Claim Straws In Nest Box Today!

[Evelyn Cooper]

It is 78* here in the shade and I decided to walk out to the backyard nest box and check it and it has claim straws in it!!!

Claim straws are little pieces of grass or pine needles that appear in the box at this time of year when the Bluebirds are checking out the boxes. There's no scientific studies to prove that it is the couple's intent to nest there that put them there, but is sure happens at the beginning of nesting season and many times during the cycle when one is over and another is about to begin. Those boxes are always occupied on my trail and I like to believe it was the pair that left the grasses or pine needles. It is such a joyous find as it lets you know what they are getting ready to do.

On another thread, we talked about the Bluebirds scouting out the boxes in different parts of the nation and how it varies. This claim straw is left many times when the scouting begins. I hope it stays this warm tomorrow, I will check some of my trail and see if there's more scouting going on.

Evelyn
Delhi, LA

[Monty]

I was thinking about this, and going to ask: since it's now winter in my "neck of the woods", do some species of birds have the ability to nest all year long in the southern climes? That would really stink if starlings/h. sparrows were able to nest year round, say in states like: Cal., Fl., etc.

I've never really thought about whether birds living in southern states took a reprieve from nesting, just slowed down some, stopped for a few months, or what. That's what happens when you're a northern-area person, we have autumn and winter when most outside activities slow down or are put on hold for a few months.

Monty

[Evelyn Cooper]

Hi Monty:

It is great to hear from you and have you back posting on our Bluebird Conferences.

Most songbirds do take a break from the nesting cycle. As you know, August usually winds up bluebird nesting in most of the nation. A few reported fledglings in early September this year in different areas.

At Bet Zimmerman's wonderful website on the link I provide below, she gives some fantastic information about the House Sparrow and when it breeds. She states it breeds year round in some places. We don't see any here in the winter months, but if you read her information, she states that they do.

http://www.sialis.org/hosphistory.htm

On another birding forum that I am on, I read about one man seeing a Bald Eagle's nest in south Louisiana a few days ago and he felt the female was feeding nestlings from the activity that was going on. Also, yesterday, a man reported seeing doves copulating. So, we do have some birds here that breed during the winter months.

Thanks for the great question!

Evelyn
Delhi, LA

[Monty]

On the subject of Eagles, I have seen a few along the Wabash river a few times. But, being a "city dweller" now, I rarely see any good or pleasant birds around me. Cardinals, robins, and have seen some chickadees, titmice and heard nuthatches. However, the other day I was out cleaning up our ice-storm mess, and saw an adult Bald Eagle flying over town. I quickly ran into the house, got online, and reported my sighting to the Anishnabe` People (the other Algonquins I'm related to). And it's a joy to hear, if not see, the Sandhills when they're flying over during migration.

Monty

[Jean Pell]

Hi Monty,

I enjoyed your last post and your question.

What about Owls? It seems I have read that they nest in winter. I do wish that I had some Owls here. Does anyone know of a way to attact them. I have a feeling that they are picky.

Jean
NW GA