Birdingonthe.Net Recent Postings from Bluebird > Home > Mail > Alerts Updated on Saturday, November 7 at 02:41 AM ET The most recently received Mail is at the top.	American Goldfinch,©Jennifer Brumfield

7 Nov Re: TRES / Hole Guards ["lviolett" ] 6 Nov Re: TRES / Box Depth [Paulette Cothern ] 6 Nov Re: TRES / Box Depth ["Bob Walshaw" ] 6 Nov RE: Wild Geese ["Joanne McIlhattan" ] 6 Nov Re: TRES / Box Depth ["Paula Ziebarth" ] 6 Nov Re: TRES / Box Depth [Paulette Cothern ] 6 Nov RE: TRES / Box Depth ["Gail Storm" ] 6 Nov Re: TRES / Box Depth [Paulette Cothern ] 6 Nov Re: Wild Geese [Paulette Cothern ] 5 Nov Re: TRES / Box Depth ["Bob Walshaw" ] 5 Nov Re: TRES / Box Depth ["Paula Ziebarth" ] 5 Nov Wild Geese ["Bob Walshaw" ] 5 Nov Re: TRES / Box Depth ["Bob Walshaw" ] 5 Nov TRES / Box Depth ["lviolett" ] 05 Nov O/T Re: hummingbirds [] 5 Nov Where are you Gail? ["Gail Storm" ] 5 Nov RE: Are they gone now? )c: ["Dottie" ] 5 Nov Are they gone now? )c: ["Gail Storm" ] 5 Nov Juncos ["Dottie" ] 4 Nov Re: Another special Bluebird lady ["Genie Guthrie" ] 4 Nov Another special Bluebird lady ["Bob Walshaw" ] 4 Nov Nestboxes in Mexico ["Keith Kridler" ] 3 Nov Re: bluebird lady [] 3 Nov re: bluebird lady [Paulette Cothern ] 3 Nov Franklin's Gulls ["Bob Walshaw" ] 3 Nov Re: Elsie Eltzroth, Bluebird Lady [] 3 Nov Re: Elsie Eltzroth, Bluebird Lady [] 3 Nov Re: Elsie Eltzroth, Bluebird Lady ["Bob Walshaw" ] 3 Nov RE: Owl Talk ["Dottie" ] 3 Nov Re: Elsie Eltzroth, Bluebird Lady ["Keith Kridler" ] 2 Nov Re: Owl Talk [] 2 Nov Re: Owl Talk [Judith Mangiero ] 2 Nov Owl Talk ["Bob Walshaw" ] 1 Nov nest box surprises [Tina Mitchell ] 31 Oct Elsie Eltzroth, Bluebird Lady [Wick Ann ] 31 Oct Re: Hard to tell them apart [] 31 Oct Bluebird vs Mourning Dove ["Judith Mangireo" ] 30 Oct Off topic - Birds used as fuel! ["Bob Walshaw" ] 30 Oct Hard to tell them apart [] 30 Oct RE: Controlling access to large nest boxes ["Bet Zimmerman" ] 29 Oct Controlling access to large nest boxes [] 29 Oct First junco SE MI ["Steve and Cindy Groene" ] 29 Oct Re: Bluebirds have returned [Judith Mangiero ] 29 Oct first junco Jeannette, PA ["Joanne McIlhattan" ] 29 Oct RE: roosting birds ["Dottie" ] 29 Oct Re: Bluebirds have returned [Candace Bickel ] 29 Oct Bluebirds have returned ["Judith Mangireo" ] 28 Oct Re: woodpeckers & entrance holes ["Bob Walshaw" ] 28 Oct Re: roosting birds [] 28 Oct Re: roosting birds [John Schuster ] 28 Oct RE: roosting birds ["Dottie" ] 28 Oct woodpeckers & entrance holes ["Keith Kridler" ] 27 Oct Bluebird trail update ["Bob Walshaw" ] 27 Oct Re: roosting birds ["Bob Walshaw" ] 27 Oct Re: roosting birds clarification [] 27 Oct Re: roosting birds [] 27 Oct Re: feral cats ["Bob Walshaw" ] 27 Oct Re: Woodpecker ["Bob Walshaw" ] 27 Oct Re: First Junco's arrive ["Bob Walshaw" ] 27 Oct Re: feral cats [] 27 Oct Re: RE: Woodpecker [] 27 Oct feral cats ["Robert Peak" ] 27 Oct RE: First Junco's arrive ["Dottie" ] 27 Oct OT: First Junco's arrive/Cat's that never leave [Duane Rice ] 27 Oct RE: Woodpecker/Winter Roosting [Duane Rice ] 27 Oct RE: First Junco's arrive ["linyl" ] 27 Oct RE: Woodpecker ["Brown, Andrew J." ] 27 Oct RE: Woodpecker ["Brown, Andrew J." ] 27 Oct Re: Woodpecker [Jason Kitting ] 27 Oct Re: Woodpecker [Lynn ] 27 Oct RE: Woodpecker [Duane Rice ] 27 Oct Re: Woodpecker [William Apgar ] 27 Oct Woodpecker [Lynn ] 26 Oct RE: First Junco's arrive ["Dottie" ] 26 Oct Re: First Junco's arrive ["Bob Walshaw" ] 26 Oct RE: First Junco's arrive ["Steve and Cindy Groene" ] Subject: Re: TRES / Hole Guards From: "lviolett" <lviolett AT earthlink.net> Date: Sat, 7 Nov 2009 00:31:01 -0800 Paulette asked what the shiny object was on the inside of the box with Tree Swallow eggs shown at http://home.earthlink.net/~lviolett/boxdepth.html. It is a screw that was used to cover up a mistake while making a new hole guard design. (I just uploaded a photo showing the chicks from those eggs at the holes about to fledge.) Woodpecker-proof hole guards: When the trail was acquired, some of the original 6.5" standard boxes at this location showed heavy woodpecker damage. Face hole guards are usually made from hardwood oak, but I wasn't looking forward to drilling 120 holes (60 boxes x 2-holers) for this trail. And metal guards from bird stores would be too expensive. And I wanted the insides of the holes to be protected from woodpeckers pecking around and under metal plates. The best solution I found was to take a length of PVC electrical pipe that has a slightly larger than 1.5" inside diameter (this will be your entry hole). Cut rings from the PVC pipe of the thickness that will fit flush in your box holes. Find a drill bit that will cut entry holes in the box to just accommodate the PVC hole ring and push the plastic ring into the hole. If the fit is a bit snug, no problem, just clip the ring open and take out a tiny slice, then squeeze it together and push it in. Get inexpensive "electrical washers" (sold by the bag) from Home Depot to put on the outside. The hole guards should last the life of the box. See photo of the woodpecker-proof holes on the Construction page (about the 4th photo down): http://home.earthlink.net/~lviolett/construction.html . Better instructions will be uploaded on that page during the next week or so. Linda Violett Yorba Linda, Calif. ----- Original Message ----- From: Paulette Cothern To: lviolett ; bluebird Sent: Friday, November 06, 2009 4:44 PM Subject: Re: TRES / Box Depth Iviolett, in the photo of the open box containing tree swallow eggs, what is the shiny object near the left opening? I am just being curious. Also, is the box in the same picture built on the same design as the box in the first picture that shows the bluebird at the opening? Thanks. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ *********************** To stop receiving messages from this list, send an e-mail message bluebird-L-request AT cornell.edu The body of the message is simply leave More info on leaving e-lists: http://www.cit.cornell.edu/computer/elist/lyris/leave-more.html Subject: Re: TRES / Box Depth From: Paulette Cothern <cothern AT bellsouth.net> Date: Fri, 6 Nov 2009 16:44:36 -0800 (PST) Iviolett, in the photo of the open box containing tree swallow eggs, what is the shiny object near the left opening?  I am just being curious. Also, is the box in the same picture built on the same design as the box in the first picture that shows the bluebird at the opening?  Thanks. ________________________________ From: lviolett To: Paulette Cothern Sent: Fri, November 6, 2009 10:45:15 AM Subject: Re: TRES / Box Depth  Paulette,   When I saw your first question about TRES and heat, and that it was addressed to Bob Walshaw (who doesn't have TRES), I didn't bother to respond to your heat question.   Anyway, since you took the time to post the off-list questions, here's more info. Notice in the photos of the chicks at the holes that there are no vents on my boxes and no drain holes.  Here in southern California (Yorba Linda) we typically get triple digit weather during the nesting season.  Have you read my Construction page?  http://home.earthlink.net/~lviolett/construction.html and my thoughts on floor space?  http://home.earthlink.net/~lviolett/floorsize.html   Any reason you don't use hanging boxes?   Linda   ----- Original Message ----- >From: Paulette Cothern >To: Bob Walshaw ; bluebird >Sent: Friday, November 06, 2009 4:55 AM >Subject: Re: TRES / Box Depth > > >Of the two boxes tree swallows chose to raise in this year on my place, both broods were found dead on the nest when they were about a week old and the parents had abandoned the nest.  I could not determine what caused their deaths.  After I threw out the nests and cleaned the boxes, no other birds built in the boxes.  This happened when the temps hit 100 a few days and the boxes are in an open field so I wonder if the birds overheated.  The boxes have large metal roofs for protection but with big holes drilled in the wood underneath the roofs for ventilation.  I am thinking about moving the boxes from the open field to the side of the field closer to the tree line to provide shade on hot days.  Do you think moving the boxes to a shady area would be helpful for the tree swallows and bluebirds?  > >Paulette >N. Mid. TN > > > > ________________________________ From: Bob Walshaw >To: lviolett ; BLUEBIRD-L AT cornell.edu >Sent: Thu, November 5, 2009 5:15:58 PM >Subject: Re: TRES / Box Depth > > >I don't have Tree Swallows here but I have seen conflicting comments in the literature - did the boxes have assistance for the young to reach the exit when fledging such as kerfs, wire or steps? Thanks, Bob Walshaw, NE OK. >----- Original Message ----- >>From: lviolett >>To: BLUEBIRD-L AT cornell.edu >>Sent: Thursday, November 05, 2009 3:58 PM >>Subject: TRES / Box Depth >> >> >>Last season I acquired a new trail that provided the venue to test box depth theory in regards to Tree Swallows.  Photos were upload last night:   Here's the link:  http://home.earthlink.net/~lviolett/boxdepth.html >>  >>They had choices of nestboxes ranging from hole-to-floor drops of 7.5" to 9".  All box depth choices were used by Tree Swallows without apparent preference or avoidance.  They did not build nests up to the holes.  Adults had no problem nesting in them.  Chicks had no problem fledging from them. >>  >>Linda Violett >>Yorba Linda, Calif. >>  ________________________________ >No virus found in this incoming message. >Checked by AVG - www.avg.com >Version: 8.5.424 / Virus Database: 270.14.52/2483 - Release Date: 11/05/09 19:52:00 > *********************** To stop receiving messages from this list, send an e-mail message bluebird-L-request AT cornell.edu The body of the message is simply leave More info on leaving e-lists: http://www.cit.cornell.edu/computer/elist/lyris/leave-more.html Subject: Re: TRES / Box Depth From: "Bob Walshaw" <walshaw1 AT cox.net> Date: Fri, 6 Nov 2009 10:09:21 -0600 I honestly don't feel qualified to answer this question. We don't have Tree Swallows in this area and with our almost constant winds I have never had a heat problem with my Bluebirds even though many of my boxes are in open areas and we often have 100 degree days in the summer. Bob Walshaw, NE OK. ----- Original Message ----- From: Paulette Cothern To: Bob Walshaw ; bluebird Sent: Friday, November 06, 2009 6:55 AM Subject: Re: TRES / Box Depth Of the two boxes tree swallows chose to raise in this year on my place, both broods were found dead on the nest when they were about a week old and the parents had abandoned the nest. I could not determine what caused their deaths. After I threw out the nests and cleaned the boxes, no other birds built in the boxes. This happened when the temps hit 100 a few days and the boxes are in an open field so I wonder if the birds overheated. The boxes have large metal roofs for protection but with big holes drilled in the wood underneath the roofs for ventilation. I am thinking about moving the boxes from the open field to the side of the field closer to the tree line to provide shade on hot days. Do you think moving the boxes to a shady area would be helpful for the tree swallows and bluebirds? Paulette N. Mid. TN ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ From: Bob Walshaw To: lviolett ; BLUEBIRD-L AT cornell.edu Sent: Thu, November 5, 2009 5:15:58 PM Subject: Re: TRES / Box Depth  I don't have Tree Swallows here but I have seen conflicting comments in the literature - did the boxes have assistance for the young to reach the exit when fledging such as kerfs, wire or steps? Thanks, Bob Walshaw, NE OK. ----- Original Message ----- From: lviolett To: BLUEBIRD-L AT cornell.edu Sent: Thursday, November 05, 2009 3:58 PM Subject: TRES / Box Depth Last season I acquired a new trail that provided the venue to test box depth theory in regards to Tree Swallows. Photos were upload last night: Here's the link: http://home.earthlink.net/~lviolett/boxdepth.html They had choices of nestboxes ranging from hole-to-floor drops of 7.5" to 9". All box depth choices were used by Tree Swallows without apparent preference or avoidance. They did not build nests up to the holes. Adults had no problem nesting in them. Chicks had no problem fledging from them. Linda Violett Yorba Linda, Calif. *********************** To stop receiving messages from this list, send an e-mail message bluebird-L-request AT cornell.edu The body of the message is simply leave More info on leaving e-lists: http://www.cit.cornell.edu/computer/elist/lyris/leave-more.html Subject: RE: Wild Geese From: "Joanne McIlhattan" <ejmci AT comcast.net> Date: Fri, 6 Nov 2009 09:03:35 -0500 Love your poem Bob. Love to hear the Canada Geese. Some stay here year round as I see and hear them occasionally all winter. It is not particularly warm here. There must be a food source. There are streams and ponds. Joanne Westmoreland County, PA - not very far from Pittsburgh *********************** To stop receiving messages from this list, send an e-mail message bluebird-L-request AT cornell.edu The body of the message is simply leave More info on leaving e-lists: http://www.cit.cornell.edu/computer/elist/lyris/leave-more.html Subject: Re: TRES / Box Depth From: "Paula Ziebarth" <paulaz AT columbus.rr.com> Date: Fri, 6 Nov 2009 08:25:06 -0500 Paulette, If 100 degree temperatures are not the norm during typical nesting season in your area, I would not move boxes. The problem with siting boxes in "shady" areas in my area is that usually places them in House Wren (HOWR) habitat and nesting Tree Swallows (TRES) and Eastern Bluebirds (EABL) clutches are in much more danger from HOWR depredation than almost any other problem I could think of. HOWR are a real pain where I live so I simply keep my boxes out of their habitat whenever possible, which means boxes out (at least 120 feet) in the open. Solitary trees are fine and desirable as perching site for adults and fledging site for fledglings, but they should be a decent distance from the nestbox so raccoons or other predators cannot use the tree as a jumpoff site. That is my experience here in central Ohio. If 100 degree temperatures are the norm, you could employ some of the temperature reducing tricks other members have posted about. I cannot comment on these because I have not had the need for them here. I have well vented, standard NABS cedar nestboxes with no heat shields. 100 degree temperatures are pretty hot so this may have caused the death of nestlings, but there are other possibilities as well. Depending on frequency of nest checks and rate of decomposition of nestlings (happens quick in those temps), it is often difficult to see other possible causes. Some possiblities (other than heat) might be: - A house sparrow (HOSP) could have killed nestlings in both boxes (indication would be small or large pecking damage to nestlings' heads - hard or impossible to see if decomposition sets in) - Abandonment or depredation of the parents (hawk or other predator may have killed the parents). - Death of parents by other causes such as ingestion of pesticide laden flying insects. - Death of nestlings by parents feeding them pesticide laden food. - Wet nest could cause hypothermia that would kill nestlings - Disease (West Nile or other) could kill parents and/or nestlings - Heavy parasite load common in swallow nests could cause death of nestlings (parasites really flourish in hot weather). In my experience, habitat is most important consideration when siting a nestbox. Open areas with some solitary fledging posts or trees are good TRES/EABL habitat so I'd leave my boxes there if it were me. I would rather deal with HOSP than HOWR. HOSP are easily trapped and dealt with whereas HOWR are a native, protected species. I deal with HOWR the way I do with other problem native wildlife - deny them breeding sites and don't feed them (i.e. encourage them to go elsewhere). Paula Z Powell (Central) Ohio ----- Original Message ----- From: Paulette Cothern To: Bob Walshaw ; bluebird Sent: Friday, November 06, 2009 7:55 AM Subject: Re: TRES / Box Depth Of the two boxes tree swallows chose to raise in this year on my place, both broods were found dead on the nest when they were about a week old and the parents had abandoned the nest. I could not determine what caused their deaths. After I threw out the nests and cleaned the boxes, no other birds built in the boxes. This happened when the temps hit 100 a few days and the boxes are in an open field so I wonder if the birds overheated. The boxes have large metal roofs for protection but with big holes drilled in the wood underneath the roofs for ventilation. I am thinking about moving the boxes from the open field to the side of the field closer to the tree line to provide shade on hot days. Do you think moving the boxes to a shady area would be helpful for the tree swallows and bluebirds? 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 leave More info on leaving e-lists: http://www.cit.cornell.edu/computer/elist/lyris/leave-more.html Subject: Re: TRES / Box Depth From: Paulette Cothern <cothern AT bellsouth.net> Date: Fri, 6 Nov 2009 05:22:56 -0800 (PST) Thanks.  I need to research what might be responsible for their deaths so I can learn how it might be prevented. ________________________________ From: Gail Storm To: bluebird Sent: Fri, November 6, 2009 7:16:05 AM Subject: RE: TRES / Box Depth I lost one brood of tree swallows & one of bluebirds but my loss I’m pretty sure was due to biting gnats.   Gail Storm NW IL on the WI border Orangeville, IL 61060   From:bounce-4538379-8767929 AT list.cornell.edu [mailto:bounce-4538379-8767929 AT list.cornell.edu] On Behalf Of Paulette Cothern Sent: Friday, November 06, 2009 6:56 AM To: Bob Walshaw; bluebird Subject: Re: TRES / Box Depth   Of the two boxes tree swallows chose to raise in this year on my place, both broods were found dead on the nest when they were about a week old and the parents had abandoned the nest.  I could not determine what caused their deaths.  After I threw out the nests and cleaned the boxes, no other birds built in the boxes.  This happened when the temps hit 100 a few days and the boxes are in an open field so I wonder if the birds overheated.  The boxes have large metal roofs for protection but with big holes drilled in the wood underneath the roofs for ventilation.  I am thinking about moving the boxes from the open field to the side of the field closer to the tree line to provide shade on hot days.  Do you think moving the boxes to a shady area would be helpful for the tree swallows and bluebirds?    Paulette N. Mid. TN   ________________________________ From:Bob Walshaw To: lviolett ; BLUEBIRD-L AT cornell.edu Sent: Thu, November 5, 2009 5:15:58 PM Subject: Re: TRES / Box Depth  I don't have Tree Swallows here but I have seen conflicting comments in the literature - did the boxes have assistance for the young to reach the exit when fledging such as kerfs, wire or steps? Thanks, Bob Walshaw, NE OK. ----- Original Message ----- >From:lviolett >To:BLUEBIRD-L AT cornell.edu >Sent:Thursday, November 05, 2009 3:58 PM >Subject:TRES / Box Depth >  >Last season I acquired a new trail that provided the venue to test box depth theory in regards to Tree Swallows.  Photos were upload last night:   Here's the link:  http://home.earthlink.net/~lviolett/boxdepth.html >  >They had choices of nestboxes ranging from hole-to-floor drops of 7.5" to 9".  All box depth choices were used by Tree Swallows without apparent preference or avoidance.  They did not build nests up to the holes.  Adults had no problem nesting in them.  