[BCNnet] No Birds: Study of Nest Boxes
judymellin
judymellin@netzero.net
Mon, 27 Jan 2003 19:17:09 -0800
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This study was posted to IBET several weeks ago. The author has now =
expanded the study from competition from starlings to include =
competition from house sparrows, too.
If anyone is interested in helping out with this study, please contact =
William P. Mueller
E-mail Address(es):
iltlawas@earthlink.net
Judy Mellin
Bird Monitor
Poplar Creek Prairie Stewards
Hoffman Estates
----- Original Message -----=20
From: William P. Mueller=20
To: Undisclosed-recipients:=20
Sent: Sunday, January 26, 2003 8:06 PM
Subject: instructions for cooperators - cavity nesting birds & =
competition study
Project cooperators:=20
Attached are the "instuctions for cooperators" for the new =
cavity-nesting birds & competition study.=20
If you need plans for a nestbox for flickers or other cavity-nesting =
species, there are some excellent sources. Look at the website for The =
Birdhouse Network at Cornell's Laboratory of Ornithology at =
http://birds.cornell.edu/birdhouse/bhbasics/nestboxplans.htm You will =
find plans there for nestbox designs for several species, in addition to =
predator guards which will work well with nestboxes.=20
In addition to monitoring for competition with starlings, the project =
has been expanded to include competition with house sparrows. If you do =
intend to go ahead with participating in this project, please respond to =
this message with your name, address, city, state and COUNTY. Please let =
me know whether you will be monitoring nestboxes or natural cavities. If =
you are interested in locating and monitoring natural cavities, =
Professor Danny=20
Ingold of Muskingum College in New Concord, Ohio has done extensive =
research=20
on woodpeckers and starlings. He has offered some suggestions on finding =
woodpecker nest cavities, and I'll quote him here. "There's nothing =
really magical about finding active woodpecker cavities. It's mainly =
done by following vocalizations - the actual calls of the birds, their =
drumming, and the excavation (chiseling) noises. I'd say that 90% of =
the active woodpecker cavities I've found, were located by following =
auditory cues and just by fortuitously coming on dead or dying trees =
with cavities. Occasionally, one might spot a woodpecker and follow =
that individual back to the active nest site. There's no simple, easy =
way --- just takes a lot of walking, listening and looking."=20
An electronic copy of the form to use for recordkeeping while monitoring =
nestboxes or natural cavities will follow in a few more weeks.=20
Bill Mueller=20
Cavity-nesting Birds & Competition Study=20
1242 S. 45 St.=20
Milwaukee, WI 53214=20
Cavity-nesting Birds & Competition Study
Instructions for Cooperators
=20
The objective of this study is to gain insight into the effect of and =
extent of interference competition between the European Starling or =
House Sparrow and any native cavity-nesting bird species. These native =
species might include any one of the following: Wood Duck, Red-headed =
Woodpecker, Red-bellied Woodpecker, Lewis's Woodpecker, Acorn =
Woodpecker, Hairy Woodpecker, Downy Woodpecker, Gila Woodpecker, =
Northern Flicker, Great Crested Flycatcher, Purple Martin, Tree Swallow, =
Eastern Bluebird, Western Bluebird, Mountain Bluebird, or any other =
native North American cavity-nesting species.=20
=20
Please record the observations you make on the accompanying data form. =
Please photocopy the form and make as many copies as you need.=20
=20
Keep a record of the following:
=20
=B7 Please record the native species using or attempting to use a =
pre-existing cavity or nestbox, or excavating a new cavity.
=20
a.. the dates you start and end making observations
=20
a.. a description of the cavity (whether natural or nestbox [if =
nestbox please describe]
=20
a.. a description of the habitat where the cavity or nestbox is found =
(open woodland, closed-canopy woodland, conifer or deciduous tree =
species [identify tree species if possible], agricultural field, =
suburban garden/yard, golf course, etc.
=20
a.. a description of behavior of native cavity-nesting species with =
regard to existing cavity or nestbox, or excavation of cavity by native =
species.
This may include notes such as: "male Northern Flicker =
investigating =20
cavity"; "Eastern Bluebird pair bringing nest material to =
nestbox".
