen barn swallows return to the same nest and hatch a
second brood.  I would think the ability to build their own nest as opposed
to finding a secondary cavity gives them more time to raise two broods.

Rob Barron

On 16 March 2010 16:53, Duane Rice  wrote:

>  As a rule, Tree Swallows raise only one brood per season, BUT, (there's
> always one) If nesting sites are in short supply, and you have mulitiple
> pairs, One pair will wait until the other is finished raising their brood,
> then the second pair will move in and raise theirs. So, it can cause you to
> believe one pair rasied two broods.
> Remember, they are migrants, so they are on a time schedule. The early
> ones, usually take a long time to get sarted building a nest,laying
> eggs,brooding, etc. I guess they're tired.
> The later ones are in more of a hurry and if they are taking over a used
> nest box, will only make minor adjustments before moving in.
> This behavior is also common among Barn Swallows too.
> BTW More Tree Swallows are being reported almost daily in Tennessee.
> dr
>
> > From: yumyumkatts AT voyager.net
> > To: bluebird-L AT cornell.edu
> > Subject: RE: Tree Swallows and Bluebirds
> > Date: Mon, 15 Mar 2010 15:29:40 -0400
>
> >
> >
> >
> > TRES only have one brood here also and then they are gone. Usually,
> before
> > they go south, they will return with the babies for a day and for short
> > time. Maybe saying "goodbye".
> >
> > 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-5426298-3587711 AT list.cornell.edu
> > [mailto:bounce-5426298-3587711 AT list.cornell.edu] On Behalf Of Bruce
> Burdett
> > Sent: Saturday, March 13, 2010 10:36 AM
> > To: Paulette Cothern; Paula Ziebarth; bluebird
> > Subject: Re: Tree Swallows and Bluebirds
> >
> > Paulette,
> >                       In my area, Tree Swallows raise only one brood and
> > then disappear.
> >
> > Bruce Burdett
> > ----- Original Message -----
> > From: Paulette Cothern
> > To: Paula Ziebarth ; bluebird
> > Sent: Saturday, March 13, 2010 10:22 AM
> > Subject: Re: Tree Swallows and Bluebirds
> >
> > Thanks for the box location suggestions.  I may try grouping more in my
> > yard.  I'm glad you've had great success with fledging TRES.  Do they
> raise
> > more than one brood like bluebirds or just one set?
> >
> >
> > From: Paula Ziebarth 
> > To: Paulette Cothern ; bluebird
> > 
> > Sent: Fri, March 12, 2010 6:53:44 AM
> > Subject: Re: Tree Swallows and Bluebirds
> >
> > Paulette,
> >
> > By housing and fledging them each year, you may have some of the young
> > returning with you this year to nest also and the population may increase
> > there.  I always fledge over 40 TRES in our little yard on the island up
> > north.  None nest with me here in our suburban lot in central Ohio, but
> they
> > do nest less than a half a mile away on a small trail I have in public
> park
> > around a wet retention pond.  If you want to house more, remember that
> they
> > will nest fairly close together.  At the island, I have had them nesting
> as
> > close as 7 yards apart, but that is unusual situation as populations and
> > food sources for them there are huge.  One of my mentors who sets up TRES
> > grids in our area recommends spacing boxes 25 yards apart.  He recommends
> 22
> > yards as minimum distance between TRES boxes to reduce harrassment and
> > competition - i.e. they get along fine at that distance whereas closer
> > spacing and they are not happy with each other.
> >
> > Wonderful regarding swallows nesting on the bridge.  Are they Bank
> Swallows,
> > Barn Swallows?  I know Duane reported TRES are back in TN.  I have not
> seen
> > any here in Ohio yet, but boxes are ready.
> >
> > Regarding your airport proposal, Rob posted some very interesting
> > information about bird strikes and airplanes.  If they airport management
> is
> > concerned with birds nesting in boxes and attracting them, show them the
> > hole size of the box (i.e. little birds) and make them understand that
> > nesting EABL, rather than attracting flocks of their species which could
> be
> > a problem, will actually chase away other members of their species due to
> > their nesting territory requirements.  Individual birds of EABL or TRES
> size
> > are no threat to pilot safety whereas large flock of almost any bird
> could
> > be.  Nesting populations are not flocking populations.
> >
> > Paula Z
> > Powell (central) Ohio
> >
> >
> > ----- Original Message ----- From: Paulette Cothern
> > To: Paula Ziebarth ; bluebird
> > Sent: Thursday, March 11, 2010 10:22 PM
> > Subject: Re: Tree Swallows and Bluebirds
> >
> >
> > Paula, wish I were that lucky!  I had 3 pair of TRES nesting in bluebird
> > boxes in my backyard last year.  I would love to see even more of them
> here!
> > I did watch the swallows build under a bridge on the Harpeth River last
> > summer. There were 30 or more nests attached to the sides of the cocrete
> > bridge--very impressive!  I'll have to drive over in a few weeks and see
> if
> > they are back--about 20 miles from my home but worth the drive!  (DR if
> you
> > are interested and need directions, let me know.)  Also, I may get my
> > husband to ask the Springfield Airport owner's if we can put up bluebird
> > boxes there.  He goes there (25 miles one way) a couple of times a week
> and
> > he could check on the boxes while he's there.
> >
> > Paulette
> > N. Mid. TN
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> > ***********************
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> >
> >
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Subject: Re: orange and jelly question
From: Robert Barron <rebarron AT gmail.com>
Date: Tue, 16 Mar 2010 17:10:25 -0400
I never had any red or gray squirrels show an interest in oranges or grape
jelly either, but European starlings definitely love oranges.  For such
intelligent cousins of the mynah bird, they don't seem as good at
recognizing individual human faces as house sparrows, so I took advantage of
this food preference.