Chicks had no problem fledging from them. >  >Linda Violett >Yorba Linda, Calif. >  *********************** To stop receiving messages from this list, send an e-mail message bluebird-L-request AT cornell.edu The body of the message is simply leave More info on leaving e-lists: http://www.cit.cornell.edu/computer/elist/lyris/leave-more.html Subject: RE: TRES / Box Depth From: "Gail Storm" <paws4fun AT aeroinc.net> Date: Fri, 6 Nov 2009 07:16:05 -0600 I lost one brood of tree swallows & one of bluebirds but my loss I’m pretty sure was due to biting gnats. Gail Storm NW IL on the WI border Orangeville, IL 61060 From: bounce-4538379-8767929 AT list.cornell.edu [mailto:bounce-4538379-8767929 AT list.cornell.edu] On Behalf Of Paulette Cothern Sent: Friday, November 06, 2009 6:56 AM To: Bob Walshaw; bluebird Subject: Re: TRES / Box Depth Of the two boxes tree swallows chose to raise in this year on my place, both broods were found dead on the nest when they were about a week old and the parents had abandoned the nest. I could not determine what caused their deaths. After I threw out the nests and cleaned the boxes, no other birds built in the boxes. This happened when the temps hit 100 a few days and the boxes are in an open field so I wonder if the birds overheated. The boxes have large metal roofs for protection but with big holes drilled in the wood underneath the roofs for ventilation. I am thinking about moving the boxes from the open field to the side of the field closer to the tree line to provide shade on hot days. Do you think moving the boxes to a shady area would be helpful for the tree swallows and bluebirds? Paulette N. Mid. TN _____ From: Bob Walshaw To: lviolett ; BLUEBIRD-L AT cornell.edu Sent: Thu, November 5, 2009 5:15:58 PM Subject: Re: TRES / Box Depth  I don't have Tree Swallows here but I have seen conflicting comments in the literature - did the boxes have assistance for the young to reach the exit when fledging such as kerfs, wire or steps? Thanks, Bob Walshaw, NE OK. ----- Original Message ----- From: lviolett To: BLUEBIRD-L AT cornell.edu Sent: Thursday, November 05, 2009 3:58 PM Subject: TRES / Box Depth Last season I acquired a new trail that provided the venue to test box depth theory in regards to Tree Swallows. Photos were upload last night: Here's the link: http://home.earthlink.net/~lviolett/boxdepth.html They had choices of nestboxes ranging from hole-to-floor drops of 7.5" to 9". All box depth choices were used by Tree Swallows without apparent preference or avoidance. They did not build nests up to the holes. Adults had no problem nesting in them. Chicks had no problem fledging from them. Linda Violett Yorba Linda, Calif. *********************** To stop receiving messages from this list, send an e-mail message bluebird-L-request AT cornell.edu The body of the message is simply leave More info on leaving e-lists: http://www.cit.cornell.edu/computer/elist/lyris/leave-more.html Subject: Re: TRES / Box Depth From: Paulette Cothern <cothern AT bellsouth.net> Date: Fri, 6 Nov 2009 04:55:55 -0800 (PST) Of the two boxes tree swallows chose to raise in this year on my place, both broods were found dead on the nest when they were about a week old and the parents had abandoned the nest.  I could not determine what caused their deaths.  After I threw out the nests and cleaned the boxes, no other birds built in the boxes.  This happened when the temps hit 100 a few days and the boxes are in an open field so I wonder if the birds overheated.  The boxes have large metal roofs for protection but with big holes drilled in the wood underneath the roofs for ventilation.  I am thinking about moving the boxes from the open field to the side of the field closer to the tree line to provide shade on hot days.  Do you think moving the boxes to a shady area would be helpful for the tree swallows and bluebirds?  Paulette N. Mid. TN ________________________________ From: Bob Walshaw To: lviolett ; BLUEBIRD-L AT cornell.edu Sent: Thu, November 5, 2009 5:15:58 PM Subject: Re: TRES / Box Depth  I don't have Tree Swallows here but I have seen conflicting comments in the literature - did the boxes have assistance for the young to reach the exit when fledging such as kerfs, wire or steps? Thanks, Bob Walshaw, NE OK. ----- Original Message ----- >From: lviolett >To: BLUEBIRD-L AT cornell.edu >Sent: Thursday, November 05, 2009 3:58 PM >Subject: TRES / Box Depth > > >Last season I acquired a new trail that provided the venue to test box depth theory in regards to Tree Swallows.  Photos were upload last night:   Here's the link:  http://home.earthlink.net/~lviolett/boxdepth.html >  >They had choices of nestboxes ranging from hole-to-floor drops of 7.5" to 9".  All box depth choices were used by Tree Swallows without apparent preference or avoidance.  They did not build nests up to the holes.  Adults had no problem nesting in them.  Chicks had no problem fledging from them. >  >Linda Violett >Yorba Linda, Calif. >  *********************** To stop receiving messages from this list, send an e-mail message bluebird-L-request AT cornell.edu The body of the message is simply leave More info on leaving e-lists: http://www.cit.cornell.edu/computer/elist/lyris/leave-more.html Subject: Re: Wild Geese From: Paulette Cothern <cothern AT bellsouth.net> Date: Fri, 6 Nov 2009 04:36:40 -0800 (PST) Thanks for another nice poem to enjoy!  There are several small ponds in the neighborhood on farm land in the area where I live so I get to enjoy the V formation as they fly over my house and often I hear them honking as they fly over as if to say "so long, see you next year."  Paulette N. Mid. TN near Nashville ________________________________ From: Bob Walshaw To: BLUEBIRD-L Sent: Thu, November 5, 2009 8:39:14 PM Subject: Wild Geese I love to listen to them; THE WILD GEESE As I walk in the moonlight And watch the sky South winging geese Go rushing by. And from a hundred throats Comes the age old song Telling of another year That has come and gone. "On to the south!" They seem to say Like shadowy angels On their way. I know in my heart They will be back When spring calls them To their northern track. By Bob Walshaw, NE OK. *********************** To stop receiving messages from this list, send an e-mail message bluebird-L-request AT cornell.edu The body of the message is simply     leave More info on leaving e-lists: http://www.cit.cornell.edu/computer/elist/lyris/leave-more.html *********************** To stop receiving messages from this list, send an e-mail message bluebird-L-request AT cornell.edu The body of the message is simply leave More info on leaving e-lists: http://www.cit.cornell.edu/computer/elist/lyris/leave-more.html Subject: Re: TRES / Box Depth From: "Bob Walshaw" <walshaw1 AT cox.net> Date: Thu, 5 Nov 2009 21:19:55 -0600 OK. Good. I apparently missed that she did this, as it was not mentioned in her post. I just remembered some comments in the literature. Bob Walshaw, NE OK. ----- Original Message ----- From: "Paula Ziebarth" To: "lviolett" ; Sent: Thursday, November 05, 2009 9:01 PM Subject: Re: TRES / Box Depth Linda, Your provision of kerfs for Tree Swallows (TRES) to climb out of boxes makes these great nest sites for them. When housing TRES, people must always recognize the need for kerfs in nestboxes, regardless of depth. Otherwise, boxes can easily become death traps for them. Without kerfs, they cannot climb out of the box after then enter. Another alternative is to put smaller mesh hardware cloth on inside box front to allow them to climb out. Paula Z Powell (central) Ohio ----- Original Message ----- From: lviolett To: BLUEBIRD-L AT cornell.edu Sent: Thursday, November 05, 2009 4:58 PM Subject: TRES / Box Depth Last season I acquired a new trail that provided the venue to test box depth theory in regards to Tree Swallows. Photos were upload last night: Here's the link: http://home.earthlink.net/~lviolett/boxdepth.html They had choices of nestboxes ranging from hole-to-floor drops of 7.5" to 9". All box depth choices were used by Tree Swallows without apparent preference or avoidance. They did not build nests up to the holes. Adults had no problem nesting in them. Chicks had no problem fledging from them. Linda Violett Yorba Linda, Calif. *********************** To stop receiving messages from this list, send an e-mail message bluebird-L-request AT cornell.edu The body of the message is simply leave More info on leaving e-lists: http://www.cit.cornell.edu/computer/elist/lyris/leave-more.html *********************** To stop receiving messages from this list, send an e-mail message bluebird-L-request AT cornell.edu The body of the message is simply leave More info on leaving e-lists: http://www.cit.cornell.edu/computer/elist/lyris/leave-more.html Subject: Re: TRES / Box Depth From: "Paula Ziebarth" <paulaz AT columbus.rr.com> Date: Thu, 5 Nov 2009 22:01:53 -0500 Linda, Your provision of kerfs for Tree Swallows (TRES) to climb out of boxes makes these great nest sites for them. When housing TRES, people must always recognize the need for kerfs in nestboxes, regardless of depth. Otherwise, boxes can easily become death traps for them. Without kerfs, they cannot climb out of the box after then enter. Another alternative is to put smaller mesh hardware cloth on inside box front to allow them to climb out. Paula Z Powell (central) Ohio ----- Original Message ----- From: lviolett To: BLUEBIRD-L AT cornell.edu Sent: Thursday, November 05, 2009 4:58 PM Subject: TRES / Box Depth Last season I acquired a new trail that provided the venue to test box depth theory in regards to Tree Swallows. Photos were upload last night: Here's the link: http://home.earthlink.net/~lviolett/boxdepth.html They had choices of nestboxes ranging from hole-to-floor drops of 7.5" to 9". All box depth choices were used by Tree Swallows without apparent preference or avoidance. They did not build nests up to the holes. Adults had no problem nesting in them. Chicks had no problem fledging from them. Linda Violett Yorba Linda, Calif. *********************** To stop receiving messages from this list, send an e-mail message bluebird-L-request AT cornell.edu The body of the message is simply leave More info on leaving e-lists: http://www.cit.cornell.edu/computer/elist/lyris/leave-more.html Subject: Wild Geese From: "Bob Walshaw" <walshaw1 AT cox.net> Date: Thu, 5 Nov 2009 20:39:14 -0600 I love to listen to them; THE WILD GEESE As I walk in the moonlight And watch the sky South winging geese Go rushing by. And from a hundred throats Comes the age old song Telling of another year That has come and gone. "On to the south!" They seem to say Like shadowy angels On their way. I know in my heart They will be back When spring calls them To their northern track. By Bob Walshaw, NE OK. *********************** To stop receiving messages from this list, send an e-mail message bluebird-L-request AT cornell.edu The body of the message is simply leave More info on leaving e-lists: http://www.cit.cornell.edu/computer/elist/lyris/leave-more.html Subject: Re: TRES / Box Depth From: "Bob Walshaw" <walshaw1 AT cox.net> Date: Thu, 5 Nov 2009 17:15:58 -0600 I don't have Tree Swallows here but I have seen conflicting comments in the literature - did the boxes have assistance for the young to reach the exit when fledging such as kerfs, wire or steps? Thanks, Bob Walshaw, NE OK. ----- Original Message ----- From: lviolett To: BLUEBIRD-L AT cornell.edu Sent: Thursday, November 05, 2009 3:58 PM Subject: TRES / Box Depth Last season I acquired a new trail that provided the venue to test box depth theory in regards to Tree Swallows. Photos were upload last night: Here's the link: http://home.earthlink.net/~lviolett/boxdepth.html They had choices of nestboxes ranging from hole-to-floor drops of 7.5" to 9". All box depth choices were used by Tree Swallows without apparent preference or avoidance. They did not build nests up to the holes. Adults had no problem nesting in them. Chicks had no problem fledging from them. Linda Violett Yorba Linda, Calif. *********************** To stop receiving messages from this list, send an e-mail message bluebird-L-request AT cornell.edu The body of the message is simply leave More info on leaving e-lists: http://www.cit.cornell.edu/computer/elist/lyris/leave-more.html Subject: TRES / Box Depth From: "lviolett" <lviolett AT earthlink.net> Date: Thu, 5 Nov 2009 13:58:59 -0800 Last season I acquired a new trail that provided the venue to test box depth theory in regards to Tree Swallows. Photos were upload last night: Here's the link: http://home.earthlink.net/~lviolett/boxdepth.html They had choices of nestboxes ranging from hole-to-floor drops of 7.5" to 9". All box depth choices were used by Tree Swallows without apparent preference or avoidance. They did not build nests up to the holes. Adults had no problem nesting in them. Chicks had no problem fledging from them. Linda Violett Yorba Linda, Calif. *********************** To stop receiving messages from this list, send an e-mail message bluebird-L-request AT cornell.edu The body of the message is simply leave More info on leaving e-lists: http://www.cit.cornell.edu/computer/elist/lyris/leave-more.html Subject: O/T Re: hummingbirds From: pamsfe AT aol.com Date: Thu, 05 Nov 2009 13:04:08 -0500 I had a black-chinned at my hummingbird feeders ( we are at 7000') on October 29th and 30th in the middle of a snowstorm and temperatures dipping to 12 degrees two nights in a row. I was bringing in my hummingbird feeders at night and putting them out in the morning a and having to take them down again mid-day and thaw in hot water. Another was at my birdbath on November 2nd after the temps. had warmed up. I didn't see it go to the feeder, but it was fluttering over the bird bath. I think this one was a broadtail. So I will keep my feeders up a couple more weeks also. We are back into the mid-sixties. Pam (Santa Fe, NM) -----Original Message----- From: Dottie To: Bluebird L Sent: Thu, Nov 5, 2009 6:42 am Subject: Juncos First Juncos (snowbirds) here on November 2nd. Snow mixed with rain was predicted around 6am on November 3rd but I was asleep so don’t know if it really did snow. Also, a ruby throat hummer here on the feeders on November 5th! I have never heard of a ruby throat around here this late. I still have two feeders up due to the honey bees and woodpeckers and our warm weather—in the 50’s mostly. I’m putting up two clean feeders right now! Dottie, Hickory Hollow Brown County, Indiana (50 miles south of Indianapolis) Lat: 39.371N Lon: 86.261W Zone 5 Elevation: 680 ft *********************** To stop receiving messages from this list, send an e-mail message bluebird-L-request AT cornell.edu The body of the message is simply leave More info on leaving e-lists: http://www.cit.cornell.edu/computer/elist/lyris/leave-more.html Subject: Where are you Gail? From: "Gail Storm" <paws4fun AT aeroinc.net> Date: Thu, 5 Nov 2009 09:13:14 -0600 Sorry, forgot to click on the Bluebird signature when I sent my email. Gail Storm NW IL on the WI border Orangeville, IL 61060 -----Original Message----- From: bounce-4534563-8767929 AT list.cornell.edu [mailto:bounce-4534563-8767929 AT list.cornell.edu] On Behalf Of Dottie Sent: Thursday, November 05, 2009 9:04 AM To: Bluebird L Subject: RE: Are they gone now? )c: I saw a BB fly off the top of a BB box yesterday near Nashville, IN. I thought I saw a flock of them back in our hinterlands last week but I couldn’t be for sure. Where are you located, Gail? 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-4534407-3587711 AT list.cornell.edu [mailto:bounce-4534407-3587711 AT list.cornell.edu] On Behalf Of Gail Storm Sent: Thursday, November 05, 2009 9:28 AM To: 'Bluebird-L' Subject: Are they gone now? )c: On my last 2 walks in our pastures/woods area I haven’t heard a bluebird. I’m thinking that mine are gone now. Last time I saw them the huge flock that I had been seeing (about 50 to 75) was down to about 10 birds. I’ll check again today but it doesn’t sound good (well it doesn’t sound at all ). I miss them already. We don’t have any bluebirds that stay the winter here. We’re just too windy and cold since where we’re at is in the little thumb of the weather zone that comes down into IL at the north border central. Put out the first feeders of the year since my chickadees and nuthatches have been in the yard looking for their seeds. I miss seeing them in the summer when I don’t fill feeders but allow them to teach their young the right way and places to eat (just my personal thoughts). We’re having really nice and warm weather for this time of year here so I’ll be going out in the Kubota and working on winterizing the nestboxes for the birds to use this winter. Spooked a woodpecker out of one of the boxes that is along the lane where I walk the dogs the other evening. I was late going out and it was just getting dark as I came back and when it heard us coming it flew out and up into a tree. I’m pretty sure it was a downy. Husband brought me some nice pine shavings to put in them which is what I do each winter. The birds seem to appreciate it. I also just tape over the vent holes. I’m going to move some of my boxes this fall too since I’ve been having such good luck with pairing boxes so that I get tree swallows as well as bluebirds or others together. It also seems like the HOSP don’t really like having a couple sets of birds in close proximity to fend them off and I haven’t had to trap as much this year. I do think that my trapping and destroy method here on the farm over the winter really has helped with the large number of HOSP that we get on farms. I use the repeating trap and it does work better than any other one I’ve had. I’ve had my trap for several years now and use it mostly over the winter so that I’m not needing to release so many of the “good” birds that I catch. I do catch juncos and an occasional chickadee in the winter but they can be released unhurt and I think once they’ve been caught, they don’t get caught a second time. Wish I could band birds, I’d like to see if I’m right. We can’t stop feeding the sheep and horses but we can use that tendency for the HOSP to gather in groups in winter to our advantage. We also plan on using our netting to catch them in the barn in the morning when we open up the doors and they want to fly out after roosting in there at night. It was a very good year for us for birds fledged here on the farm. I don’t have time to add up the numbers right now but I’d guess well over 150 for sure. We have all our Christmas presents ready all ready for our friends and neighbors. We give them each a nestbox and the Bluebird’s Monitor book. I have been able to get the books off www.paperbackswap.com for free (well I have to ship a book to get a book but that’s about $2.50 ea. on average) and so far have gotten at least 6 now that way. So a book, a box, and we go out and put up the box with them so that we know it’s in the right place, or we at least pick out the place and when the ground thaws they put in the post and they’re set. We have several neighbors now that are monitoring at least one box of their own. Well, that’s it for a while, back to the paying job, getting ready for winter, and a bit of time to play in the sunshine these next few days. Gail *********************** To stop receiving messages from this list, send an e-mail message bluebird-L-request AT cornell.edu The body of the message is simply leave More info on leaving e-lists: http://www.cit.cornell.edu/computer/elist/lyris/leave-more.html *********************** To stop receiving messages from this list, send an e-mail message bluebird-L-request AT cornell.edu The body of the message is simply leave More info on leaving e-lists: http://www.cit.cornell.edu/computer/elist/lyris/leave-more.html Subject: RE: Are they gone now? )c: From: "Dottie" <yumyumkatts AT voyager.net> Date: Thu, 5 Nov 2009 10:03:38 -0500 I saw a BB fly off the top of a BB box yesterday near Nashville, IN. I thought I saw a flock of them back in our hinterlands last week but I couldn’t be for sure. Where are you located, Gail? 