=20
a.. A description of interaction between native species and European =
Starling or Hose Sparrow. This may include notes such as "starling =
investigates cavity with flicker inside"; "starling chases flicker"; =
"Red-headed Woodpecker chases starling"; "starling evicts bluebird from =
cavity". This behavioral description is critical; please try to =
determine exactly what is happening and note the outcome if possible. =
Describe as many of these interactions as you see.=20
=20
a.. Especially attempt to determine if the native species has =
abandoned the=20
cavity or nestbox, whether or not the starling pair or house =20
sparrow pair takes up residence and successfully raises a=20
brood there. If you remove the starling or house sparrow,=20
please note this. If an individual or pair of the same native =
species returns =20
and takes up residence in the cavity or nestbox, please describe =
this event.
=
=20
January, 2003
=20
William P. Mueller
Cavity-nesting Birds & Competition Study
1242 S. 45 St.
Milwaukee, WI 53214
=20
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<META http-equiv=3DContent-Type content=3D"text/html; =
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<BODY bgColor=3D#ffffff>
<DIV>This study was posted to IBET several weeks ago. The author =
has now=20
expanded the study from competition from starlings to include =
competition from=20
house sparrows, too.</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>If anyone is interested in helping out with this study, please =
contact=20
William P. Mueller<BR>E-mail Address(es):<BR> <A=20
href=3D"mailto:iltlawas@earthlink.net">iltlawas@earthlink.net</A></DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>Judy Mellin</DIV>
<DIV>Bird Monitor</DIV>
<DIV>Poplar Creek Prairie Stewards</DIV>
<DIV>Hoffman Estates</DIV>
<DIV style=3D"FONT: 10pt arial">----- Original Message -----=20
<DIV style=3D"BACKGROUND: #e4e4e4; font-color: black"><B>From:</B> <A=20
title=3Diltlawas@earthlink.net =
href=3D"mailto:iltlawas@earthlink.net">William P.=20
Mueller</A> </DIV>
<DIV><B>To:</B> <A title=3DUndisclosed-recipients:=20
href=3D"mailto:Undisclosed-recipients:">Undisclosed-recipients:</A> =
</DIV>
<DIV><B>Sent:</B> Sunday, January 26, 2003 8:06 PM</DIV>
<DIV><B>Subject:</B> instructions for cooperators - cavity nesting birds =
&=20
competition study</DIV></DIV>
<DIV><BR></DIV>Project cooperators:=20
<P>Attached are the "instuctions for cooperators" for the new =
cavity-nesting=20
birds & competition study.=20
<P>If you need plans for a nestbox for flickers or other cavity-nesting =
species,=20
there are some excellent sources. Look at the website for The Birdhouse =
Network=20
at Cornell's Laboratory of Ornithology at <U><FONT color=3D#3366ff><A=20
href=3D"http://birds.cornell.edu/birdhouse/bhbasics/nestboxplans.htm">htt=
p://birds.cornell.edu/birdhouse/bhbasics/nestboxplans.htm</A></FONT></U><=
FONT=20
color=3D#000000> You will find plans there for nestbox designs for =
several=20
species, in addition to predator guards which will work well with=20
nestboxes.</FONT>=20
<P>In addition to monitoring for competition with starlings, the project =
has=20
been expanded to include competition with house sparrows. If you do =
intend to go=20
ahead with participating in this project, please respond to this message =
with=20
your name, address, city, state and COUNTY. Please let me know whether =
you will=20
be monitoring <B><FONT color=3D#009900>nestboxes</FONT></B> or <B><FONT=20
color=3D#3366ff>natural cavities</FONT></B>. If <BR>you are interested =
in locating=20
and monitoring natural cavities, Professor Danny <BR>Ingold of Muskingum =
College=20
in New Concord, Ohio has done extensive research <BR>on woodpeckers and=20
starlings. He has offered some suggestions on finding woodpecker nest =
cavities,=20
and I'll quote him here. "There's nothing really magical about finding =
active=20