Rob Barron
Wilderness, Virginia

On 15 March 2010 23:16, Shari Kastner  wrote:

>  Ive put out oranges and grape jelly for years. Never had any squirrels
> bother with them even though they are on the same hanger as the seed
> feeders, which they do eat from.
>
>
>
> Shari from New Berlin, WI
>
>
>
> *From:* bounce-5435420-3587604 AT list.cornell.edu [mailto:
> bounce-5435420-3587604 AT list.cornell.edu] *On Behalf Of *
> ckanchor AT comcast.net
> *Sent:* Monday, March 15, 2010 10:11 PM
> *To:* Bluebird-L
> *Subject:* orange and jelly question
>
>
>
> I'm not sure whether this is a dumb question or not.....Would squirrels be
> interested in either the oranges or jelly?
> It was mentioned that ants and hornets are a problem. Was wondering about
> the mammal pests.
>
> Charlene Anchor
> E C Illinois
>

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Subject: RE: Heard a bluebird on film
From: Duane Rice <drbirdsong4 AT hotmail.com>
Date: Tue, 16 Mar 2010 16:08:16 -0500
Love it.

Q: What is the most used bird call/sound/song on film/movies/tv?

 

A: A friend of mine says Morning Warbler. I say no way. Red-tailed Hawk or 
Carolina Wren. 


 

 What do ya'll think? 

   

Duane

 

 


From: ezdz AT charter.net
To: bluebird-l AT list.cornell.edu
Subject: Heard a bluebird on film
Date: Tue, 16 Mar 2010 11:31:50 -0400


I usually cringe when I hear House Sparrows chirping nonstop in typical 
Hollywood films. However, we were watching a new movie, The Invention of Lying, 
which was filmed in Lowell MA. In one scene in the middle, the actors were in 
the park and I heard a male bluebird singing! What a nice change. Somebody is 
doing good work in Mass. 

BTW, I have noticed that the songs of different males vary somewhat. I just 
heard a weird one that sort of trilled right before his warble  a little like 
a red-bellied woodpecker. 


Bet from CT 		 	   		  
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Subject: RE: orange and jelly question
From: Duane Rice <drbirdsong4 AT hotmail.com>
Date: Tue, 16 Mar 2010 15:56:19 -0500
No squirrels here. Hawks say yum yum.

But I wouldn't be surprised if they liked it, perhaps on a bagle with a little 
cream cheese? 


dr
 


Date: Tue, 16 Mar 2010 03:11:09 +0000
From: ckanchor AT comcast.net
To: Bluebird-L AT list.cornell.edu
Subject: orange and jelly question



I'm not sure whether this is a dumb question or not.....Would squirrels be 
interested in either the oranges or jelly? 