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-4534407-3587711 AT list.cornell.edu [mailto:bounce-4534407-3587711 AT list.cornell.edu] On Behalf Of Gail Storm Sent: Thursday, November 05, 2009 9:28 AM To: 'Bluebird-L' Subject: Are they gone now? )c: On my last 2 walks in our pastures/woods area I haven’t heard a bluebird. I’m thinking that mine are gone now. Last time I saw them the huge flock that I had been seeing (about 50 to 75) was down to about 10 birds. I’ll check again today but it doesn’t sound good (well it doesn’t sound at all ). I miss them already. We don’t have any bluebirds that stay the winter here. We’re just too windy and cold since where we’re at is in the little thumb of the weather zone that comes down into IL at the north border central. Put out the first feeders of the year since my chickadees and nuthatches have been in the yard looking for their seeds. I miss seeing them in the summer when I don’t fill feeders but allow them to teach their young the right way and places to eat (just my personal thoughts). We’re having really nice and warm weather for this time of year here so I’ll be going out in the Kubota and working on winterizing the nestboxes for the birds to use this winter. Spooked a woodpecker out of one of the boxes that is along the lane where I walk the dogs the other evening. I was late going out and it was just getting dark as I came back and when it heard us coming it flew out and up into a tree. I’m pretty sure it was a downy. Husband brought me some nice pine shavings to put in them which is what I do each winter. The birds seem to appreciate it. I also just tape over the vent holes. I’m going to move some of my boxes this fall too since I’ve been having such good luck with pairing boxes so that I get tree swallows as well as bluebirds or others together. It also seems like the HOSP don’t really like having a couple sets of birds in close proximity to fend them off and I haven’t had to trap as much this year. I do think that my trapping and destroy method here on the farm over the winter really has helped with the large number of HOSP that we get on farms. I use the repeating trap and it does work better than any other one I’ve had. I’ve had my trap for several years now and use it mostly over the winter so that I’m not needing to release so many of the “good” birds that I catch. I do catch juncos and an occasional chickadee in the winter but they can be released unhurt and I think once they’ve been caught, they don’t get caught a second time. Wish I could band birds, I’d like to see if I’m right. We can’t stop feeding the sheep and horses but we can use that tendency for the HOSP to gather in groups in winter to our advantage. We also plan on using our netting to catch them in the barn in the morning when we open up the doors and they want to fly out after roosting in there at night. It was a very good year for us for birds fledged here on the farm. I don’t have time to add up the numbers right now but I’d guess well over 150 for sure. We have all our Christmas presents ready all ready for our friends and neighbors. We give them each a nestbox and the Bluebird’s Monitor book. I have been able to get the books off www.paperbackswap.com for free (well I have to ship a book to get a book but that’s about $2.50 ea. on average) and so far have gotten at least 6 now that way. So a book, a box, and we go out and put up the box with them so that we know it’s in the right place, or we at least pick out the place and when the ground thaws they put in the post and they’re set. We have several neighbors now that are monitoring at least one box of their own. Well, that’s it for a while, back to the paying job, getting ready for winter, and a bit of time to play in the sunshine these next few days. Gail *********************** To stop receiving messages from this list, send an e-mail message bluebird-L-request AT cornell.edu The body of the message is simply leave More info on leaving e-lists: http://www.cit.cornell.edu/computer/elist/lyris/leave-more.html Subject: Are they gone now? )c: From: "Gail Storm" <paws4fun AT aeroinc.net> Date: Thu, 5 Nov 2009 08:27:33 -0600 On my last 2 walks in our pastures/woods area I haven't heard a bluebird. I'm thinking that mine are gone now. Last time I saw them the huge flock that I had been seeing (about 50 to 75) was down to about 10 birds. I'll check again today but it doesn't sound good (well it doesn't sound at all ). I miss them already. We don't have any bluebirds that stay the winter here. We're just too windy and cold since where we're at is in the little thumb of the weather zone that comes down into IL at the north border central. Put out the first feeders of the year since my chickadees and nuthatches have been in the yard looking for their seeds. I miss seeing them in the summer when I don't fill feeders but allow them to teach their young the right way and places to eat (just my personal thoughts). We're having really nice and warm weather for this time of year here so I'll be going out in the Kubota and working on winterizing the nestboxes for the birds to use this winter. Spooked a woodpecker out of one of the boxes that is along the lane where I walk the dogs the other evening. I was late going out and it was just getting dark as I came back and when it heard us coming it flew out and up into a tree. I'm pretty sure it was a downy. Husband brought me some nice pine shavings to put in them which is what I do each winter. The birds seem to appreciate it. I also just tape over the vent holes. I'm going to move some of my boxes this fall too since I've been having such good luck with pairing boxes so that I get tree swallows as well as bluebirds or others together. It also seems like the HOSP don't really like having a couple sets of birds in close proximity to fend them off and I haven't had to trap as much this year. I do think that my trapping and destroy method here on the farm over the winter really has helped with the large number of HOSP that we get on farms. I use the repeating trap and it does work better than any other one I've had. I've had my trap for several years now and use it mostly over the winter so that I'm not needing to release so many of the "good" birds that I catch. I do catch juncos and an occasional chickadee in the winter but they can be released unhurt and I think once they've been caught, they don't get caught a second time. Wish I could band birds, I'd like to see if I'm right. We can't stop feeding the sheep and horses but we can use that tendency for the HOSP to gather in groups in winter to our advantage. We also plan on using our netting to catch them in the barn in the morning when we open up the doors and they want to fly out after roosting in there at night. It was a very good year for us for birds fledged here on the farm. I don't have time to add up the numbers right now but I'd guess well over 150 for sure. We have all our Christmas presents ready all ready for our friends and neighbors. We give them each a nestbox and the Bluebird's Monitor book. I have been able to get the books off www.paperbackswap.com for free (well I have to ship a book to get a book but that's about $2.50 ea. on average) and so far have gotten at least 6 now that way. So a book, a box, and we go out and put up the box with them so that we know it's in the right place, or we at least pick out the place and when the ground thaws they put in the post and they're set. We have several neighbors now that are monitoring at least one box of their own. Well, that's it for a while, back to the paying job, getting ready for winter, and a bit of time to play in the sunshine these next few days. Gail *********************** To stop receiving messages from this list, send an e-mail message bluebird-L-request AT cornell.edu The body of the message is simply leave More info on leaving e-lists: http://www.cit.cornell.edu/computer/elist/lyris/leave-more.html Subject: Juncos From: "Dottie" <yumyumkatts AT voyager.net> Date: Thu, 5 Nov 2009 08:42:04 -0500 First Juncos (snowbirds) here on November 2nd. Snow mixed with rain was predicted around 6am on November 3rd but I was asleep so don't know if it really did snow. Also, a ruby throat hummer here on the feeders on November 5th! I have never heard of a ruby throat around here this late. I still have two feeders up due to the honey bees and woodpeckers and our warm weather-in the 50's mostly. I'm putting up two clean feeders right now! Dottie, Hickory Hollow Brown County, Indiana (50 miles south of Indianapolis) Lat: 39.371N Lon: 86.261W Zone 5 Elevation: 680 ft *********************** To stop receiving messages from this list, send an e-mail message bluebird-L-request AT cornell.edu The body of the message is simply leave More info on leaving e-lists: http://www.cit.cornell.edu/computer/elist/lyris/leave-more.html Subject: Re: Another special Bluebird lady From: "Genie Guthrie" <genie3g AT msn.com> Date: Wed, 4 Nov 2009 22:05:02 -0500 What a lovely tribute! It's great to have you sharing your creative side - I'm thoroughly enjoying your poetry! Genie, Suwanee GA -------------------------------------------------- From: "Bob Walshaw" Sent: Wednesday, November 04, 2009 8:20 PM To: "BLUEBIRD-L" Subject: Another special Bluebird lady > And she is one special lady, Charlotte Jernigan of > Wagoner, Oklahoma. She retired some years ago as > President of NABS, and more recently founded the > Oklahoma Bluebird Society. She lost her husband many > years ago, but continued to monitor her Bluebird trail > in the Sequoyah National Park near her home. > > After working with her in starting the Oklahoma > Bluebird Society I was inspired to write the following: > > > THE BLUEBIRD LADY > > Her husband sleeps upon the hill, > And yet she helps the Bluebirds still. > They used to walk the trail together, > Going out in any weather. > > Nestboxes built with loving hands > Around their spacious farm still stand > Offering shelter, space and rest > To birds needing a place to nest. > > She watches them and records with care > In the book they used to share > Every failure and success > And what occurs in every nest. > > And though she walks with ancient knees > She even helps the Chickadees. > Her days are full from day to night > And though alone her thoughts are bright. > > The sparrow traps she used to hate > Now help her to eliminate > The house sparrows with their vicious ways > That have spoiled so many of her days. > > She knows that for Bluebirds to survive > Those alien killers must not thrive. > She does not like to use the traps > But knows her vigilance must not lapse. > > She loves her cat but its not out > While the Bluebirds are about. > Even the dog stays inside, > She feels his bark they won't abide. > > She watches the parents hunt and feed > Among the grasses and the weeds. > When babies fledge she heaves a sigh, > Another year is rushing by. > > And as she goes to bed at night > And says a prayer and turns off the light > She knows the one upon the hill > Is with her and their Bluebirds still. > > By Bob Walshaw, NE OK. > > > *********************** > To stop receiving messages from this list, send an e-mail message > bluebird-L-request AT cornell.edu > The body of the message is simply > leave > > More info on leaving e-lists: > http://www.cit.cornell.edu/computer/elist/lyris/leave-more.html *********************** To stop receiving messages from this list, send an e-mail message bluebird-L-request AT cornell.edu The body of the message is simply leave More info on leaving e-lists: http://www.cit.cornell.edu/computer/elist/lyris/leave-more.html Subject: Another special Bluebird lady From: "Bob Walshaw" <walshaw1 AT cox.net> Date: Wed, 4 Nov 2009 19:20:44 -0600 And she is one special lady, Charlotte Jernigan of Wagoner, Oklahoma. She retired some years ago as President of NABS, and more recently founded the Oklahoma Bluebird Society. She lost her husband many years ago, but continued to monitor her Bluebird trail in the Sequoyah National Park near her home. After working with her in starting the Oklahoma Bluebird Society I was inspired to write the following: THE BLUEBIRD LADY Her husband sleeps upon the hill, And yet she helps the Bluebirds still. They used to walk the trail together, Going out in any weather. Nestboxes built with loving hands Around their spacious farm still stand Offering shelter, space and rest To birds needing a place to nest. She watches them and records with care In the book they used to share Every failure and success And what occurs in every nest. And though she walks with ancient knees She even helps the Chickadees. Her days are full from day to night And though alone her thoughts are bright. The sparrow traps she used to hate Now help her to eliminate The house sparrows with their vicious ways That have spoiled so many of her days. She knows that for Bluebirds to survive Those alien killers must not thrive. She does not like to use the traps But knows her vigilance must not lapse. She loves her cat but its not out While the Bluebirds are about. Even the dog stays inside, She feels his bark they won't abide. She watches the parents hunt and feed Among the grasses and the weeds. When babies fledge she heaves a sigh, Another year is rushing by. And as she goes to bed at night And says a prayer and turns off the light She knows the one upon the hill Is with her and their Bluebirds still. By Bob Walshaw, NE OK. *********************** To stop receiving messages from this list, send an e-mail message bluebird-L-request AT cornell.edu The body of the message is simply leave More info on leaving e-lists: http://www.cit.cornell.edu/computer/elist/lyris/leave-more.html Subject: Nestboxes in Mexico From: "Keith Kridler" <txbluebirder AT suddenlink.net> Date: Wed, 4 Nov 2009 07:57:38 -0600 Keith Kridler Mt. Pleasant, Texas day time temperatures 48*F<78*F the past few days. Below is a link to a popular style of nestboxes in Mexico. http://www.shop.com/Rustic+Clay+Birdhouses+Set+of+3+-152356921-p+.xhtml Most of the nestboxes actually made in Mexico that I have seen exported to the USA are pottery type nestboxes. I have only made one trip down into Mexico, a high school band trip to Monterey Mexico in 1973. During the bus trip I saw some Eastern Bluebirds sitting on power lines or fence lines just as you would here in the rest of North America. Mexico rural residents are extremely poor on average with the average farm in Mexico only being one hectare or 2.1 acres that are usually plowed by animal or human power for planting subsistent crops. Goats raised for milk and meat are more popular than cattle for small farmers but these animals really wipe out the broad leafed plants leaving behind the grasses. They would not think about putting up and monitoring a bluebird trail UNLESS it could benefit their farming practices. House Sparrows were abundant in the cities back in '73. I saw collections of bird house gourds grouped as if for attracting Purple Martins but I don't recall actually seeing any active martin colonies. The average farmer would kill any House Sparrows nesting nearby as they would compete with their back yard poultry for food. Most of the House Sparrows I saw nesting were in large colonies in twiggy tree branches well up off of the ground. Again it would indicate that it was safer for the sparrows to nest where humans could not reach their nest. Again due to the economy down there you saw more of the tin can or "coffee can" type nestboxes placed for cavity nesting birds. All across the south in the 1970's it was common to see people put up nestboxes made from something they bought a product in. Clorox bottles, one pound coffee cans, even waxed cardboard or plastic milk bottle nestboxes were and are still pretty common to see nailed up somewhere for birds to nest in. I really don't have any connections to get information out of Mexico about any cavity nesting programs BUT MANY of our common cavity nesters are also listed as nesting down in Mexico. It is very difficult to find anything on the internet about cavity nest box projects in Mexico that are not funded by USA money. The economy in Mexico and inheritance laws has about 1/2% of their population that immigrates annually to other countries in search of jobs and a better life. In 1973 we only had one family of Latino's in our whole school system in our county, today we have a little over 60% Latino's in the local grade schools with about 40% in high schools. So I give a LOT of bluebird programs to school age children and the Latino's have a VERY high number of households with caged birds as pets. The Latino children as with other races REALLY enjoy getting to make a wood "bluebird" house to take home and put up. Again MANY of these children have already been through my programs or the Master Gardener Programs on nestboxes or gourds and these children brag about having the "bluebirds" nesting in their back yards. Today I consider it too dangerous to cross over the border into Mexico and travel alone or even in a small group anywhere down there. Since 2006 they have had a little more than 13,800 people killed just involved with the drug trade importing it across our common land border. You can Google search Mexico with satellite views and concentrate on the areas where the three species of bluebirds nest down there and get an idea of the vast territory that is available down there for nesting bluebirds and the other smaller cavity nesters. There are bluebirds that nest all the way down through Mexico and into Central America according to the various books. KK *********************** To stop receiving messages from this list, send an e-mail message bluebird-L-request AT cornell.edu The body of the message is simply leave More info on leaving e-lists: http://www.cit.cornell.edu/computer/elist/lyris/leave-more.html Subject: Re: bluebird lady From: KCBSP AT aol.com Date: Tue, 3 Nov 2009 21:59:28 EST ditto In a message dated 11/3/2009 9:27:33 P.M. Eastern Standard Time, cothern AT bellsouth.net writes: Ann, I enjoyed your post about the bluebird lady. I was amazed watching her handle the babies and put the bands on their legs. She made it look so easy. I loved the pockets she put them in while they waited to be banded. I would have thought they would suffocate. I learn so much about caring for bluebirds through the posts made to bluebird-L. Thanks to everyone who shares their knowledge. I just started caring for a trail this year and I have a lot to learn! Paulette Mid. TN mid 70's and sunshine all day--a lovely fall day *********************** To stop receiving messages from this list, send an e-mail message bluebird-L-request AT cornell.edu The body of the message is simply leave More info on leaving e-lists: http://www.cit.cornell.edu/computer/elist/lyris/leave-more.html Subject: re: bluebird lady From: Paulette Cothern <cothern AT bellsouth.net> Date: Tue, 3 Nov 2009 18:27:11 -0800 (PST) Ann, I enjoyed your post about the bluebird lady.  I was amazed watching her handle the babies and put the bands on their legs.  She made it look so easy.  I loved the pockets she put them in while they waited to be banded.  I would have thought they would suffocate.  I learn so much about caring for bluebirds through the posts made to bluebird-L.  Thanks to everyone who shares their knowledge.  I just started caring for a trail this year and I have a lot to learn! Paulette Mid. TN mid 70's and sunshine all day--a lovely fall day *********************** To stop receiving messages from this list, send an e-mail message bluebird-L-request AT cornell.edu The body of the message is simply leave More info on leaving e-lists: http://www.cit.cornell.edu/computer/elist/lyris/leave-more.html Subject: Franklin's Gulls From: "Bob Walshaw" <walshaw1 AT cox.net> Date: Tue, 3 Nov 2009 20:05:13 -0600 Franklin's Gulls against the sky, Another rite of fall, Wheeling after their insect prey, Too high to hear their calls. I first saw them years ago, A very perplexing sight. Dark gray when on the ground, But in the sky so white. Were they following the farmer's plow With Franklin on the plain? Or far far to the east Along the bounding main. By Bob Walshaw, NE OK. *********************** To stop receiving messages from this list, send an e-mail message bluebird-L-request AT cornell.edu The body of the message is simply leave More info on leaving e-lists: http://www.cit.cornell.edu/computer/elist/lyris/leave-more.html Subject: Re: Elsie Eltzroth, Bluebird Lady From: KCBSP AT aol.com Date: Tue, 3 Nov 2009 20:37:42 EST Keith, I have never been to Mexico and don't live near it or see I will go soon. Just curious what do you know about nestboxes in Mexico? And after that.. how many really are in Bermuda or other islands? Kathy In a message dated 11/3/2009 7:32:15 A.M. Eastern Standard Time, txbluebirder AT suddenlink.net writes: Keith Kridler Mt. Pleasant, Texas Below is the direct link to the video of Elsie. It is well worth watching to see the different types of nestboxes used by the various Oregon bluebirders in this program. _http://www.opb.org/programs/ofg/segments/view/1713_ (http://www.opb.org/programs/ofg/segments/view/1713) You can also see the types of predator guards some of the folks used on this sample of nestbox locations and also the heights of the nestboxes above the ground. We have been talking about preparing the nestboxes for winter and there is a good shot of Elsie's box that uses a small strip of wood to pivot up and close up the ventilation holes on this one nestbox. Elsie started bluebirding in the mid 1970's before the North American Bluebird Society formed. There was a wide spread movement in the 1920's after World War I and then again in the 1940's after World War II to put up nestboxes for birds but especially bluebirds. This effort dwindled away by the 1960's and there became a scattered resurgence of bluebirding in the late 1960's early 1970's mostly started by individuals. W.G. Duncan and Dr. Larry Zeleny wrote the monthly bluebird column in "THE PURPLE MARTIN NEWS" now called THE NATURE SOCIETY NEWS. Elsie also wrote a bluebird article back in the 1970's a couple of times a year for this paper. Most of the active bluebirders in the 1970's shared information on "their" bluebirds via this publication. I grew up reading about these experts!!! W.G Duncan was a doctor and a couple of times a year he had his secretary copy a couple of pages of letters that he had received that he considered really good bluebird information and at the height of his personal effort he would mail out upwards of 1,800 letters in the early 1970's to folks who had contacted him over the years. Back in those days you sent a question via a letter to the news and in a