woodpecker cavities. It's mainly done by following vocalizations - =
the=20
actual calls of the birds, their drumming, and the excavation =
(chiseling)=20
noises. I'd say that 90% of the active woodpecker cavities I've =
found,=20
were located by following auditory cues and just by fortuitously coming =
on dead=20
or dying trees with cavities. Occasionally, one might spot a =
woodpecker=20
and follow that individual back to the active nest site. There's =
no=20
simple, easy way --- just takes a lot of walking, listening and =
looking."=20
<P>An electronic copy of the form to use for recordkeeping while =
monitoring=20
nestboxes or natural cavities will follow in a few more weeks.=20
<P>Bill Mueller <BR>Cavity-nesting Birds & Competition Study =
<BR>1242 S. 45=20
St. <BR>Milwaukee, WI 53214=20
<P>
<P class=3DMsoNormal style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; TEXT-ALIGN: center"=20
align=3Dcenter><B><SPAN style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 16pt; mso-bidi-font-size: =
12.0pt"><FONT=20
face=3D"Times New Roman">Cavity-nesting Birds & Competition=20
Study<?xml:namespace prefix =3D o ns =3D =
"urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office"=20
/><o:p></o:p></FONT></SPAN></B></P>
<H1 style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><FONT face=3D"Times New Roman" =
size=3D5>Instructions=20
for Cooperators</FONT></H1>
<P class=3DMsoNormal style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; TEXT-ALIGN: center"=20
align=3Dcenter><B><SPAN style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 16pt; mso-bidi-font-size: =
12.0pt"><FONT=20
face=3D"Times New Roman"> <o:p></o:p></FONT></SPAN></B></P>
<P class=3DMsoBodyText style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><STRONG><FONT=20
face=3D"Times New Roman">The objective of this study is to gain insight =
into the=20
effect of and extent of interference competition between the European =
Starling=20
or House Sparrow and any native cavity-nesting bird species. These =
native=20
species might include any one of the following: Wood Duck, Red-headed=20
Woodpecker, Red-bellied Woodpecker, Lewis=92s Woodpecker, Acorn =
Woodpecker, Hairy=20
Woodpecker, Downy Woodpecker, Gila Woodpecker, Northern Flicker, Great =
Crested=20
Flycatcher, Purple Martin, Tree Swallow, Eastern Bluebird, Western =
Bluebird,=20
Mountain Bluebird, or any other native North American cavity-nesting =
species.=20
</FONT></STRONG></P>
<P class=3DMsoBodyText style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><STRONG><FONT=20
face=3D"Times New Roman"> <o:p></o:p></FONT></STRONG></P>
<P class=3DMsoBodyText style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><STRONG><FONT=20
face=3D"Times New Roman">Please record the observations you make on the=20
accompanying data form. <SPAN style=3D"COLOR: red">Please photocopy the =
form and=20
make as many copies as you need.</SPAN> </FONT></STRONG></P>
<P class=3DMsoBodyText style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><STRONG><FONT=20
face=3D"Times New Roman"> <o:p></o:p></FONT></STRONG></P>
<P class=3DMsoBodyText style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><STRONG><FONT=20
face=3D"Times New Roman">Keep a record of the =
following:</FONT></STRONG></P>
<P class=3DMsoBodyText style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><STRONG><FONT=20
face=3D"Times New Roman"> <o:p></o:p></FONT></STRONG></P>
<P class=3DMsoBodyText=20
style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; TEXT-INDENT: -0.25in; mso-list: l2 =
level1 lfo5; tab-stops: list .5in"><SPAN=20
style=3D"FONT-WEIGHT: normal; FONT-FAMILY: Symbol">=B7<SPAN=20
style=3D"FONT: 7pt 'Times New =
Roman'"> =20
</SPAN></SPAN><STRONG><FONT face=3D"Times New Roman">Please record the =
native=20
species using or attempting to use a pre-existing cavity or nestbox, or=20
excavating a new cavity.</FONT></STRONG></P>