It was mentioned that ants and hornets are a problem. Was wondering about the 
mammal pests. 


Charlene Anchor
E C Illinois 		 	   		  
_________________________________________________________________
Hotmail is redefining busy with tools for the New Busy. Get more from your 
inbox. 


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Subject: RE: Tree Swallows and Bluebirds
From: Duane Rice <drbirdsong4 AT hotmail.com>
Date: Tue, 16 Mar 2010 15:53:07 -0500
As a rule, Tree Swallows raise only one brood per season, BUT, (there's always 
one) If nesting sites are in short supply, and you have mulitiple pairs, One 
pair will wait until the other is finished raising their brood, then the second 
pair will move in and raise theirs. So, it can cause you to believe one pair 
rasied two broods. 


Remember, they are migrants, so they are on a time schedule. The early ones, 
usually take a long time to get sarted building a nest,laying eggs,brooding, 
etc. I guess they're tired. 


The later ones are in more of a hurry and if they are taking over a used nest 
box, will only make minor adjustments before moving in. 


This behavior is also common among Barn Swallows too.    

BTW More Tree Swallows are being reported almost daily in Tennessee. 

dr
 
> From: yumyumkatts AT voyager.net
> To: bluebird-L AT cornell.edu
> Subject: RE: Tree Swallows and Bluebirds
> Date: Mon, 15 Mar 2010 15:29:40 -0400
> 
> 
> 
> TRES only have one brood here also and then they are gone. Usually, before
> they go south, they will return with the babies for a day and for short
> time. Maybe saying "goodbye".
> 
> 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-5426298-3587711 AT list.cornell.edu
> [mailto:bounce-5426298-3587711 AT list.cornell.edu] On Behalf Of Bruce Burdett
> Sent: Saturday, March 13, 2010 10:36 AM
> To: Paulette Cothern; Paula Ziebarth; bluebird
> Subject: Re: Tree Swallows and Bluebirds
> 
> Paulette,
>                       In my area, Tree Swallows raise only one brood and
> then disappear.
>  
> Bruce Burdett
> ----- Original Message ----- 
> From: Paulette Cothern 
> To: Paula Ziebarth ; bluebird 
> Sent: Saturday, March 13, 2010 10:22 AM
> Subject: Re: Tree Swallows and Bluebirds
> 
> Thanks for the box location suggestions.  I may try grouping more in my
> yard.  I'm glad you've had great success with fledging TRES.  Do they raise
> more than one brood like bluebirds or just one set?
> 
> 
> From: Paula Ziebarth 
> To: Paulette Cothern ; bluebird
> 
> Sent: Fri, March 12, 2010 6:53:44 AM
> Subject: Re: Tree Swallows and Bluebirds
> 
> Paulette,
> 
> By housing and fledging them each year, you may have some of the young
> returning with you this year to nest also and the population may increase
> there.  I always fledge over 40 TRES in our little yard on the island up
> north.  None nest with me here in our suburban lot in central Ohio, but they
> do nest less than a half a mile away on a small trail I have in public park
> around a wet retention pond.  If you want to house more, remember that they
> will nest fairly close together.  At the island, I have had them nesting as
> close as 7 yards apart, but that is unusual situation as populations and
> food sources for them there are huge.  One of my mentors who sets up TRES
> grids in our area recommends spacing boxes 25 yards apart.  He recommends 22
> yards as minimum distance between TRES boxes to reduce harrassment and
> competition - i.e. they get along fine at that distance whereas closer
> spacing and they are not happy with each other.
> 
> Wonderful regarding swallows nesting on the bridge.  Are they Bank Swallows,
> Barn Swallows?  I know Duane reported TRES are back in TN.  I have not seen
> any here in Ohio yet, but boxes are ready.
> 
> Regarding your airport proposal, Rob posted some very interesting
> information about bird strikes and airplanes.  If they airport management is
> concerned with birds nesting in boxes and attracting them, show them the
> hole size of the box (i.e. little birds) and make them understand that
> nesting EABL, rather than attracting flocks of their species which could be
> a problem, will actually chase away other members of their species due to
> their nesting territory requirements.  Individual birds of EABL or TRES size
> are no threat to pilot safety whereas large flock of almost any bird could
> be.  Nesting populations are not flocking populations.
> 
> Paula Z
> Powell (central) Ohio
> 
> 
> ----- Original Message ----- From: Paulette Cothern
> To: Paula Ziebarth ; bluebird
> Sent: Thursday, March 11, 2010 10:22 PM
> Subject: Re: Tree Swallows and Bluebirds
> 
> 
> Paula, wish I were that lucky!  I had 3 pair of TRES nesting in bluebird
> boxes in my backyard last year.  I would love to see even more of them here!
> I did watch the swallows build under a bridge on the Harpeth River last
> summer. There were 30 or more nests attached to the sides of the cocrete
> bridge--very impressive!  I'll have to drive over in a few weeks and see if
> they are back--about 20 miles from my home but worth the drive!  (DR if you
> are interested and need directions, let me know.)  Also, I may get my
> husband to ask the Springfield Airport owner's if we can put up bluebird
> boxes there.  He goes there (25 miles one way) a couple of times a week and
> he could check on the boxes while he's there.
> 
> Paulette
> N. Mid. TN
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
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> 
> 
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Subject: RE: bluebird bodies
From: Tina Mitchell <ztsipapu AT hotmail.com>
Date: Tue, 16 Mar 2010 14:22:19 -0600
Hi, Paulette (et al.)--
 