month or so you got an answer from Larry or you read about a similar problem or a short article from someone on how they were solving problems with their bluebirds. Some of the stuff was good from backyard bluebirders and some were myths:-)) The Nature Society News still publishes a monthly paper and Steve Garr, past president of NABS continues to write the monthly column on bluebirds. Today I am amazed when someone posts a question to the list and then gets a dozen good answers within a couple of hours. I often had to wait a month for bluebird help:-)) Back in the late 1970's when the North American Bluebird Society first formed there were probably about 250 really good bluebirders that were or had been monitoring nestboxes for multiple years and sharing what they had learned with others in their regions. Today you can find really good bluebirders all across North America. It is a shame we cannot join electronically with any of the Mexicans who might be putting up nestboxes just south of our border. We tend to forget that bluebirds nest well down into Mexico and many more migrate over the border during the winter months. It just seems that somewhere down there in that vast country that there are bound to be a couple of active bluebirders.....KK *********************** To stop receiving messages from this list, send an e-mail message bluebird-L-request AT cornell.edu The body of the message is simply leave More info on leaving e-lists: http://www.cit.cornell.edu/computer/elist/lyris/leave-more.html Subject: Re: Elsie Eltzroth, Bluebird Lady From: KCBSP AT aol.com Date: Tue, 3 Nov 2009 20:33:01 EST I had heard of her but never met her. Thank you for sharing Ann!! In a message dated 10/31/2009 11:21:48 P.M. Eastern Standard Time, jwick AT tds.net writes: I know Elsie would never post this link, but I thought all of you might enjoy reading about her and watching the video about her. (Click on the link at the end of the article where it says "Watch her story here online.") I am proud to call Elsie my friend. Well done, Elsie Eltzroth of Oregon!!! Ann Wick Black Earth, WI _http://blogs.opb.org/fieldjournal/2009/10/15/bluebirds-in-her-pockets/_ (http://blogs.opb.org/fieldjournal/2009/10/15/bluebirds-in-her-pockets/) *********************** To stop receiving messages from this list, send an e-mail message bluebird-L-request AT cornell.edu The body of the message is simply leave More info on leaving e-lists: http://www.cit.cornell.edu/computer/elist/lyris/leave-more.html Subject: Re: Elsie Eltzroth, Bluebird Lady From: "Bob Walshaw" <walshaw1 AT cox.net> Date: Tue, 3 Nov 2009 17:53:22 -0600 There are also many Bluebirders in Canada. I have received many requests for my free book from them, especially in Manitoba. With their short nesting season Bluebirds are able to have only one family a year. Bob Walshaw, NE OK. ----- Original Message ----- From: Keith Kridler To: Wick Ann ; Bluebird-L Sent: Tuesday, November 03, 2009 6:30 AM Subject: Re: Elsie Eltzroth, Bluebird Lady Keith Kridler Mt. Pleasant, Texas Below is the direct link to the video of Elsie. It is well worth watching to see the different types of nestboxes used by the various Oregon bluebirders in this program. http://www.opb.org/programs/ofg/segments/view/1713 You can also see the types of predator guards some of the folks used on this sample of nestbox locations and also the heights of the nestboxes above the ground. We have been talking about preparing the nestboxes for winter and there is a good shot of Elsie's box that uses a small strip of wood to pivot up and close up the ventilation holes on this one nestbox. Elsie started bluebirding in the mid 1970's before the North American Bluebird Society formed. There was a wide spread movement in the 1920's after World War I and then again in the 1940's after World War II to put up nestboxes for birds but especially bluebirds. This effort dwindled away by the 1960's and there became a scattered resurgence of bluebirding in the late 1960's early 1970's mostly started by individuals. W.G. Duncan and Dr. Larry Zeleny wrote the monthly bluebird column in "THE PURPLE MARTIN NEWS" now called THE NATURE SOCIETY NEWS. Elsie also wrote a bluebird article back in the 1970's a couple of times a year for this paper. Most of the active bluebirders in the 1970's shared information on "their" bluebirds via this publication. I grew up reading about these experts!!! W.G Duncan was a doctor and a couple of times a year he had his secretary copy a couple of pages of letters that he had received that he considered really good bluebird information and at the height of his personal effort he would mail out upwards of 1,800 letters in the early 1970's to folks who had contacted him over the years. Back in those days you sent a question via a letter to the news and in a month or so you got an answer from Larry or you read about a similar problem or a short article from someone on how they were solving problems with their bluebirds. Some of the stuff was good from backyard bluebirders and some were myths:-)) The Nature Society News still publishes a monthly paper and Steve Garr, past president of NABS continues to write the monthly column on bluebirds. Today I am amazed when someone posts a question to the list and then gets a dozen good answers within a couple of hours. I often had to wait a month for bluebird help:-)) Back in the late 1970's when the North American Bluebird Society first formed there were probably about 250 really good bluebirders that were or had been monitoring nestboxes for multiple years and sharing what they had learned with others in their regions. Today you can find really good bluebirders all across North America. It is a shame we cannot join electronically with any of the Mexicans who might be putting up nestboxes just south of our border. We tend to forget that bluebirds nest well down into Mexico and many more migrate over the border during the winter months. It just seems that somewhere down there in that vast country that there are bound to be a couple of active bluebirders.....KK *********************** To stop receiving messages from this list, send an e-mail message bluebird-L-request AT cornell.edu The body of the message is simply leave More info on leaving e-lists: http://www.cit.cornell.edu/computer/elist/lyris/leave-more.html Subject: RE: Owl Talk From: "Dottie" <yumyumkatts AT voyager.net> Date: Tue, 3 Nov 2009 12:15:55 -0500 Loved it! 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-4522878-3587711 AT list.cornell.edu [mailto:bounce-4522878-3587711 AT list.cornell.edu] On Behalf Of Judith Mangiero Sent: Monday, November 02, 2009 6:40 PM To: Bob Walshaw Cc: BLUEBIRD-L Subject: Re: Owl Talk Beautiful, Bob. It reminds me of Robert Frost's poetry. Judith Cranbury, NJ Sent from my iPhone On Nov 2, 2009, at 6:37 PM, "Bob Walshaw" wrote: > I walk in the moonlight > On a quiet night, > And watch the Owls > In their hushed flight. > > As they talk to each other > They seem to say > "Over here! Over here! > Come this way!" > > I try to join > But there's no reply. > A poor imitation > Not nature's cry. > > So I stop calling > And listen again > And walk on in the moonlight > As it fills the glen. > > By Bob Walshaw, NE OK > *********************** > To stop receiving messages from this list, send an e-mail message > bluebird-L-request AT cornell.edu > The body of the message is simply > leave > > More info on leaving e-lists: http://www.cit.cornell.edu/computer/elist/lyris/leave-more.html > *********************** To stop receiving messages from this list, send an e-mail message bluebird-L-request AT cornell.edu The body of the message is simply leave More info on leaving e-lists: http://www.cit.cornell.edu/computer/elist/lyris/leave-more.html *********************** To stop receiving messages from this list, send an e-mail message bluebird-L-request AT cornell.edu The body of the message is simply leave More info on leaving e-lists: http://www.cit.cornell.edu/computer/elist/lyris/leave-more.html Subject: Re: Elsie Eltzroth, Bluebird Lady From: "Keith Kridler" <txbluebirder AT suddenlink.net> Date: Tue, 3 Nov 2009 06:30:01 -0600 Keith Kridler Mt. Pleasant, Texas Below is the direct link to the video of Elsie. It is well worth watching to see the different types of nestboxes used by the various Oregon bluebirders in this program. http://www.opb.org/programs/ofg/segments/view/1713 You can also see the types of predator guards some of the folks used on this sample of nestbox locations and also the heights of the nestboxes above the ground. We have been talking about preparing the nestboxes for winter and there is a good shot of Elsie's box that uses a small strip of wood to pivot up and close up the ventilation holes on this one nestbox. Elsie started bluebirding in the mid 1970's before the North American Bluebird Society formed. There was a wide spread movement in the 1920's after World War I and then again in the 1940's after World War II to put up nestboxes for birds but especially bluebirds. This effort dwindled away by the 1960's and there became a scattered resurgence of bluebirding in the late 1960's early 1970's mostly started by individuals. W.G. Duncan and Dr. Larry Zeleny wrote the monthly bluebird column in "THE PURPLE MARTIN NEWS" now called THE NATURE SOCIETY NEWS. Elsie also wrote a bluebird article back in the 1970's a couple of times a year for this paper. Most of the active bluebirders in the 1970's shared information on "their" bluebirds via this publication. I grew up reading about these experts!!! W.G Duncan was a doctor and a couple of times a year he had his secretary copy a couple of pages of letters that he had received that he considered really good bluebird information and at the height of his personal effort he would mail out upwards of 1,800 letters in the early 1970's to folks who had contacted him over the years. Back in those days you sent a question via a letter to the news and in a month or so you got an answer from Larry or you read about a similar problem or a short article from someone on how they were solving problems with their bluebirds. Some of the stuff was good from backyard bluebirders and some were myths:-)) The Nature Society News still publishes a monthly paper and Steve Garr, past president of NABS continues to write the monthly column on bluebirds. Today I am amazed when someone posts a question to the list and then gets a dozen good answers within a couple of hours. I often had to wait a month for bluebird help:-)) Back in the late 1970's when the North American Bluebird Society first formed there were probably about 250 really good bluebirders that were or had been monitoring nestboxes for multiple years and sharing what they had learned with others in their regions. Today you can find really good bluebirders all across North America. It is a shame we cannot join electronically with any of the Mexicans who might be putting up nestboxes just south of our border. We tend to forget that bluebirds nest well down into Mexico and many more migrate over the border during the winter months. It just seems that somewhere down there in that vast country that there are bound to be a couple of active bluebirders.....KK *********************** To stop receiving messages from this list, send an e-mail message bluebird-L-request AT cornell.edu The body of the message is simply leave More info on leaving e-lists: http://www.cit.cornell.edu/computer/elist/lyris/leave-more.html Subject: Re: Owl Talk From: <chill55 AT peoplepc.com> Date: Mon, 2 Nov 2009 21:46:21 -0500 I agree with Judith. A beautiful, moving poem - perfect for this full moon November night, and an unexpected gift, too. Thanks, Bob! Carla Hill chill55 AT peoplepc.com ----- Original Message ----- From: "Bob Walshaw" To: "BLUEBIRD-L" Sent: Monday, November 02, 2009 6:37 PM Subject: Owl Talk >I walk in the moonlight > On a quiet night, > And watch the Owls > In their hushed flight. > > As they talk to each other > They seem to say > "Over here! Over here! > Come this way!" > > I try to join > But there's no reply. > A poor imitation > Not nature's cry. > > So I stop calling > And listen again > And walk on in the moonlight > As it fills the glen. > > By Bob Walshaw, NE OK > *********************** > To stop receiving messages from this list, send an e-mail message > bluebird-L-request AT cornell.edu > The body of the message is simply > leave > > More info on leaving e-lists: > http://www.cit.cornell.edu/computer/elist/lyris/leave-more.html *********************** To stop receiving messages from this list, send an e-mail message bluebird-L-request AT cornell.edu The body of the message is simply leave More info on leaving e-lists: http://www.cit.cornell.edu/computer/elist/lyris/leave-more.html Subject: Re: Owl Talk From: Judith Mangiero <judith.mangiero AT comcast.net> Date: Mon, 2 Nov 2009 18:39:53 -0500 Beautiful, Bob. It reminds me of Robert Frost's poetry. Judith Cranbury, NJ Sent from my iPhone On Nov 2, 2009, at 6:37 PM, "Bob Walshaw" wrote: > I walk in the moonlight > On a quiet night, > And watch the Owls > In their hushed flight. > > As they talk to each other > They seem to say > "Over here! Over here! > Come this way!" > > I try to join > But there's no reply. > A poor imitation > Not nature's cry. > > So I stop calling > And listen again > And walk on in the moonlight > As it fills the glen. > > By Bob Walshaw, NE OK > *********************** > To stop receiving messages from this list, send an e-mail message > bluebird-L-request AT cornell.edu > The body of the message is simply > leave > > More info on leaving e-lists: http://www.cit.cornell.edu/computer/elist/lyris/leave-more.html > *********************** To stop receiving messages from this list, send an e-mail message bluebird-L-request AT cornell.edu The body of the message is simply leave More info on leaving e-lists: http://www.cit.cornell.edu/computer/elist/lyris/leave-more.html Subject: Owl Talk From: "Bob Walshaw" <walshaw1 AT cox.net> Date: Mon, 2 Nov 2009 17:37:01 -0600 I walk in the moonlight On a quiet night, And watch the Owls In their hushed flight. As they talk to each other They seem to say "Over here! Over here! Come this way!" I try to join But there's no reply. A poor imitation Not nature's cry. So I stop calling And listen again And walk on in the moonlight As it fills the glen. By Bob Walshaw, NE OK *********************** To stop receiving messages from this list, send an e-mail message bluebird-L-request AT cornell.edu The body of the message is simply leave More info on leaving e-lists: http://www.cit.cornell.edu/computer/elist/lyris/leave-more.html Subject: nest box surprises From: Tina Mitchell <ztsipapu AT hotmail.com> Date: Sun, 1 Nov 2009 19:14:17 -0700 Tina Mitchell Coaldale, CO where it's fall; no, it's winter; no, it's fall; no, it's winter... Hi, list folks-- The mid-week storm dropped about 2 feet of snow on us in Lakewood (suburban Denver) and I got 2 snow days off from work! I felt like a little kid again. Before this storm, Denver had registered 16.5" of precipitation through mid-October--which is the total amount of precipitation we get in an entire YEAR. (I believe people are saying that it's a moderate El Nino year, which here means warmer temps and wetter weather patterns.) Since it was a pretty wet snow (by Colorado standards), we probably added another 2" to the precip total just in the 48 hours of the upslope event. We got back to here Coaldale yesterday, where about 18" had fallen. Today, I had a unique experience--I was snowshoeing around our footpaths in a t-shirt and shorts. It was a delicious 60 degrees today, so the snows on the south-facing slopes of our property, where the sun hits them, are melting with a vengeance. However, many of our footpaths are in narrow valleys between ridges or on north-facing slopes. So snows there don't melt very quickly at all. If I want to walk them, I have to tamp them down with the snowshoes first and break out the Yaktrax after that, since the compacted snow gets slipperier before it melts. But this is not Weatherlist--back to nest boxes. This fall, during the end-of-season nest box cleanings, I came upon 2 different surprises: the first evidence I've seen of a winter-roosting avian species and a pair of pinyon mice! I knew we had deer mice, but I've never seen (or at least identified) a pinyon mouse before (although our pinyon/juniper habitat is perfect for them). You can see photos of each here. Tina http://sipapu.wordpress.com/ (information about central Colorado's pinyon/juniper habitat) http://galapagos2009.wordpress.com/ (a "blog in progress" about our 2009 trip to Ecuador and the Galapagos Islands) _________________________________________________________________ Hotmail: Trusted email with Microsoft's powerful SPAM protection. http://clk.atdmt.com/GBL/go/177141664/direct/01/ http://clk.atdmt.com/GBL/go/177141664/direct/01/ *********************** To stop receiving messages from this list, send an e-mail message bluebird-L-request AT cornell.edu The body of the message is simply leave More info on leaving e-lists: http://www.cit.cornell.edu/computer/elist/lyris/leave-more.html Subject: Elsie Eltzroth, Bluebird Lady From: Wick Ann <jwick AT tds.net> Date: Sat, 31 Oct 2009 23:19:48 -0500 I know Elsie would never post this link, but I thought all of you might enjoy reading about her and watching the video about her. (Click on the link at the end of the article where it says "Watch her story here online.") I am proud to call Elsie my friend. Well done, Elsie Eltzroth of Oregon!!! Ann Wick Black Earth, WI http://blogs.opb.org/fieldjournal/2009/10/15/bluebirds-in-her-pockets/ *********************** To stop receiving messages from this list, send an e-mail message bluebird-L-request AT cornell.edu The body of the message is simply leave More info on leaving e-lists: http://www.cit.cornell.edu/computer/elist/lyris/leave-more.html Subject: Re: Hard to tell them apart From: WoolwineHouse AT aol.com Date: Sat, 31 Oct 2009 12:09:30 EDT Dave, thanks for posting these links to these photographs. These pictures are particularly interesting. I'm very fond of the female landing picture. Thanks for sharing your photography, always such a treat to see such quality photos of our lovely bluebirds! I have not seen any groups of bluebirds on our grounds by the house (yet), and I keep looking for them. I'm surprised since we have poison ivy on the edge of the woods surrounding the house and two large dogwood trees on the landscaped lawns. I keep looking for them but so far nothing sighted yet. Since my boxes are winterized now for roosters, I'm checking the trail out again next week to see if there are any droppings in them from bluebirds. I know one box has bluebirds using the box overnight. Christine Woolwine House Bluebird Trail in Woolwine (Southwest VA) In a message dated 10/30/2009 4:27:05 P.M. Eastern Daylight Time, rockinear AT aol.com writes: I have 10 bluebirds that come to the yard every day. The two adults plus the eight youngsters from this year's third and fourth nestings. All of them have their adult colors now and it is very hard to tell who is who by just looking at them. But both Mom and Pop obviously remember and frequently remind the kids about the pecking order. Here is a brief sequence from a few minutes ago where Mom decides she wants to land where Junior is perched. Dave Kinneer Fredericksburg, VA _http://secondcousindave.smugmug.com/photos/697586334_DaPhR-X2.jpg_ (http://secondcousindave.smugmug.com/photos/697586334_DaPhR-X2.jpg) _http://secondcousindave.smugmug.com/photos/697586450_gKk5N-X2.jpg_ (http://secondcousindave.smugmug.com/photos/697586450_gKk5N-X2.jpg) _http://secondcousindave.smugmug.com/photos/697586568_5MMbb-X2.jpg_ (http://secondcousindave.smugmug.com/photos/697586568_5MMbb-X2.jpg) _http://secondcousindave.smugmug.com/photos/697586694_ATwTm-X2.jpg_ (http://secondcousindave.smugmug.com/photos/697586694_ATwTm-X2.jpg) *********************** To stop receiving messages from this list, send an e-mail message bluebird-L-request AT cornell.edu The body of the message is simply leave More info on leaving e-lists: http://www.cit.cornell.edu/computer/elist/lyris/leave-more.html Subject: Bluebird vs Mourning Dove From: "Judith Mangireo" <judith.mangiero AT comcast.net> Date: Sat, 31 Oct 2009 10:24:56 -0400 Well, the Bluebirds are back, as I said. They fly into the yard (back and front), aggressively and quickly, to eat their worms and then just as quickly fly away. Maybe seven of them total -- it's difficult to count them, since they're pretty active. But I've been wondering too why I haven't seen the male chipping sparrow or mourning doves lately. This morning I may have discovered the reason. I saw one of the Bluebirds chase two mourning doves up to the