<P class=3DMsoBodyText style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><STRONG><FONT=20
face=3D"Times New Roman"> <o:p></o:p></FONT></STRONG></P>
<UL style=3D"MARGIN-TOP: 0in" type=3Ddisc>
<LI class=3DMsoNormal=20
style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 150%; mso-list: l0 level1 =
lfo4; tab-stops: list .5in"><STRONG><FONT=20
face=3D"Times New Roman">the dates you start and end making=20
observations<o:p></o:p></FONT></STRONG></LI></UL>
<P class=3DMsoNormal=20
style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt 0.25in; LINE-HEIGHT: 150%"><B><FONT=20
face=3D"Times New Roman"> <o:p></o:p></FONT></B></P>
<UL style=3D"MARGIN-TOP: 0in" type=3Ddisc>
<LI class=3DMsoNormal=20
style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 150%; mso-list: l0 level1 =
lfo4; tab-stops: list .5in"><B><FONT=20
face=3D"Times New Roman">a description of the cavity (whether natural =
or nestbox=20
[if nestbox please describe]<o:p></o:p></FONT></B></LI></UL>
<P class=3DMsoNormal=20
style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt 0.25in; LINE-HEIGHT: 150%"><B><FONT=20
face=3D"Times New Roman"> <o:p></o:p></FONT></B></P>
<UL style=3D"MARGIN-TOP: 0in" type=3Ddisc>
<LI class=3DMsoNormal=20
style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 150%; mso-list: l0 level1 =
lfo4; tab-stops: list .5in"><B><FONT=20
face=3D"Times New Roman"><SPAN style=3D"mso-spacerun: =
yes"> </SPAN>a=20
description of the habitat where the cavity or nestbox is found (open=20
woodland, closed-canopy woodland, conifer or deciduous tree species =
[identify=20
tree species if possible], agricultural field, suburban garden/yard, =
golf=20
course, etc.<o:p></o:p></FONT></B></LI></UL>
<P class=3DMsoNormal=20
style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt 0.25in; LINE-HEIGHT: 150%"><B><FONT=20
face=3D"Times New Roman"> <o:p></o:p></FONT></B></P>
<UL style=3D"MARGIN-TOP: 0in" type=3Ddisc>
<LI class=3DMsoNormal=20
style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 150%; mso-list: l0 level1 =
lfo4; tab-stops: list .5in"><B><FONT=20
face=3D"Times New Roman">a description of behavior of native =
cavity-nesting=20
species with regard to existing cavity or nestbox, or excavation of =
cavity by=20
native species.<o:p></o:p></FONT></B></LI></UL>
<H2 style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt 0.25in"><FONT size=3D3><FONT=20
face=3D"Times New Roman"><SPAN=20
style=3D"mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>This =
may include=20
notes such as: =94male Northern Flicker investigating<SPAN=20
style=3D"mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN></FONT></FONT></H2>
<P class=3DMsoNormal=20
style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt 0.25in; LINE-HEIGHT: 150%"><B><FONT=20
face=3D"Times New Roman"><SPAN=20
style=3D"mso-spacerun: yes"> =
</SPAN>cavity=94;=20
=93Eastern Bluebird pair bringing nest material to=20
nestbox=94.<o:p></o:p></FONT></B></P>
<P class=3DMsoNormal=20
style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt 0.25in; LINE-HEIGHT: 150%"><B><FONT=20
face=3D"Times New Roman"> <o:p></o:p></FONT></B></P>
<UL style=3D"MARGIN-TOP: 0in" type=3Ddisc>
<LI class=3DMsoNormal=20
style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 150%; mso-list: l0 level1 =
lfo4; tab-stops: list .5in"><B><FONT=20
face=3D"Times New Roman">A description of interaction between native =
species and=20
European Starling or Hose Sparrow. This may include notes such as =
=93starling=20
investigates cavity with flicker inside=94; =93starling chases =
flicker=94;=20
=93Red-headed Woodpecker chases starling=94; =93starling evicts =
bluebird from=20
cavity=94. This behavioral description is critical; please try to =
determine=20
exactly what is happening and note the outcome if possible. Describe =
as many=20
of these interactions as you see. <o:p></o:p></FONT></B></LI></UL>
<P class=3DMsoNormal=20