You can usually spot starvation by feeling the keel (the breastbone). If the 
keel is prominent, starvation is a likely culprit. 

 
Tina Mitchell
Coaldale, CO
http://sipapu.wordpress.com/ (information about central Colorado's 
pinyon/juniper habitat) 

http://galapagos2009.wordpress.com/ (a detailed trip report & photos about our 
2009 trip to Ecuador & the Galpagos Islands) 



 


Date: Tue, 16 Mar 2010 12:23:15 -0700
From: cothern AT bellsouth.net
Subject: bluebird bodies
To: bluebird-L AT cornell.edu; drbirdsong4 AT hotmail.com





Duane and others,
 
I'd like to know what could have caused their death. Could they have straved 
from lack of food. 

 		 	   		  
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Subject: bluebird bodies
From: Paulette Cothern <cothern AT bellsouth.net>
Date: Tue, 16 Mar 2010 12:23:15 -0700 (PDT)
Duane and others,

I walked my trail of 20 boxes today to remove the straw I had put in for 
overwintering. I was sad to find 3 deceased males in one of the boxes. Their 
bodies were entact with no puncture wounds and no dried blood present. I'd like 
to know what could have caused their death. Could they have stravedfrom lack 
of food. I don't thinkthey hadbeen deadtoomany days. Duane, I'll keep 
them in a plastic planter a few days if you have time to take a look at them. 
Duane, how was the hummingbird program at Bells Bend? 


paulette
N. Middle TN
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Subject: They're Heeeeere!!!
From: Jim <jimh_listserv AT verizon.net>
Date: Tue, 16 Mar 2010 10:43:49 -0700 (PDT)
Hadn't seen or heard from any BBs for months now. I put up the boxes a few 
weeks ago, one of which is beside my bird bath just 10 feet from the houseand 
my wife excitedly called me at work a few hours ago to report considerable 
attention from a blue bird couple and it looks like they are going to take it!! 
Yayyyy!!! The season has begun in central Maryland. 


Jim in Jarrettsville
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Subject: RE: Correction about Orioles
From: "Dottie" <yumyumkatts AT voyager.net>
Date: Tue, 16 Mar 2010 12:53:55 -0400
We call them Baltimore Orioles 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-5435057-3587711 AT list.cornell.edu
[mailto:bounce-5435057-3587711 AT list.cornell.edu] On Behalf Of Bob Walshaw
Sent: Monday, March 15, 2010 8:58 PM
To: Duane Rice; bluebird-l AT list.cornell.edu
Subject: Re: Correction about Orioles

It can sometimes be confusing, and they didn't ask me. The field guides show
the "Northern Oriole" but the text refers to the eastern "Baltimore " race.
Bob Walshaw, NE Ok.
----- Original Message ----- 
From: Duane Rice 
To: bluebird-l AT list.cornell.edu 
Sent: Monday, March 15, 2010 5:39 PM
Subject: Correction about Orioles