roof across the street and he wouldn't stop harrassing them until they flew away. I guess my yard is now officially Bluebird territory again, and they won't share it with anyone else. Judith Cranbury, NJ *********************** To stop receiving messages from this list, send an e-mail message bluebird-L-request AT cornell.edu The body of the message is simply leave More info on leaving e-lists: http://www.cit.cornell.edu/computer/elist/lyris/leave-more.html Subject: Off topic - Birds used as fuel! From: "Bob Walshaw" <walshaw1 AT cox.net> Date: Fri, 30 Oct 2009 15:24:42 -0500 Young Oilbirds, neotropical relatives of Nightjars eat only palm fruits. However these are so high in lipids that the young grow so oily that the natives harvest them for fuel. They will literally burn like a candle! (Home study Course in Bird Biology, Cornell Lab of Ornithology). Bob Walshaw, NE OK. *********************** To stop receiving messages from this list, send an e-mail message bluebird-L-request AT cornell.edu The body of the message is simply leave More info on leaving e-lists: http://www.cit.cornell.edu/computer/elist/lyris/leave-more.html Subject: Hard to tell them apart From: rockinear AT aol.com Date: Fri, 30 Oct 2009 16:26:26 -0400 I have 10 bluebirds that come to the yard every day. The two adults plus the eight youngsters from this year's third and fourth nestings. All of them have their adult colors now and it is very hard to tell who is who by just looking at them. But both Mom and Pop obviously remember and frequently remind the kids about the pecking order. Here is a brief sequence from a few minutes ago where Mom decides she wants to land where Junior is perched. Dave Kinneer Fredericksburg, VA http://secondcousindave.smugmug.com/photos/697586334_DaPhR-X2.jpg http://secondcousindave.smugmug.com/photos/697586450_gKk5N-X2.jpg http://secondcousindave.smugmug.com/photos/697586568_5MMbb-X2.jpg http://secondcousindave.smugmug.com/photos/697586694_ATwTm-X2.jpg *********************** To stop receiving messages from this list, send an e-mail message bluebird-L-request AT cornell.edu The body of the message is simply leave More info on leaving e-lists: http://www.cit.cornell.edu/computer/elist/lyris/leave-more.html Subject: RE: Controlling access to large nest boxes From: "Bet Zimmerman" <ezdz AT charter.net> Date: Fri, 30 Oct 2009 08:22:28 -0400 Thanks for sharing this - the webpage says he uses a pole mounted camera to check the box before closing it - do you know what kind of camera? Bet From: geochelone AT aol.com [mailto:geochelone AT aol.com] Sent: Thursday, October 29, 2009 9:34 PM Subject: Controlling access to large nest boxes Hi all, One of our long-time monitors has come up with an idea to prevent squirrels from taking over larger nest boxes. The link takes you to a video that gives a brief demonstration of his device. If anyone is interested in the plans, I can ask Lee to post them on the same page. Mike on a trail in Milpitas -----Original Message----- From: Lee Pauser To: Mike Azevedo Sent: Thu, Oct 29, 2009 4:57 pm Subject: Controlling access to large nest boxes Mike, I've added some information about my new access control device to our web site. http://www.birdsfly.info/Bluebird_Trail/Controlling_access_to_large_nest_box es/index.htm Lee -- Using yesterday's software to create tomorrow's problems today *********************** To stop receiving messages from this list, send an e-mail message bluebird-L-request AT cornell.edu The body of the message is simply leave More info on leaving e-lists: http://www.cit.cornell.edu/computer/elist/lyris/leave-more.html Subject: Controlling access to large nest boxes From: geochelone AT aol.com Date: Thu, 29 Oct 2009 21:34:08 -0400 Hi all, One of our long-time monitors has come up with an idea to prevent squirrels from taking over larger nest boxes. The link takes you to a video that gives a brief demonstration of his device. If anyone is interested in the plans, I can ask Lee to post them on the same page. Mike on a trail in Milpitas -----Original Message----- From: Lee Pauser To: Mike Azevedo Sent: Thu, Oct 29, 2009 4:57 pm Subject: Controlling access to large nest boxes Mike, I've added some information about my new access control device to our web site. http://www.birdsfly.info/Bluebird_Trail/Controlling_access_to_large_nest_boxes/index.htm Lee -- Using yesterday's software to create tomorrow's problems today = *********************** To stop receiving messages from this list, send an e-mail message bluebird-L-request AT cornell.edu The body of the message is simply leave More info on leaving e-lists: http://www.cit.cornell.edu/computer/elist/lyris/leave-more.html Subject: First junco SE MI From: "Steve and Cindy Groene" <hausgroene AT comcast.net> Date: Thu, 29 Oct 2009 15:54:36 -0400 The first junco arrived this morning! Cindy Groene SE MI *********************** To stop receiving messages from this list, send an e-mail message bluebird-L-request AT cornell.edu The body of the message is simply leave More info on leaving e-lists: http://www.cit.cornell.edu/computer/elist/lyris/leave-more.html Subject: Re: Bluebirds have returned From: Judith Mangiero <judith.mangiero AT comcast.net> Date: Thu, 29 Oct 2009 14:58:57 -0400 That's why I shared the story Candace. I've been worried too. But, as others have observed, the Bluebird's absence during the late summer/early fall is not that unusual. At least we'll know what to expect next year. We just came out of a rainy spell with temps in the 50s. Saturday it will be sunny and 70. Maybe they'll disappear for awhile again. Judith Cranbury, NJ Sent from my iPhone On Oct 29, 2009, at 2:20 PM, Candace Bickel wrote: > I'm so glad to hear that Bluebirds are back to feeders(Judith)..I > would be very worried if I didn't have folks on the List to share > their stories and where the BB's are right now. Our yard is very > quiet, with only the occasional bird or two. A female showed up > yesterday evening to take a few mealies(I raise them).Then left the > rest. She was the first one since last Thursday, when the male and > female flew in with a couple of adolescents..also in the pack were a > couple of chickadees, and the finch buddy of the male Bluebird. They > took the mealies and flew off in a rush. > We are still experiencing mild weather on the boarder of North/South > Carolina. The leaves are beginning to fall quite heavily,but we have > so many hardwoods mixed in with pines, it won't be complete until > the first of December or so. > Candace/Lake Wylie SC > > From: Judith Mangireo > To: Bluebird-L > Sent: Thu, October 29, 2009 5:10:01 AM > Subject: Bluebirds have returned > > After what seemed like a long absence from my yard (August - > October) with only a few sightings in between, the Bluebirds are > back at the feeders. I saw them first over the weekend. I can only > feed them once in the morning, since when I get home from work it is > dark out, but they are licking the plates clean of mealworms, > waxworms, and even dry-roasted mealworms (a sign that they're really > hungry). Hopefully this weekend I'll get a count of them so I'll > know how many I'm dealing with. I'll be insulating the nesting > boxes this weekend also, although I have yet to see a winter when > they've used them. Central Jersey has had some pretty mild winters > over the past two years, not even much snow. > > Judith > Cranbury, NJ > *********************** To stop receiving messages from this list, send an e-mail message bluebird-L-request AT cornell.edu The body of the message is simply leave More info on leaving e-lists: http://www.cit.cornell.edu/computer/elist/lyris/leave-more.html Subject: first junco Jeannette, PA From: "Joanne McIlhattan" <ejmci AT comcast.net> Date: Thu, 29 Oct 2009 14:53:56 -0400 Finally I am seeing one lonely junco for 2 days. Joanne Jeannette, PA *********************** To stop receiving messages from this list, send an e-mail message bluebird-L-request AT cornell.edu The body of the message is simply leave More info on leaving e-lists: http://www.cit.cornell.edu/computer/elist/lyris/leave-more.html Subject: RE: roosting birds From: "Dottie" <yumyumkatts AT voyager.net> Date: Thu, 29 Oct 2009 14:17:20 -0400 Great to have you back on the List, John! Yes, you have been gone too long a time. You have been missed! Dottie, Hickory Hollow   Brown County, Indiana      (50 miles south of Indianapolis) Lat: 39.371N  Lon: 86.261W  Zone 5  Elevation:  680 ft *********************** To stop receiving messages from this list, send an e-mail message bluebird-L-request AT cornell.edu The body of the message is simply leave More info on leaving e-lists: http://www.cit.cornell.edu/computer/elist/lyris/leave-more.html Subject: Re: Bluebirds have returned From: Candace Bickel <candacebickel AT yahoo.com> Date: Thu, 29 Oct 2009 11:20:41 -0700 (PDT) I'm so glad to hear that Bluebirds are back to feeders(Judith)..I would be very worried if I didn't have folks on the List to share their stories and where the BB's are right now.  Our yard is very quiet, with only the occasional bird or two. A female showed up yesterday evening to take a few mealies(I raise them).Then left the rest. She was the first one since last Thursday, when the male and female flew in with a couple of adolescents..also in the pack were a couple of chickadees, and the finch buddy of the male Bluebird. They took the mealies and flew off in a rush. We are still experiencing mild weather on the boarder of North/South Carolina. The leaves are beginning to fall quite heavily,but we have so many hardwoods mixed in with pines, it won't be complete until the first of December or so. Candace/Lake Wylie SC ________________________________ From: Judith Mangireo To: Bluebird-L Sent: Thu, October 29, 2009 5:10:01 AM Subject: Bluebirds have returned After what seemed like a long absence from my yard (August - October) with only a few sightings in between, the Bluebirds are back at the feeders.  I saw them first over the weekend.  I can only feed them once in the morning, since when I get home from work it is dark out, but they are licking the plates clean of mealworms, waxworms, and even dry-roasted mealworms (a sign that they're really hungry).  Hopefully this weekend I'll get a count of them so I'll know how many I'm dealing with.  I'll be insulating the nesting boxes this weekend also, although I have yet to see a winter when they've used them.  Central Jersey has had some pretty mild winters over the past two years, not even much snow.    Judith Cranbury, NJ *********************** To stop receiving messages from this list, send an e-mail message bluebird-L-request AT cornell.edu The body of the message is simply leave More info on leaving e-lists: http://www.cit.cornell.edu/computer/elist/lyris/leave-more.html Subject: Bluebirds have returned From: "Judith Mangireo" <judith.mangiero AT comcast.net> Date: Thu, 29 Oct 2009 05:10:01 -0400 After what seemed like a long absence from my yard (August - October) with only a few sightings in between, the Bluebirds are back at the feeders. I saw them first over the weekend. I can only feed them once in the morning, since when I get home from work it is dark out, but they are licking the plates clean of mealworms, waxworms, and even dry-roasted mealworms (a sign that they're really hungry). Hopefully this weekend I'll get a count of them so I'll know how many I'm dealing with. I'll be insulating the nesting boxes this weekend also, although I have yet to see a winter when they've used them. Central Jersey has had some pretty mild winters over the past two years, not even much snow. Judith Cranbury, NJ *********************** To stop receiving messages from this list, send an e-mail message bluebird-L-request AT cornell.edu The body of the message is simply leave More info on leaving e-lists: http://www.cit.cornell.edu/computer/elist/lyris/leave-more.html Subject: Re: woodpeckers & entrance holes From: "Bob Walshaw" <walshaw1 AT cox.net> Date: Wed, 28 Oct 2009 22:47:55 -0500 In my Bluebird talks I tell people to take a sharp nail and make deep horizontal scratches for a couple of inches on the outside of the entrance hole to help birds hang onto the front of the box when they are reaching into the box to feed their young. This would help the Downies (and I have them in several places on my trail). My boxes are made of both rough cedar and pine, and are fairly rough inside. Bob Walshaw, NE OK. ----- Original Message ----- From: "Keith Kridler" To: "BLUEBIRD-L" Sent: Wednesday, October 28, 2009 7:25 AM Subject: woodpeckers & entrance holes Keith Kridler Mt. Pleasant, Texas Even though a Downy Woodpecker can easily enter a drilled 1&1/2" round entrance hole for bluebirds they normally will "round over" the sharp edges of the entrance hole inside and out cutting off the sharp 90* edge most of us leave when we use a drill to create an entrance hole in a nestbox. Again "normally" most of us put up nestboxes that are made from lumber run through a wood planner that creates a slick wood finish so that these boards when painted for house trim will have a very slick and smooth paint finish that helps to repel dirt and mold. Bluebirds and most of the secondary cavity nesters have evolved with three toes of different lengths on the front of each foot that can grasp just the lip of a smooth fronted nestbox. In the wild, natural cavities are very rough fronted making this an easy task. Woodpeckers (most of them) on the other hand only have TWO toes that can grasp the bottom lip or rim of the entrance holes on nestboxes. The other two toes need to be able to grasp rough bark or deep grooves cut into the faces of the nestboxes well below the rim under the entrance holes. "Normally" woodpeckers will/can/might sleep inside natural cavities by hanging onto the rough walls of the insides of cavities. Again "most" nestboxes have walls made from "slick" sided lumber making it difficult for say Downy Woodpeckers to hang on the insides of the boxes since their toe nails have nothing to hold onto. To make it easier to land on the fronts of our slick sided nestboxes you will see that woodpeckers choose to hammer into the wood around the entrance holes, especially underneath the hole, making a rough surface for better gripping. We humans do the same thing with regards to the floor areas of our showers, tubs and flooring around wet areas and entrance doors in commercial buildings. In effect the woodpeckers are just creating a "non-slip" surface area. Don't forget wild birds will also lose toes or on occasion will have a broken toe or even a broken leg and they can be born with birth defects where they have no claws or toe nails! Sometimes the claws will grow uncontrollably and will be curled and worthless for grasping or scratching for food. Look at the feet of caged birds like parakeets as they have horribly long toe nails as they get older! Anyway installing wood cleats or fastening a small piece of tree branch flat to the area under the entrance holes will make it easier for the birds to enter and exit these roosting boxes. The reason most woodpeckers create chips in the bottoms of manmade nestboxes is because they are trying to make the nestbox deeper by hammering out the bottom OR they are hammering on the insides of the boxes to create toe holds. Depending on the cold winds blowing in the entrance hole the birds "might" hammer out one side of the box during one cold front only to have winds shift and they might need to hammer out toe holds on a different side when the weather changes...Remember that birds are "stuck" wearing their winter coat in all types of weather. Pile on the blankets on your bed this month. Sleep with the heat or AC off and the windows open and you CANNOT kick off ANY covers during the night and you can get an idea of why these birds might sleep inside a nestbox with the vents sealed up this week if it is cold, but choose to sleep outside on a limb next week during a warm spell..... It is 49*F this morning, winds out of the East at 0<6 MPH with a gust of 7MPH in the last half hour. The first Ruby Throated Hummingbird came to the feeder 24 minutes BEFORE official sunrise for my house and drank or sat on the feeder for just over 4 minutes before flying off. KK *********************** To stop receiving messages from this list, send an e-mail message bluebird-L-request AT cornell.edu The body of the message is simply leave More info on leaving e-lists: http://www.cit.cornell.edu/computer/elist/lyris/leave-more.html *********************** To stop receiving messages from this list, send an e-mail message bluebird-L-request AT cornell.edu The body of the message is simply leave More info on leaving e-lists: http://www.cit.cornell.edu/computer/elist/lyris/leave-more.html Subject: Re: roosting birds From: KCBSP AT aol.com Date: Wed, 28 Oct 2009 22:08:26 EDT Welcome back John!! KC In a message dated 10/28/2009 1:47:43 P.M. Eastern Daylight Time, wildwing AT sonic.net writes: Greeting to all, Over the past couple of days, I've noticed our Western Bluebirds are starting to winter roost in their nesting boxes, plus I've been noticed Cedar Waxwings moving south too. Been gone from Bluebird L for a time, and it's nice to be back. Cheers and as always... Happy Bluebird Trails To You, John Schuster, Owner / Operator Wild Wing Company 1179 Debbie Hill Road Cotati, CA 94931-9604, USA PH: (707) 795-4440 MOBILE: (707) 327-8505 E-MAIL: _john AT wildwingco.com_ (mailto:john AT wildwingco.com) WEB: _http://www.wildwingco.com/_ (http://www.wildwingco.com/) "Success is not Final, Failure is not Fatal, it is the Courage to Continue that Counts" - Sir Winston Churchill "When going through Hell, keep going." - Sir Winston Churchill "The person who moves mountains begins by carrying away small stones." - William Faulkner "Enthusiasm finds the opportunities, and energy makes the most of them." - Henry S. Haskins "We will find a way or we will make a way." - Hannibal "Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizen’s can change the world. Indeed, it’s the only thing that ever has." - Margaret Mead "Be kind, for everyone you meet is fighting a hard battle." - Philo. On Oct 28, 2009, at 5:04 AM, Dottie wrote: Juncos (snowbirds) come to my feeder tray. Still waiting on the first one to arrive. 