style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt 0.25in; LINE-HEIGHT: 150%"><B><FONT=20
face=3D"Times New Roman"><SPAN=20
style=3D"mso-spacerun: yes"> =20
</SPAN><o:p></o:p></FONT></B></P>
<UL style=3D"MARGIN-TOP: 0in" type=3Ddisc>
<LI class=3DMsoNormal=20
style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 150%; mso-list: l0 level1 =
lfo4; tab-stops: list .5in"><B><FONT=20
face=3D"Times New Roman"><SPAN style=3D"mso-spacerun: =
yes"> </SPAN>Especially=20
attempt to determine if the native species has abandoned the=20
<o:p></o:p></FONT></B></LI></UL>
<P class=3DMsoNormal=20
style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt 0.25in; LINE-HEIGHT: 150%"><B><FONT=20
face=3D"Times New Roman"><SPAN=20
style=3D"mso-spacerun: yes"> =
</SPAN>cavity or=20
nestbox, whether or not the starling pair or house<SPAN=20
style=3D"mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN><o:p></o:p></FONT></B></P>
<P class=3DMsoNormal=20
style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt 0.25in; LINE-HEIGHT: 150%"><B><FONT=20
face=3D"Times New Roman"><SPAN=20
style=3D"mso-spacerun: yes"> =
</SPAN>sparrow=20
pair takes up residence and successfully raises a =
<o:p></o:p></FONT></B></P>
<P class=3DMsoNormal style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: =
150%"><B><FONT=20
face=3D"Times New Roman"><SPAN=20
style=3D"mso-spacerun: =
yes"> &n=
bsp;=20
</SPAN>brood there. If you remove the starling or house sparrow,=20
<o:p></o:p></FONT></B></P>
<P class=3DMsoNormal=20
style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt 0.25in; LINE-HEIGHT: 150%"><B><FONT=20
face=3D"Times New Roman"><SPAN=20
style=3D"mso-spacerun: yes"> =
</SPAN>please=20
note this. If an individual or pair <U>of the same native species</U>=20
returns<SPAN style=3D"mso-spacerun: yes"> =
</SPAN><o:p></o:p></FONT></B></P>
<P class=3DMsoNormal=20
style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt 0.25in; LINE-HEIGHT: 150%"><B><FONT=20
face=3D"Times New Roman"><SPAN=20
style=3D"mso-spacerun: yes"> =
</SPAN>and takes=20
up residence in the cavity or nestbox, please describe this=20
event.<o:p></o:p></FONT></B></P>
<P class=3DMsoNormal=20
style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt 0.25in; LINE-HEIGHT: 150%"><B><FONT=20
face=3D"Times New Roman"><SPAN=20
style=3D"mso-spacerun: =
yes"> =20
</SPAN><SPAN=20
style=3D"mso-spacerun: =
yes"> &n=
bsp; &nb=
sp; &nbs=
p;  =
; =
&=
nbsp; &n=
bsp; &nb=
sp; &nbs=
p; </SPAN><o:p=
></o:p></FONT></B></P>
<P class=3DMsoNormal=20
style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt 0.25in; LINE-HEIGHT: 150%; TEXT-ALIGN: =
center"=20
align=3Dcenter><B><FONT face=3D"Times New Roman">January,=20
2003<o:p></o:p></FONT></B></P>
<P class=3DMsoNormal=20
style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt 0.25in; LINE-HEIGHT: 150%; TEXT-ALIGN: =
center"=20
align=3Dcenter><B><FONT face=3D"Times New =
Roman"> <o:p></o:p></FONT></B></P>
<P class=3DMsoNormal=20
style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt 0.25in; LINE-HEIGHT: 150%; TEXT-ALIGN: =
center"=20
align=3Dcenter><B><FONT face=3D"Times New Roman">William P.=20
Mueller<o:p></o:p></FONT></B></P>
<P class=3DMsoNormal=20
style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt 0.25in; LINE-HEIGHT: 150%; TEXT-ALIGN: =
center"=20
align=3Dcenter><B><FONT face=3D"Times New Roman">Cavity-nesting Birds =
&=20
Competition Study<o:p></o:p></FONT></B></P>
<P class=3DMsoNormal=20
style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt 0.25in; LINE-HEIGHT: 150%; TEXT-ALIGN: =
center"=20
align=3Dcenter><B><FONT face=3D"Times New Roman">1242 S. 45=20
St.<o:p></o:p></FONT></B></P>
<P class=3DMsoNormal=20
style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt 0.25in; LINE-HEIGHT: 150%; TEXT-ALIGN: =
center"=20
align=3Dcenter><B><FONT face=3D"Times New Roman">Milwaukee, WI=20
53214<o:p></o:p></FONT></B></P>
<P> </P>
<P> </P></BODY></HTML>
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