After some minor research, I discovered I made an error in saying Baltimore
Orioles had been renamed Northern Orioles. As I understand it now, Bullock's
Orioles and Baltimore's used to be considered the same species (Northen
Oriole). They were known to interbreed.
Anyway, upon further investigating by real ornithologists, it was discovered
they were actually two seperate species. So they named the Eastern species,
Baltimore (after Lord Baltimore) and the Western species were named
Bullocks. (which is what some people think renaming and classifying birds
is).
Are we clear class? Good. There will be a test on Monday. There will be no
math questions. 
Thank-you Shari, for calling it to question, I would've answered you
directly, but lost your e-mail somewhere on the net. 
Duane

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Subject: Re: Heard a bluebird on film
From: Debbie Highfill <canchaser321 AT AOL.COM>
Date: Tue, 16 Mar 2010 10:46:35 -0500
That is GREAT!!
I was on a trail ride the other day in Whitney Texas and d heard several Blues 
singing - it was GREAT!! 


The little male I have here does that trill before too, I think it is cute!
God Bless,
Debbie




On Mar 16, 2010, at 10:31 AM, Bet Zimmerman wrote:

> I usually cringe when I hear House Sparrows chirping nonstop in typical 
Hollywood films. However, we were watching a new movie, The Invention of Lying, 
which was filmed in Lowell MA. In one scene in the middle, the actors were in 
the park and I heard a male bluebird singing! What a nice change. Somebody is 
doing good work in Mass. 

> 
> BTW, I have noticed that the songs of different males vary somewhat. I just 
heard a weird one that sort of trilled right before his warble  a little like 
a red-bellied woodpecker. 

> 
> Bet from CT
> 


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Subject: Heard a bluebird on film
From: "Bet Zimmerman" <ezdz AT charter.net>
Date: Tue, 16 Mar 2010 11:31:50 -0400
I usually cringe when I hear House Sparrows chirping nonstop in typical
Hollywood films.  However, we were watching a new movie, The Invention of
Lying, which was filmed in Lowell MA.  In one scene in the middle, the
actors were in the park and I heard a male bluebird singing!  What a nice
change.  Somebody is doing good work in Mass..

BTW, I have noticed that the songs of different males vary somewhat. I just
heard a weird one that sort of trilled right before his warble - a little
like a red-bellied woodpecker.

Bet from CT

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Subject: Video of HOSP attacking eggs and nestlings
From: "Bet Zimmerman" <ezdz AT charter.net>
Date: Tue, 16 Mar 2010 09:32:08 -0400
http://www.spyonabird.com/videos.htm

Spy on a Bird has some interesting video clips online - one of a male House
Sparrow (HOSP) attacking eggs (he destroyed 2 out of 4) and later a female
attacking the two nestlings that hatched from the remaining eggs.  (The
nestlings did survive.)  The clips are on the bottom half of the page.  They
are in color too!    

You can also see a very nice clip of a female bluebird in the box.  

The only light source for this wireless color camera setup they offer is the
entrance hole, but the color during the day is quite nice.  (At night or low
light, these infrared cameras switch to black and white)  A wireless color
solar set up like this is in my plans someday....

Bet from CT

PS Don't forget that sparrow spookers are highly effective in preventing
House Sparrow attacks on active nests - you can make your own or buy one.
For more info see http://www.sialis.org/sparrowspooker.htm

PPS  I had a little trouble playing the longer video clips, not sure why
because I updated my windows media player - the shorter ones in the box
below played fine

PPPS:  For a video clip of a House Wren removing newborn bluebirds from a
nestbox, see http://www.sialis.org/videomoore.htm - it happens incredibly
fast - the House Wren is very efficient. Sneaky birds.  The babies in that
video were thrown on the ground, but were rescued by the landlord (who was
watching the cam at the time) and did survive.


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Subject: Bluebird Photos
From: "Gail Storm" <paws4fun AT aeroinc.net>
Date: Mon, 15 Mar 2010 23:35:03 -0500
Found a nice album of pictures on Webshots.

http://outdoors.webshots.com/album/546641837qihFOt


Gail Storm
NW IL on the WI border
Orangeville, IL 61060



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