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-4498068-3587711 AT list.cornell.edu_ (mailto:bounce-4498068-3587711 AT list.cornell.edu) [_mailto:bounce-4498068-3587711 AT list.cornell.edu_ (mailto:bounce-4498068-3587711 AT list.cornell.edu) ] On Behalf Of Bob Walshaw Sent: Tuesday, October 27, 2009 9:39 PM To: _pamsfe AT aol.com_ (mailto:pamsfe AT aol.com) ; _jrkitting AT yahoo.com_ (mailto:jrkitting AT yahoo.com) ; _lemerich AT epix.net_ (mailto:lemerich AT epix.net) Cc: _Bluebird-L AT cornell.edu_ (mailto:Bluebird-L AT cornell.edu) Subject: Re: roosting birds It is interesting how different the same birds are in different areas. I have always had a lot of Juncos but I have never seen them eat anywhere but on the ground. Bob Walshaw, NE OK. ----- Original Message ----- From: _pamsfe AT aol.com_ (mailto:pamsfe AT aol.com) To: _jrkitting AT yahoo.com_ (mailto:jrkitting AT yahoo.com) ; _lemerich AT epix.net_ (mailto:lemerich AT epix.net) Cc: _Bluebird-L AT cornell.edu_ (mailto:Bluebird-L AT cornell.edu) Sent: Tuesday, October 27, 2009 6:37 PM Subject: Re: roosting birds Last year I put some grass clippings in my boxes in November just before a very cold spell and also put duct tape around the vents, but it never seemed like any birds used the boxes. This year I do see poop in one box that was used first by a pair of titmice and second by a pair of western bluebirds. I haven't winterized any boxes, but maybe I should. I wonder if I should put the hole reducer back on the box the titmice used to reserve it for them or just let it be. Today I saw a williamson sapsucker female. I have had juncos around since mid september. Today I saw one eating thistle from a hanging thistle feeder. I also see them go to the suet feeders hanging from the trees. Pam (NM) -----Original Message----- From: Jason Kitting <_jrkitting AT yahoo.com_ (mailto:jrkitting AT yahoo.com) > To: Lynn <_lemerich AT epix.net_ (mailto:lemerich AT epix.net) > Cc: Bluebird-L <_Bluebird-L AT cornell.edu_ (mailto:Bluebird-L AT cornell.edu) > Sent: Tue, Oct 27, 2009 1:45 pm Subject: Re: Woodpecker I had a downy use a box of mine last year and I heard that they like wood chips so I put some in there. The woodpecker made a bowl shape in the chips and spent all winter roosting in the box. To make sure it was there without disturbing the bird, I would put a little more wood chips in his bowl to flatten it and if there was another bowl the next day, I knew he had used the box. That way I could check if the box was being used when the bird was out for the day. I hope this helped. Jason Tijeras, NM *********************** To stop receiving messages from this list, send an e-mail message _bluebird-L-request AT cornell.edu_ (mailto:bluebird-L-request AT cornell.edu) The body of the message is simply leave More info on leaving e-lists: http://www.cit.cornell.edu/computer/elist/lyris/leave-more.html *********************** To stop receiving messages from this list, send an e-mail message bluebird-L-request AT cornell.edu The body of the message is simply leave More info on leaving e-lists: http://www.cit.cornell.edu/computer/elist/lyris/leave-more.html Subject: Re: roosting birds From: John Schuster <wildwing AT sonic.net> Date: Wed, 28 Oct 2009 10:46:32 -0700 Greeting to all, Over the past couple of days, I've noticed our Western Bluebirds are starting to winter roost in their nesting boxes, plus I've been noticed Cedar Waxwings moving south too. Been gone from Bluebird L for a time, and it's nice to be back. Cheers and as always... Happy Bluebird Trails To You, John Schuster, Owner / Operator Wild Wing Company 1179 Debbie Hill Road Cotati, CA 94931-9604, USA PH: (707) 795-4440 MOBILE: (707) 327-8505 E-MAIL: john AT wildwingco.com WEB: http://www.wildwingco.com/ "Success is not Final, Failure is not Fatal, it is the Courage to Continue that Counts" - Sir Winston Churchill "When going through Hell, keep going." - Sir Winston Churchill "The person who moves mountains begins by carrying away small stones." - William Faulkner "Enthusiasm finds the opportunities, and energy makes the most of them." - Henry S. Haskins "We will find a way or we will make a way." - Hannibal "Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizen’s can change the world. Indeed, it’s the only thing that ever has." - Margaret Mead "Be kind, for everyone you meet is fighting a hard battle." - Philo. On Oct 28, 2009, at 5:04 AM, Dottie wrote: > Juncos (snowbirds) come to my feeder tray. Still waiting on the > first one > to arrive. > > 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-4498068-3587711 AT list.cornell.edu > [mailto:bounce-4498068-3587711 AT list.cornell.edu] On Behalf Of Bob > Walshaw > Sent: Tuesday, October 27, 2009 9:39 PM > To: pamsfe AT aol.com; jrkitting AT yahoo.com; lemerich AT epix.net > Cc: Bluebird-L AT cornell.edu > Subject: Re: roosting birds > > It is interesting how different the same birds are in different > areas. I > have always had a lot of Juncos but I have never seen them eat > anywhere but > on the ground. Bob Walshaw, NE OK. > ----- Original Message ----- > From: pamsfe AT aol.com > To: jrkitting AT yahoo.com ; lemerich AT epix.net > Cc: Bluebird-L AT cornell.edu > Sent: Tuesday, October 27, 2009 6:37 PM > Subject: Re: roosting birds > > Last year I put some grass clippings in my boxes in November just > before a > very cold spell and also put duct tape around the vents, but it > never seemed > like any birds used the boxes. This year I do see poop in one box > that was > used first by a pair of titmice and second by a pair of western > bluebirds. I > haven't winterized any boxes, but maybe I should. I wonder if I > should put > the hole reducer back on the box the titmice used to reserve it for > them or > just let it be. Today I saw a williamson sapsucker female. I have > had juncos > around since mid september. Today I saw one eating thistle from a > hanging > thistle feeder. I also see them go to the suet feeders hanging from > the > trees. > > Pam (NM) > > > -----Original Message----- > From: Jason Kitting > To: Lynn > Cc: Bluebird-L > Sent: Tue, Oct 27, 2009 1:45 pm > Subject: Re: Woodpecker > I had a downy use a box of mine last year and I heard that they like > wood > chips > > so I put some in there. The woodpecker made a bowl shape in the > chips and > spent > > all winter roosting in the box. To make sure it was there without > disturbing > > the bird, I would put a little more wood chips in his bowl to > flatten it and > if > > there was another bowl the next day, I knew he had used the box. > That way I > > > could check if the box was being used when the bird was out for the > day. I > hope > > this helped. > > > > Jason > > Tijeras, NM > > > > > > > > *********************** > To stop receiving messages from this list, send an e-mail message > bluebird-L-request AT cornell.edu > The body of the message is simply > leave > > More info on leaving e-lists: http://www.cit.cornell.edu/computer/elist/lyris/leave-more.html > *********************** To stop receiving messages from this list, send an e-mail message bluebird-L-request AT cornell.edu The body of the message is simply leave More info on leaving e-lists: http://www.cit.cornell.edu/computer/elist/lyris/leave-more.html Subject: RE: roosting birds From: "Dottie" <yumyumkatts AT voyager.net> Date: Wed, 28 Oct 2009 08:04:45 -0400 Juncos (snowbirds) come to my feeder tray. Still waiting on the first one to arrive. 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-4498068-3587711 AT list.cornell.edu [mailto:bounce-4498068-3587711 AT list.cornell.edu] On Behalf Of Bob Walshaw Sent: Tuesday, October 27, 2009 9:39 PM To: pamsfe AT aol.com; jrkitting AT yahoo.com; lemerich AT epix.net Cc: Bluebird-L AT cornell.edu Subject: Re: roosting birds It is interesting how different the same birds are in different areas. I have always had a lot of Juncos but I have never seen them eat anywhere but on the ground. Bob Walshaw, NE OK. ----- Original Message ----- From: pamsfe AT aol.com To: jrkitting AT yahoo.com ; lemerich AT epix.net Cc: Bluebird-L AT cornell.edu Sent: Tuesday, October 27, 2009 6:37 PM Subject: Re: roosting birds Last year I put some grass clippings in my boxes in November just before a very cold spell and also put duct tape around the vents, but it never seemed like any birds used the boxes.  This year I do see poop in one box that was used first by a pair of titmice and second by a pair of western bluebirds. I haven't winterized any boxes, but maybe I should. I wonder if I should put the hole reducer back on the box the titmice used to reserve it for them or just let it be. Today I saw a williamson sapsucker female. I have had juncos around since mid september. Today I saw one eating thistle from a hanging thistle feeder. I also see them go to the suet feeders hanging from the trees. Pam (NM) -----Original Message----- From: Jason Kitting To: Lynn Cc: Bluebird-L Sent: Tue, Oct 27, 2009 1:45 pm Subject: Re: Woodpecker I had a downy use a box of mine last year and I heard that they like wood chips so I put some in there. The woodpecker made a bowl shape in the chips and spent all winter roosting in the box. To make sure it was there without disturbing the bird, I would put a little more wood chips in his bowl to flatten it and if there was another bowl the next day, I knew he had used the box. That way I could check if the box was being used when the bird was out for the day. I hope this helped. Jason Tijeras, NM *********************** To stop receiving messages from this list, send an e-mail message bluebird-L-request AT cornell.edu The body of the message is simply leave More info on leaving e-lists: http://www.cit.cornell.edu/computer/elist/lyris/leave-more.html Subject: woodpeckers & entrance holes From: "Keith Kridler" <txbluebirder AT suddenlink.net> Date: Wed, 28 Oct 2009 07:25:26 -0500 Keith Kridler Mt. Pleasant, Texas Even though a Downy Woodpecker can easily enter a drilled 1&1/2" round entrance hole for bluebirds they normally will "round over" the sharp edges of the entrance hole inside and out cutting off the sharp 90* edge most of us leave when we use a drill to create an entrance hole in a nestbox. Again "normally" most of us put up nestboxes that are made from lumber run through a wood planner that creates a slick wood finish so that these boards when painted for house trim will have a very slick and smooth paint finish that helps to repel dirt and mold. Bluebirds and most of the secondary cavity nesters have evolved with three toes of different lengths on the front of each foot that can grasp just the lip of a smooth fronted nestbox. In the wild, natural cavities are very rough fronted making this an easy task. Woodpeckers (most of them) on the other hand only have TWO toes that can grasp the bottom lip or rim of the entrance holes on nestboxes. The other two toes need to be able to grasp rough bark or deep grooves cut into the faces of the nestboxes well below the rim under the entrance holes. "Normally" woodpeckers will/can/might sleep inside natural cavities by hanging onto the rough walls of the insides of cavities. Again "most" nestboxes have walls made from "slick" sided lumber making it difficult for say Downy Woodpeckers to hang on the insides of the boxes since their toe nails have nothing to hold onto. To make it easier to land on the fronts of our slick sided nestboxes you will see that woodpeckers choose to hammer into the wood around the entrance holes, especially underneath the hole, making a rough surface for better gripping. We humans do the same thing with regards to the floor areas of our showers, tubs and flooring around wet areas and entrance doors in commercial buildings. In effect the woodpeckers are just creating a "non-slip" surface area. Don't forget wild birds will also lose toes or on occasion will have a broken toe or even a broken leg and they can be born with birth defects where they have no claws or toe nails! Sometimes the claws will grow uncontrollably and will be curled and worthless for grasping or scratching for food. Look at the feet of caged birds like parakeets as they have horribly long toe nails as they get older! Anyway installing wood cleats or fastening a small piece of tree branch flat to the area under the entrance holes will make it easier for the birds to enter and exit these roosting boxes. The reason most woodpeckers create chips in the bottoms of manmade nestboxes is because they are trying to make the nestbox deeper by hammering out the bottom OR they are hammering on the insides of the boxes to create toe holds. Depending on the cold winds blowing in the entrance hole the birds "might" hammer out one side of the box during one cold front only to have winds shift and they might need to hammer out toe holds on a different side when the weather changes...Remember that birds are "stuck" wearing their winter coat in all types of weather. Pile on the blankets on your bed this month. Sleep with the heat or AC off and the windows open and you CANNOT kick off ANY covers during the night and you can get an idea of why these birds might sleep inside a nestbox with the vents sealed up this week if it is cold, but choose to sleep outside on a limb next week during a warm spell..... It is 49*F this morning, winds out of the East at 0<6 MPH with a gust of 7MPH in the last half hour. The first Ruby Throated Hummingbird came to the feeder 24 minutes BEFORE official sunrise for my house and drank or sat on the feeder for just over 4 minutes before flying off. KK *********************** To stop receiving messages from this list, send an e-mail message bluebird-L-request AT cornell.edu The body of the message is simply leave More info on leaving e-lists: http://www.cit.cornell.edu/computer/elist/lyris/leave-more.html Subject: Bluebird trail update From: "Bob Walshaw" <walshaw1 AT cox.net> Date: Tue, 27 Oct 2009 23:52:51 -0500 A beautiful early fall day again here, my favorite time of year next to spring. Earlier I had mentioned that for personal reasons I was reducing the length of my trail, and I had picked up more than 20 boxes. However I have redesigned it to where it is laid out in three walking loops and by picking up several cul-de-sacs where I did not have any boxes I am going to be able to put most of the boxes back up Most of the new boxes will be hangers and it was easy to put 10 of them up today. It is so quick and easy to do this, and after the first year my birds have taken to them as well as the boxes on posts. Bob Walshaw, NE OK. *********************** To stop receiving messages from this list, send an e-mail message bluebird-L-request AT cornell.edu The body of the message is simply leave More info on leaving e-lists: http://www.cit.cornell.edu/computer/elist/lyris/leave-more.html Subject: Re: roosting birds From: "Bob Walshaw" <walshaw1 AT cox.net> Date: Tue, 27 Oct 2009 20:38:37 -0500 It is interesting how different the same birds are in different areas. I have always had a lot of Juncos but I have never seen them eat anywhere but on the ground. Bob Walshaw, NE OK. ----- Original Message ----- From: pamsfe AT aol.com To: jrkitting AT yahoo.com ; lemerich AT epix.net Cc: Bluebird-L AT cornell.edu Sent: Tuesday, October 27, 2009 6:37 PM Subject: Re: roosting birds Last year I put some grass clippings in my boxes in November just before a very cold spell and also put duct tape around the vents, but it never seemed like any birds used the boxes. This year I do see poop in one box that was used first by a pair of titmice and second by a pair of western bluebirds. I haven't winterized any boxes, but maybe I should. I wonder if I should put the hole reducer back on the box the titmice used to reserve it for them or just let it be. Today I saw a williamson sapsucker female. I have had juncos around since mid september. Today I saw one eating thistle from a hanging thistle feeder. I also see them go to the suet feeders hanging from the trees. Pam (NM) -----Original Message----- From: Jason Kitting To: Lynn Cc: Bluebird-L Sent: Tue, Oct 27, 2009 1:45 pm Subject: Re: Woodpecker I had a downy use a box of mine last year and I heard that they like wood chips so I put some in there. The woodpecker made a bowl shape in the chips and spent all winter roosting in the box. To make sure it was there without disturbing the bird, I would put a little more wood chips in his bowl to flatten it and if there was another bowl the next day, I knew he had used the box. That way I could check if the box was being used when the bird was out for the day. I hope this helped. Jason Tijeras, NM *********************** To stop receiving messages from this list, send an e-mail message bluebird-L-request AT cornell.edu The body of the message is simply leave More info on leaving e-lists: http://www.cit.cornell.edu/computer/elist/lyris/leave-more.html Subject: Re: roosting birds clarification From: pamsfe AT aol.com Date: Tue, 27 Oct 2009 19:39:28 -0400 Oops, what I meant was that I have seen poop in the box that the titmice and western bluebirds pairs used this summer for nesting. I don't know who is going in now, but I suspect the titmice, since I see them in that area. -----Original Message----- From: pamsfe AT aol.com To: jrkitting AT yahoo.com; lemerich AT epix.net Cc: Bluebird-L AT cornell.edu Sent: Tue, Oct 27, 2009 5:37 pm Subject: Re: roosting birds Last year I put some grass clippings in my boxes in November just before a very cold spell and also put duct tape around the vents, but it never seemed like any birds used the boxes. This year I do see poop in one box that was used first by a pair of titmice and second by a pair of western bluebirds. I haven't winterized any boxes, but maybe I should. I wonder if I should put the hole reducer back on the box the titmice used to reserve it for them or just let it be. Today I saw a williamson sapsucker female. I have had juncos around since mid september. Today I saw one eating thistle from a hanging thistle feeder. I also see them go to the suet feeders hanging from the trees. Pam (NM) *********************** To stop receiving messages from this list, send an e-mail message bluebird-L-request AT cornell.edu The body of the message is simply leave More info on leaving e-lists: http://www.cit.cornell.edu/computer/elist/lyris/leave-more.html Subject: Re: roosting birds From: pamsfe AT aol.com Date: Tue, 27 Oct 2009 19:37:48 -0400 Last year I put some grass clippings in my boxes in November just before a very cold spell and also put duct tape around the vents, but it never seemed like any birds used the boxes. This year I do see poop in one box that was used first by a pair of titmice and second by a pair of western bluebirds. I haven't winterized any boxes, but maybe I should. I wonder if I should put the hole reducer back on the box the titmice used to reserve it for them or just let it be. Today I saw a williamson sapsucker female. I have had juncos around since mid september. Today I saw one eating thistle from a hanging thistle feeder. I also see them go to the suet feeders hanging from the trees. Pam (NM) -----Original Message----- From: Jason Kitting To: Lynn Cc: Bluebird-L Sent: Tue, Oct 27, 2009 1:45 pm Subject: Re: Woodpecker I had a downy use a box of mine last year and I heard that they like wood chips so I put some in there. The woodpecker made a bowl shape in the chips and spent all winter roosting in the box. To make sure it was there without disturbing the bird, I would put a little more wood chips in his bowl to flatten it and if there was another bowl the next day, I knew he had used the box. That way I could check if the box was being used when the bird was out for the day. I hope this helped. Jason Tijeras, NM *********************** To stop receiving messages from this list, send an e-mail message bluebird-L-request AT cornell.edu The body of the message is simply leave More info on leaving e-lists: http://www.cit.cornell.edu/computer/elist/lyris/leave-more.html Subject: Re: feral cats From: "Bob Walshaw" <walshaw1 AT cox.net> Date: Tue, 27 Oct 2009 18:28:33 -0500 That is scary. I know that this is a repeat comment, but I have had outstanding success for years using an automatic waste sweeping cat litter box and keeping my cat indoors. Cats live longer and are in better health when they are kept inside. Also it is not difficult to trap feral cats. Tie the door of a live trap open until the bait begins to disappear, and then set it. Bear in mind that in many areas you will also catch Opossums, Raccoons and Skunks. Bob Walshaw, NE OK. ----- Original Message ----- From: Robert Peak To: Bluebird-L listserv Sent: Tuesday, October 27, 2009 5:12 PM Subject: feral cats Audubon Magazine's Ted Williams had an insightful column (sorry for the pun) about feral cats in the most recent issue. Here's the link: http://www.audubonmagazine.org/incite/incite0909.html . I think the information speaks for itself. Respectfully submitted, Bob Peak Henderson, KY (home of John James Audubon 1810-1819) latitude 37.8421° N, longitude 87.5832 ° W high ground on the banks of the Ohio River *********************** To stop receiving messages from this list, send an e-mail message bluebird-L-request AT cornell.edu The body of the message is simply leave More info on leaving e-lists: http://www.cit.cornell.edu/computer/elist/lyris/leave-more.html Subject: Re: Woodpecker From: "Bob Walshaw" <walshaw1 AT cox.net> Date: Tue, 27 Oct 2009 18:05:56 -0500 If the nest is in good shape it would help to leave it in and then remove it when you prepare the boxes for spring. Many of mine are a mess so I remove them and put in a few grass clippings for winter insulation. Bob Walshaw, NE OK. ----- Original Message ----- From: "Brown, Andrew J." To: "Jason Kitting" ; "Lynn" Cc: "Bluebird-L" Sent: Tuesday, October 27, 2009 2:52 PM Subject: RE: Woodpecker Hi everyone, I have recently received a question from one of my trail volunteers that applies somewhat to this topic. She asked if she should leave the old nest in the box through the winter to help insulate the roosting birds if they were to choose to roost there? Has anyone read anything along the lines of leaving old nests or putting fresh material in boxes to help the birds stay warm while roosting? Andy Brown Prince Frederick, Md. -----Original Message----- From: bounce-4496838-9803145 AT list.cornell.edu [mailto:bounce-4496838-9803145 AT list.cornell.edu] On Behalf Of Jason Kitting Sent: Tuesday, October 27, 2009 3:46 PM To: Lynn Cc: Bluebird-L Subject: Re: Woodpecker I had a downy use a box of mine last year and I heard that they like wood chips so I put some in there. The woodpecker made a bowl shape in the chips and spent all winter roosting in the box. To make sure it was there without disturbing the bird, I would put a little more wood chips in his bowl to flatten it and if there was another bowl the next day, I knew he had used the box. That way I could check if the box was being used when the bird was out for the day. I hope this helped. Jason Tijeras, NM On Oct 27, 2009, at 1:19 PM, Lynn wrote: Bill, Duane, and all. I guess I should have been more clear with the question. I was wondering if I should be doing anything to encourage him to stay there. I'm not worried about him wrecking the box, as he has no proiblem getting in. Do they like or need wood chips like some of the nesting woodpeckers. I have a good supply if needed. There are several downys here, but have never found a nesting place if they have one. Lynn William Apgar wrote: Lynn, I have about 38 boxes out and I get a lot of them. I used to have one in the box at my house in the winter, but she was eliminated by a house sparrow in January of 08 :-(. They are nice birds to have in there and they appreciate the shelter in the winter. They will leave their little grey feathers and a bunch of sawdust and wood chips on the floor of the box. Once I had a trap in the box and she perched on the hinge without springing the trap and went to sleep there. *********************** To stop receiving messages from this list, send an e-mail message bluebird-L-request AT cornell.edu The body of the message is simply leave More info on leaving e-lists: http://www.cit.cornell.edu/computer/elist/lyris/leave-more.html *********************** To stop receiving messages from this list, send an e-mail message bluebird-L-request AT cornell.edu The body of the message is simply leave More info on leaving e-lists: http://www.cit.cornell.edu/computer/elist/lyris/leave-more.html *********************** To stop receiving messages from this list, send an e-mail message bluebird-L-request AT cornell.edu The body of the message is simply leave More info on leaving e-lists: http://www.cit.cornell.edu/computer/elist/lyris/leave-more.html *********************** To stop receiving messages from this list, send an e-mail message bluebird-L-request AT cornell.edu The body of the message is simply leave More info on leaving e-lists: http://www.cit.cornell.edu/computer/elist/lyris/leave-more.html Subject: Re: First Junco's arrive From: "Bob Walshaw" <walshaw1 AT cox.net> Date: Tue, 27 Oct 2009 18:09:48 -0500 That sounds like a feral cat. In the warmer sections of the country where they can survive the winter they become as efficient as Bobcats in hunting birds and small animals. The best solution is to trap it and take it to the pound. Bob Walshaw, NE OK. ----- Original Message ----- From: "linyl" To: "'Keith Kridler'" ; "'BLUEBIRD-L'" Sent: Tuesday, October 27, 2009 4:17 PM Subject: RE: First Junco's arrive Very disturbing to hear that cats are the number #1 predator of hummingbirds. I thought since they were so fast, cats would not be able to catch them. I have a nuisance cat coming around often, even though I shoot at it with the BB gun. It's mostly black, which gives it cover. One minute I see it and then it's gone in a flash. Most of the time when I shoot at a cat, it stays away, but this one is persistent. I simply just can't understand why someone would unleash their cat to prowl and kill. It's such a problem! Linda in NW GA -----Original Message----- From: bounce-4488939-9482887 AT list.cornell.edu [mailto:bounce-4488939-9482887 AT list.cornell.edu] On Behalf Of Keith Kridler Sent: Monday, October 26, 2009 8:01 AM To: BLUEBIRD-L Subject: First Junco's arrive Keith Kridler Mt. Pleasant, Texas I had the first small flock of Junco's arrive in our yard 48 hours after a 39*F morning. We have minor flooding again today as another inch of rain has fallen on saturated soils. Heavy rains are forecast for the next 36 hours. This makes 21" of rain fall since Sept. 1 and just over 60" of rain so far this year. It is amazing to me that more birds don't drown in these massive rain storms especially with all of the scattered large hail in the super cells imbedded within these fronts. Hummingbirds are still coming to feeders about 1/2 an hour before sunrise. They are dark shadows seeking a quick meal before the sun actually nudges away the night. http://www.hummingbirdsociety.org/hottopics/predators.asp The above link talks about the predators of hummingbirds and they mention/list cats as possibly being the number 1 predator. I use overgrown, thick plantings of butterfly/moth/hummingbird nectar producing plants around our property. I have noticed the local free roaming cats just LOVE to hide in these flowers and are waiting WELL before daylight in these beds. It only takes a quick flick of the paw and another loudly buzzing hummingbird becomes a broken cat toy. Hummingbirds are often buried up clear to their eye balls in petunias or Four O'Clocks and they have to enter a Brugmansia Trumpet flower all the way up inside these 8" long flowers and they are easy targets for a cat when they cannot see them hiding in the flower beds. We did have a Red Fox come through the yard Saturday so maybe there have always been quick, four legged predators of these tiny hummers. KK *********************** To stop receiving messages from this list, send an e-mail message bluebird-L-request AT cornell.edu The body of the message is simply leave More info on leaving e-lists: http://www.cit.cornell.edu/computer/elist/lyris/leave-more.html *********************** To stop receiving messages from this list, send an e-mail message bluebird-L-request AT cornell.edu The body of the message is simply leave More info on leaving e-lists: http://www.cit.cornell.edu/computer/elist/lyris/leave-more.html *********************** To stop receiving messages from this list, send an e-mail message bluebird-L-request AT cornell.edu The body of the message is simply leave More info on leaving e-lists: http://www.cit.cornell.edu/computer/elist/lyris/leave-more.html Subject: Re: feral cats From: KCBSP AT aol.com Date: Tue, 27 Oct 2009 18:31:52 EDT Right now I have a feral kitten in my house. We are trying to feed it and it's still pretty small. We are calling around but not much help out there. I think it might only be 3 or 4 weeks old. It was in the same spot for two days bawling loudly all day. We have a feral mama cat around here for years. Last year I caught one of her kittens but it was probably 3 months old and it went to the shelter to be adopted as it was so friendly. Who knows what to do for it? It has a bit of a hard time eating but it can eat. I like cats, dogs, and birds and have had all 3 in my house simultaneously. Kathy Clark New Cumberland PA In a message dated 10/27/2009 6:12:34 P.M. Eastern Daylight Time, blubrds AT bellsouth.net writes: Audubon Magazine’s Ted Williams had an insightful column (sorry for the pun) about feral cats in the most recent issue. Here’s the link: _http://www.audubonmagazine.org/incite/incite0909.html_ (http://www.audubonmagazine.org/incite/incite0909.html) . I think the information speaks for itself. Respectfully submitted, Bob Peak Henderson, KY (home of John James Audubon 1810-1819) latitude 37.8421° N, longitude 87.5832 ° W high ground on the banks of the Ohio River (mailto:blubrds AT bellsouth.net) *********************** To stop receiving messages from this list, send an e-mail message bluebird-L-request AT cornell.edu The body of the message is simply leave More info on leaving e-lists: http://www.cit.cornell.edu/computer/elist/lyris/leave-more.html Subject: Re: RE: Woodpecker From: BirderWitch AT gmail.com Date: Tue, 27 Oct 2009 22:16:52 +0000 For the past several years we have had a Downy use one of our boxes every fall and winter for roosting. I emailed the list about it at the time we first noticed it because I also thought is was unusual and wanted to do what I could to help make sure the box was warm and dry. Back then a couple recommendations where to put a small bed of clean,soft wood chips on the bottom and to cover over the ventilation holes or any other cracks that would allow cold air to enter. We did what was suggested and it has worked for us. Enjoy your fall/winter visitor :) Yes, there was some damage to the opening, but minimal and easily repaired. ps you could also check the BB-L archives - I believe there are suggestions there on how to "winterize" a nestbox for roosting birds kimmarie :) Buffalo/Varysburg, Western NY On Oct 27, 2009 3:38pm, "Brown, Andrew J." wrote: > Hi everyone, > I have recently received a question from one of my trail volunteers that > applies somewhat to this topic. She asked if she should leave the old > nest in the box through the winter to help insulate the roosting birds > if they were to choose to roost there? Has anyone read anything along > the lines of leaving old nests or putting fresh material in boxes to > help the birds stay warm while roosting? > Andy Brown > Prince Frederick, Md. *********************** To stop receiving messages from this list, send an e-mail message bluebird-L-request AT cornell.edu The body of the message is simply leave More info on leaving e-lists: http://www.cit.cornell.edu/computer/elist/lyris/leave-more.html Subject: feral cats From: "Robert Peak" <blubrds AT bellsouth.net> Date: Tue, 27 Oct 2009 17:12:00 -0500 Audubon Magazine’s Ted Williams had an insightful column (sorry for the pun) about feral cats in the most recent issue. Here’s the link: http://www.audubonmagazine.org/incite/incite0909.html . I think the information speaks for itself. Respectfully submitted, Bob Peak Henderson, KY (home of John James Audubon 1810-1819) latitude 37.8421° N, longitude 87.5832 ° W high ground on the banks of the Ohio River *********************** To stop receiving messages from this list, send an e-mail message bluebird-L-request AT cornell.edu The body of the message is simply leave More info on leaving e-lists: http://www.cit.cornell.edu/computer/elist/lyris/leave-more.html Subject: RE: First Junco's arrive From: "Dottie" <yumyumkatts AT voyager.net> Date: Tue, 27 Oct 2009 17:54:41 -0400 My little Siamese doesn't pay hummers any attention. They fly around her looking her over and she just yawns. Maybe she thinks they are just bugs. 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-4497233-3587711 AT list.cornell.edu [mailto:bounce-4497233-3587711 AT list.cornell.edu] On Behalf Of linyl Sent: Tuesday, October 27, 2009 5:17 PM To: 'Keith Kridler'; 'BLUEBIRD-L' Subject: RE: First Junco's arrive Very disturbing to hear that cats are the number #1 predator of hummingbirds. I thought since they were so fast, cats would not be able to catch them. I have a nuisance cat coming around often, even though I shoot at it with the BB gun. It's mostly black, which gives it cover. One minute I see it and then it's gone in a flash. Most of the time when I shoot at a cat, it stays away, but this one is persistent. I simply just can't understand why someone would unleash their cat to prowl and kill. It's such a problem! Linda in NW GA -----Original Message----- From: bounce-4488939-9482887 AT list.cornell.edu [mailto:bounce-4488939-9482887 AT list.cornell.edu] On Behalf Of Keith Kridler Sent: Monday, October 26, 2009 8:01 AM To: BLUEBIRD-L Subject: First Junco's arrive Keith Kridler Mt. Pleasant, Texas I had the first small flock of Junco's arrive in our yard 48 hours after a 39*F morning. We have minor flooding again today as another inch of rain has fallen on saturated soils. Heavy rains are forecast for the next 36 hours. This makes 21" of rain fall since Sept. 1 and just over 60" of rain so far this year. It is amazing to me that more birds don't drown in these massive rain storms especially with all of the scattered large hail in the super cells imbedded within these fronts. Hummingbirds are still coming to feeders about 1/2 an hour before sunrise. They are dark shadows seeking a quick meal before the sun actually nudges away the night. http://www.hummingbirdsociety.org/hottopics/predators.asp The above link talks about the predators of hummingbirds and they mention/list cats as possibly being the number 1 predator. I use overgrown, thick plantings of butterfly/moth/hummingbird nectar producing plants around our property. I have noticed the local free roaming cats just LOVE to hide in these flowers and are waiting WELL before daylight in these beds. It only takes a quick flick of the paw and another loudly buzzing hummingbird becomes a broken cat toy. Hummingbirds are often buried up clear to their eye balls in petunias or Four O'Clocks and they have to enter a Brugmansia Trumpet flower all the way up inside these 8" long flowers and they are easy targets for a cat when they cannot see them hiding in the flower beds. We did have a Red Fox come through the yard Saturday so maybe there have always been quick, four legged predators of these tiny hummers. KK *********************** To stop receiving messages from this list, send an e-mail message bluebird-L-request AT cornell.edu The body of the message is simply leave More info on leaving e-lists: http://www.cit.cornell.edu/computer/elist/lyris/leave-more.html *********************** To stop receiving messages from this list, send an e-mail message bluebird-L-request AT cornell.edu The body of the message is simply leave More info on leaving e-lists: http://www.cit.cornell.edu/computer/elist/lyris/leave-more.html *********************** To stop receiving messages from this list, send an e-mail message bluebird-L-request AT cornell.edu The body of the message is simply leave More info on leaving e-lists: http://www.cit.cornell.edu/computer/elist/lyris/leave-more.html Subject: OT: First Junco's arrive/Cat's that never leave From: Duane Rice <drbirdsong4 AT hotmail.com> Date: Tue, 27 Oct 2009 17:00:21 -0500 Almost as much a hot topic here on the L ,as House Sparrows, Cats run a close second, in getting people emotional. However, it doesn't change the fact, cats, specifically feral cats, or house cats, that don't stay indoors, are the #1 killer of all songbirds. Humans being the problem and the solution, by not being responsible owners, but having the capacity to to so. I won't go in to what you can do to cat-proof your feeding station, common sense should prevail, but just be aware of the problem, think like a cat, act like a bird, and do what you can to be humane to both. Keep your ears open for the birds' alarm calls. They will often be aware of the prowler before you are. To avoid a tragedy; Keep it safe, keep it clean, keep it filled, and you will be rewarded with a ringside seat to nature's bounty. dr > From: linyl AT windstream.net > To: txbluebirder AT suddenlink.net; BLUEBIRD-L AT cornell.edu > Subject: RE: First Junco's arrive > Date: Tue, 27 Oct 2009 17:17:12 -0400 > > Very disturbing to hear that cats are the number #1 predator of > hummingbirds. I thought since they were so fast, cats would not be able to > catch them. I have a nuisance cat coming around often, even though I shoot > at it with the BB gun. It's mostly black, which gives it cover. One minute > I see it and then it's gone in a flash. Most of the time when I shoot at a > cat, it stays away, but this one is persistent. I simply just can't > understand why someone would unleash their cat to prowl and kill. It's such > a problem! > > Linda in NW GA > > > > > > -----Original Message----- > From: bounce-4488939-9482887 AT list.cornell.edu > [mailto:bounce-4488939-9482887 AT list.cornell.edu] On Behalf Of Keith Kridler > Sent: Monday, October 26, 2009 8:01 AM > To: BLUEBIRD-L > Subject: First Junco's arrive > > > Keith Kridler Mt. Pleasant, Texas > I had the first small flock of Junco's arrive in our yard 48 hours after a > 39*F morning. > > We have minor flooding again today as another inch of rain has fallen on > saturated soils. Heavy rains are forecast for the next 36 hours. This makes > 21" of rain fall since Sept. 1 and just over 60" of rain so far this year. > > It is amazing to me that more birds don't drown in these massive rain storms > > especially with all of the scattered large hail in the super cells imbedded > within these fronts. > > Hummingbirds are still coming to feeders about 1/2 an hour before sunrise. > They are dark shadows seeking a quick meal before the sun actually nudges > away the night. > > http://www.hummingbirdsociety.org/hottopics/predators.asp > > The above link talks about the predators of hummingbirds and they > mention/list cats as possibly being the number 1 predator. I use overgrown, > thick plantings of butterfly/moth/hummingbird nectar producing plants around > > our property. I have noticed the local free roaming cats just LOVE to hide > in these flowers and are waiting WELL before daylight in these beds. It only > > takes a quick flick of the paw and another loudly buzzing hummingbird > becomes a broken cat toy. Hummingbirds are often buried up clear to their > eye balls in petunias or Four O'Clocks and they have to enter a Brugmansia > Trumpet flower all the way up inside these 8" long flowers and they are easy > > targets for a cat when they cannot see them hiding in the flower beds. > > We did have a Red Fox come through the yard Saturday so maybe there have > always been quick, four legged predators of these tiny hummers. KK > > > *********************** > To stop receiving messages from this list, send an e-mail message > bluebird-L-request AT cornell.edu > The body of the message is simply > leave > > More info on leaving e-lists: > http://www.cit.cornell.edu/computer/elist/lyris/leave-more.html > > > *********************** > To stop receiving messages from this list, send an e-mail message > bluebird-L-request AT cornell.edu > The body of the message is simply > leave > > More info on leaving e-lists: http://www.cit.cornell.edu/computer/elist/lyris/leave-more.html _________________________________________________________________ New Windows 7: Find the right PC for you. Learn more. http://www.microsoft.com/windows/pc-scout/default.aspx?CBID=wl&ocid=PID24727::T:WLMTAGL:ON:WL:en-US:WWL_WIN_pcscout:102009 *********************** To stop receiving messages from this list, send an e-mail message bluebird-L-request AT cornell.edu The body of the message is simply leave More info on leaving e-lists: http://www.cit.cornell.edu/computer/elist/lyris/leave-more.html Subject: RE: Woodpecker/Winter Roosting From: Duane Rice <drbirdsong4 AT hotmail.com> Date: Tue, 27 Oct 2009 16:38:40 -0500 Andy, There are a lot of variables here, so you'll get many different suggestions. Where you are has a lot to do with whether one chooses to leave old nests for roosting. Here, in the south (Tennessee) we don't usually have long spells of cold weather, cold enough to do harm to the birds, that is. However, the signs are pointing to this winter being exceptionally hard. I don't usually leave old nests in my boxes. I have found the birds still roost in some, regardless of old nests being present or not. On the other hand, if a box had a nest that was unused for some reason, I might leave it until spring. I left such a nest, in my slippin' silo type box, just to see if the birds would prefer to roost in it. So far, no evidence of roosting. But it isn't winter yet. Perhaps others could perform such an experiment and see what the results are? It could be interesting to see. dr > Subject: RE: Woodpecker > Date: Tue, 27 Oct 2009 15:38:30 -0400 > From: brownaj AT co.cal.md.us > To: lemerich AT epix.net; Bluebird-L AT cornell.edu > > Hi everyone, > I have recently received a question from one of my trail volunteers that > applies somewhat to this topic. She asked if she should leave the old > nest in the box through the winter to help insulate the roosting birds > if they were to choose to roost there? Has anyone read anything along > the lines of leaving old nests or putting fresh material in boxes to > help the birds stay warm while roosting? > Andy Brown > Prince Frederick, Md. > > -----Original Message----- > From: bounce-4496684-9803145 AT list.cornell.edu > [mailto:bounce-4496684-9803145 AT list.cornell.edu] On Behalf Of Lynn > Sent: Tuesday, October 27, 2009 3:20 PM > To: Bluebird List > Subject: Re: Woodpecker > > Bill, Duane, and all. I guess I should have been more clear with the > question. I was wondering if I should be doing anything to encourage > him to stay there. I'm not worried about him wrecking the box, as he > has no proiblem getting in. Do they like or need wood chips like some > of the nesting woodpeckers. I have a good supply if needed. > There are several downys here, but have never found a nesting place if > they have one. > > Lynn > > William Apgar wrote: > > > Lynn, > > > > I have about 38 boxes out and I get a lot of them. I used to have one > > > in the box at my house in the winter, but she was eliminated by a > > house sparrow in January of 08 :-(. > > > > They are nice birds to have in there and they appreciate the shelter > > in the winter. They will leave their little grey feathers and a bunch > > > of sawdust and wood chips on the floor of the box. Once I had a trap > > in the box and she perched on the hinge without springing the trap and > > > went to sleep there. > > > > > > *********************** > To stop receiving messages from this list, send an e-mail message > bluebird-L-request AT cornell.edu > The body of the message is simply > leave > > More info on leaving e-lists: > http://www.cit.cornell.edu/computer/elist/lyris/leave-more.html > > *********************** > To stop receiving messages from this list, send an e-mail message > bluebird-L-request AT cornell.edu > The body of the message is simply > leave > > More info on leaving e-lists: http://www.cit.cornell.edu/computer/elist/lyris/leave-more.html _________________________________________________________________ New Windows 7: Find the right PC for you. Learn more. http://www.microsoft.com/windows/pc-scout/default.aspx?CBID=wl&ocid=PID24727::T:WLMTAGL:ON:WL:en-US:WWL_WIN_pcscout:102009 *********************** To stop receiving messages from this list, send an e-mail message bluebird-L-request AT cornell.edu The body of the message is simply leave More info on leaving e-lists: http://www.cit.cornell.edu/computer/elist/lyris/leave-more.html Subject: RE: First Junco's arrive From: "linyl" <linyl AT windstream.net> Date: Tue, 27 Oct 2009 17:17:12 -0400 Very disturbing to hear that cats are the number #1 predator of hummingbirds. I thought since they were so fast, cats would not be able to catch them. I have a nuisance cat coming around often, even though I shoot at it with the BB gun. It's mostly black, which gives it cover. One minute I see it and then it's gone in a flash. Most of the time when I shoot at a cat, it stays away, but this one is persistent. I simply just can't understand why someone would unleash their cat to prowl and kill. It's such a problem! Linda in NW GA -----Original Message----- From: bounce-4488939-9482887 AT list.cornell.edu [mailto:bounce-4488939-9482887 AT list.cornell.edu] On Behalf Of Keith Kridler Sent: Monday, October 26, 2009 8:01 AM To: BLUEBIRD-L Subject: First Junco's arrive Keith Kridler Mt. Pleasant, Texas I had the first small flock of Junco's arrive in our yard 48 hours after a 39*F morning. We have minor flooding again today as another inch of rain has fallen on saturated soils. Heavy rains are forecast for the next 36 hours. This makes 21" of rain fall since Sept. 1 and just over 60" of rain so far this year. It is amazing to me that more birds don't drown in these massive rain storms especially with all of the scattered large hail in the super cells imbedded within these fronts. Hummingbirds are still coming to feeders about 1/2 an hour before sunrise. They are dark shadows seeking a quick meal before the sun actually nudges away the night. http://www.hummingbirdsociety.org/hottopics/predators.asp The above link talks about the predators of hummingbirds and they mention/list cats as possibly being the number 1 predator. I use overgrown, thick plantings of butterfly/moth/hummingbird nectar producing plants around our property. I have noticed the local free roaming cats just LOVE to hide in these flowers and are waiting WELL before daylight in these beds. It only takes a quick flick of the paw and another loudly buzzing hummingbird becomes a broken cat toy. Hummingbirds are often buried up clear to their eye balls in petunias or Four O'Clocks and they have to enter a Brugmansia Trumpet flower all the way up inside these 8" long flowers and they are easy targets for a cat when they cannot see them hiding in the flower beds. We did have a Red Fox come through the yard Saturday so maybe there have always been quick, four legged predators of these tiny hummers. KK *********************** To stop receiving messages from this list, send an e-mail message bluebird-L-request AT cornell.edu The body of the message is simply leave More info on leaving e-lists: http://www.cit.cornell.edu/computer/elist/lyris/leave-more.html *********************** To stop receiving messages from this list, send an e-mail message bluebird-L-request AT cornell.edu The body of the message is simply leave More info on leaving e-lists: http://www.cit.cornell.edu/computer/elist/lyris/leave-more.html Subject: RE: Woodpecker From: "Brown, Andrew J." <brownaj AT co.cal.md.us> Date: Tue, 27 Oct 2009 15:52:31 -0400 Hi everyone, I have recently received a question from one of my trail volunteers that applies somewhat to this topic. She asked if she should leave the old nest in the box through the winter to help insulate the roosting birds if they were to choose to roost there? Has anyone read anything along the lines of leaving old nests or putting fresh material in boxes to help the birds stay warm while roosting? Andy Brown Prince Frederick, Md. -----Original Message----- From: bounce-4496838-9803145 AT list.cornell.edu [mailto:bounce-4496838-9803145 AT list.cornell.edu] On Behalf Of Jason Kitting Sent: Tuesday, October 27, 2009 3:46 PM To: Lynn Cc: Bluebird-L Subject: Re: Woodpecker I had a downy use a box of mine last year and I heard that they like wood chips so I put some in there. The woodpecker made a bowl shape in the chips and spent all winter roosting in the box. To make sure it was there without disturbing the bird, I would put a little more wood chips in his bowl to flatten it and if there was another bowl the next day, I knew he had used the box. That way I could check if the box was being used when the bird was out for the day. I hope this helped. Jason Tijeras, NM On Oct 27, 2009, at 1:19 PM, Lynn wrote: Bill, Duane, and all. I guess I should have been more clear with the question. I was wondering if I should be doing anything to encourage him to stay there. I'm not worried about him wrecking the box, as he has no proiblem getting in. Do they like or need wood chips like some of the nesting woodpeckers. I have a good supply if needed. There are several downys here, but have never found a nesting place if they have one. Lynn William Apgar wrote: Lynn, I have about 38 boxes out and I get a lot of them. I used to have one in the box at my house in the winter, but she was eliminated by a house sparrow in January of 08 :-(. They are nice birds to have in there and they appreciate the shelter in the winter. They will leave their little grey feathers and a bunch of sawdust and wood chips on the floor of the box. Once I had a trap in the box and she perched on the hinge without springing the trap and went to sleep there. *********************** To stop receiving messages from this list, send an e-mail message bluebird-L-request AT cornell.edu The body of the message is simply leave More info on leaving e-lists: http://www.cit.cornell.edu/computer/elist/lyris/leave-more.html *********************** To stop receiving messages from this list, send an e-mail message bluebird-L-request AT cornell.edu The body of the message is simply leave More info on leaving e-lists: http://www.cit.cornell.edu/computer/elist/lyris/leave-more.html *********************** To stop receiving messages from this list, send an e-mail message bluebird-L-request AT cornell.edu The body of the message is simply leave More info on leaving e-lists: http://www.cit.cornell.edu/computer/elist/lyris/leave-more.html Subject: RE: Woodpecker From: "Brown, Andrew J." <brownaj AT co.cal.md.us> Date: Tue, 27 Oct 2009 15:38:30 -0400 Hi everyone, I have recently received a question from one of my trail volunteers that applies somewhat to this topic. She asked if she should leave the old nest in the box through the winter to help insulate the roosting birds if they were to choose to roost there? Has anyone read anything along the lines of leaving old nests or putting fresh material in boxes to help the birds stay warm while roosting? Andy Brown Prince Frederick, Md. -----Original Message----- From: bounce-4496684-9803145 AT list.cornell.edu [mailto:bounce-4496684-9803145 AT list.cornell.edu] On Behalf Of Lynn Sent: Tuesday, October 27, 2009 3:20 PM To: Bluebird List Subject: Re: Woodpecker Bill, Duane, and all. I guess I should have been more clear with the question. I was wondering if I should be doing anything to encourage him to stay there. I'm not worried about him wrecking the box, as he has no proiblem getting in. Do they like or need wood chips like some of the nesting woodpeckers. I have a good supply if needed. There are several downys here, but have never found a nesting place if they have one. Lynn William Apgar wrote: > Lynn, > > I have about 38 boxes out and I get a lot of them. I used to have one > in the box at my house in the winter, but she was eliminated by a > house sparrow in January of 08 :-(. > > They are nice birds to have in there and they appreciate the shelter > in the winter. They will leave their little grey feathers and a bunch > of sawdust and wood chips on the floor of the box. Once I had a trap > in the box and she perched on the hinge without springing the trap and > went to sleep there. > *********************** To stop receiving messages from this list, send an e-mail message bluebird-L-request AT cornell.edu The body of the message is simply leave More info on leaving e-lists: http://www.cit.cornell.edu/computer/elist/lyris/leave-more.html *********************** To stop receiving messages from this list, send an e-mail message bluebird-L-request AT cornell.edu The body of the message is simply leave More info on leaving e-lists: http://www.cit.cornell.edu/computer/elist/lyris/leave-more.html Subject: Re: Woodpecker From: Jason Kitting <jrkitting AT yahoo.com> Date: Tue, 27 Oct 2009 12:45:57 -0700 (PDT) I had a downy use a box of mine last year and I heard that they like wood chips so I put some in there. The woodpecker made a bowl shape in the chips and spent all winter roosting in the box. To make sure it was there without disturbing the bird, I would put a little more wood chips in his bowl to flatten it and if there was another bowl the next day, I knew he had used the box. That way I could check if the box was being used when the bird was out for the day. I hope this helped. Jason Tijeras, NM On Oct 27, 2009, at 1:19 PM, Lynn wrote: Bill, Duane, and all. I guess I should have been more clear with the question. I was wondering if I should be doing anything to encourage him to stay there. I'm not worried about him wrecking the box, as he has no proiblem getting in. Do they like or need wood chips like some of the nesting woodpeckers. I have a good supply if needed. There are several downys here, but have never found a nesting place if they have one. Lynn William Apgar wrote: Lynn, I have about 38 boxes out and I get a lot of them. I used to have one in the box at my house in the winter, but she was eliminated by a house sparrow in January of 08 :-(. They are nice birds to have in there and they appreciate the shelter in the winter. They will leave their little grey feathers and a bunch of sawdust and wood chips on the floor of the box. Once I had a trap in the box and she perched on the hinge without springing the trap and went to sleep there. *********************** To stop receiving messages from this list, send an e-mail message bluebird-L-request AT cornell.edu The body of the message is simply leave More info on leaving e-lists: http://www.cit.cornell.edu/computer/elist/lyris/leave-more.html *********************** To stop receiving messages from this list, send an e-mail message bluebird-L-request AT cornell.edu The body of the message is simply leave More info on leaving e-lists: http://www.cit.cornell.edu/computer/elist/lyris/leave-more.html Subject: Re: Woodpecker From: Lynn <lemerich AT epix.net> Date: Tue, 27 Oct 2009 15:19:57 -0400 Bill, Duane, and all. I guess I should have been more clear with the question. I was wondering if I should be doing anything to encourage him to stay there. I'm not worried about him wrecking the box, as he has no proiblem getting in. Do they like or need wood chips like some of the nesting woodpeckers. I have a good supply if needed. There are several downys here, but have never found a nesting place if they have one. Lynn William Apgar wrote: > Lynn, > > I have about 38 boxes out and I get a lot of them. I used to have one > in the box at my house in the winter, but she was eliminated by a > house sparrow in January of 08 :-(. > > They are nice birds to have in there and they appreciate the shelter > in the winter. They will leave their little grey feathers and a bunch > of sawdust and wood chips on the floor of the box. Once I had a trap > in the box and she perched on the hinge without springing the trap and > went to sleep there. > *********************** To stop receiving messages from this list, send an e-mail message bluebird-L-request AT cornell.edu The body of the message is simply leave More info on leaving e-lists: http://www.cit.cornell.edu/computer/elist/lyris/leave-more.html Subject: RE: Woodpecker From: Duane Rice <drbirdsong4 AT hotmail.com> Date: Tue, 27 Oct 2009 13:52:38 -0500 Lynn, I totally agree with Bill. Enjoy your visitor. The damage (if any) will be minimal, and easily repaired. Besides, all native cavity nesters need all the help we can give them, year round. dr Date: Tue, 27 Oct 2009 11:42:37 -0400 Subject: Re: Woodpecker From: wmapgar AT gmail.com To: lemerich AT epix.net CC: Bluebird-L AT cornell.edu Lynn, I have about 38 boxes out and I get a lot of them. I used to have one in the box at my house in the winter, but she was eliminated by a house sparrow in January of 08 :-(. They are nice birds to have in there and they appreciate the shelter in the winter. They will leave their little grey feathers and a bunch of sawdust and wood chips on the floor of the box. Once I had a trap in the box and she perched on the hinge without springing the trap and went to sleep there. After they fall asleep you can open the box quietly and check them out. They will damage the wood on the inside and perhaps make the hole bigger. This could cause an easier way for predators to reach into the box in the spring when the bluebird or other babies are in there. Therefore, after the hole gets comprimised I simply install a predator guard consisting of a small cedar branch "steak" with a 1 1/2" round hole in it. This protects the family and the bluebirds don't mind having it on there in the spring. Bill Apgar MA On Tue, Oct 27, 2009 at 11:16 AM, Lynn wrote: Twice I've seen a downy woodpecker go into one of the houses usually used by bluebirds. This has been late evening when it's almost dark. The box has been cleaned. I haven't seen him come back out so I'm not sure if he's roosting there or just checking it out. Should I be doing something different with this box? Lynn near Bernville PA *********************** To stop receiving messages from this list, send an e-mail message bluebird-L-request AT cornell.edu The body of the message is simply leave More info on leaving e-lists: http://www.cit.cornell.edu/computer/elist/lyris/leave-more.html _________________________________________________________________ New Windows 7: Find the right PC for you. Learn more. http://www.microsoft.com/windows/pc-scout/default.aspx?CBID=wl&ocid=PID24727::T:WLMTAGL:ON:WL:en-US:WWL_WIN_pcscout:102009 *********************** To stop receiving messages from this list, send an e-mail message bluebird-L-request AT cornell.edu The body of the message is simply leave More info on leaving e-lists: http://www.cit.cornell.edu/computer/elist/lyris/leave-more.html Subject: Re: Woodpecker From: William Apgar <wmapgar AT gmail.com> Date: Tue, 27 Oct 2009 11:42:37 -0400 Lynn, I have about 38 boxes out and I get a lot of them. I used to have one in the box at my house in the winter, but she was eliminated by a house sparrow in January of 08 :-(. They are nice birds to have in there and they appreciate the shelter in the winter. They will leave their little grey feathers and a bunch of sawdust and wood chips on the floor of the box. Once I had a trap in the box and she perched on the hinge without springing the trap and went to sleep there. After they fall asleep you can open the box quietly and check them out. They will damage the wood on the inside and perhaps make the hole bigger. This could cause an easier way for predators to reach into the box in the spring when the bluebird or other babies are in there. Therefore, after the hole gets comprimised I simply install a predator guard consisting of a small cedar branch "steak" with a 1 1/2" round hole in it. This protects the family and the bluebirds don't mind having it on there in the spring. Bill Apgar MA On Tue, Oct 27, 2009 at 11:16 AM, Lynn wrote: > Twice I've seen a downy woodpecker go into one of the houses usually used > by bluebirds. This has been late evening when it's almost dark. The box > has been cleaned. I haven't seen him come back out so I'm not sure if he's > roosting there or just checking it out. > Should I be doing something different with this box? > > Lynn near Bernville PA > > *********************** > To stop receiving messages from this list, send an e-mail message > bluebird-L-request AT cornell.edu > The body of the message is simply > leave > > More info on leaving e-lists: > http://www.cit.cornell.edu/computer/elist/lyris/leave-more.html > *********************** To stop receiving messages from this list, send an e-mail message bluebird-L-request AT cornell.edu The body of the message is simply leave More info on leaving e-lists: http://www.cit.cornell.edu/computer/elist/lyris/leave-more.html Subject: Woodpecker From: Lynn <lemerich AT epix.net> Date: Tue, 27 Oct 2009 11:16:38 -0400 Twice I've seen a downy woodpecker go into one of the houses usually used by bluebirds. This has been late evening when it's almost dark. The box has been cleaned. I haven't seen him come back out so I'm not sure if he's roosting there or just checking it out. Should I be doing something different with this box? Lynn near Bernville PA *********************** To stop receiving messages from this list, send an e-mail message bluebird-L-request AT cornell.edu The body of the message is simply leave More info on leaving e-lists: http://www.cit.cornell.edu/computer/elist/lyris/leave-more.html Subject: RE: First Junco's arrive From: "Dottie" <yumyumkatts AT voyager.net> Date: Mon, 26 Oct 2009 21:20:22 -0400 I haven't seen a junco or snowbird yet either. 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-4492778-3587711 AT list.cornell.edu [mailto:bounce-4492778-3587711 AT list.cornell.edu] On Behalf Of Bob Walshaw Sent: Monday, October 26, 2009 6:59 PM To: Steve and Cindy Groene; 'BLUEBIRD-L' Subject: Re: First Junco's arrive OK, They are here. I was moving some Bluebird boxes away from a Martin house this PM and ran into a small flock of Juncos. Bob Walshaw, NE OK. ----- Original Message ----- From: "Steve and Cindy Groene" To: "'BLUEBIRD-L'" Sent: Monday, October 26, 2009 5:00 PM Subject: RE: First Junco's arrive Very interesting. I'm in Michigan and haven't seen the first juncos yet. Cindy Groene SE MI *********************** To stop receiving messages from this list, send an e-mail message bluebird-L-request AT cornell.edu The body of the message is simply leave More info on leaving e-lists: http://www.cit.cornell.edu/computer/elist/lyris/leave-more.html *********************** To stop receiving messages from this list, send an e-mail message bluebird-L-request AT cornell.edu The body of the message is simply leave More info on leaving e-lists: http://www.cit.cornell.edu/computer/elist/lyris/leave-more.html *********************** To stop receiving messages from this list, send an e-mail message bluebird-L-request AT cornell.edu The body of the message is simply leave More info on leaving e-lists: http://www.cit.cornell.edu/computer/elist/lyris/leave-more.html Subject: Re: First Junco's arrive From: "Bob Walshaw" <walshaw1 AT cox.net> Date: Mon, 26 Oct 2009 17:58:56 -0500 OK, They are here. I was moving some Bluebird boxes away from a Martin house this PM and ran into a small flock of Juncos. Bob Walshaw, NE OK. ----- Original Message ----- From: "Steve and Cindy Groene" To: "'BLUEBIRD-L'" Sent: Monday, October 26, 2009 5:00 PM Subject: RE: First Junco's arrive Very interesting. I'm in Michigan and haven't seen the first juncos yet. Cindy Groene SE MI *********************** To stop receiving messages from this list, send an e-mail message bluebird-L-request AT cornell.edu The body of the message is simply leave More info on leaving e-lists: http://www.cit.cornell.edu/computer/elist/lyris/leave-more.html *********************** To stop receiving messages from this list, send an e-mail message bluebird-L-request AT cornell.edu The body of the message is simply leave More info on leaving e-lists: http://www.cit.cornell.edu/computer/elist/lyris/leave-more.html Subject: RE: First Junco's arrive From: "Steve and Cindy Groene" <hausgroene AT comcast.net> Date: Mon, 26 Oct 2009 18:00:23 -0400 Very interesting. I'm in Michigan and haven't seen the first juncos yet. Cindy Groene SE MI *********************** To stop receiving messages from this list, send an e-mail message bluebird-L-request AT cornell.edu The body of the message is simply leave More info on leaving e-lists: http://www.cit.cornell.edu/computer/elist/lyris/leave-more.html