Unorthodox Behavior

[drbirdsong4]

As another Bluebird season begins, I must confess, I have indulged in some unorthodox behavior, at least for me anyway.
Partly in an attempt to have everything ready by March first, and in part to experiment a little, I did something that I don't normally do, or recommend others do.
I mounted several boxes on power line poles and trees, as
well as, hung two from tree branches. Gasp!
I normally preach about making sure all boxes are mounted on metal poles with baffles, and I still recommend that it be done in such a manner.
So I guess now I'm a hypocrite.
With my trail having been well established for some time now, and having had great success with Bluebirds, I decided to take a chance with a trail I'm building on a newly aquired property, that is more diverse than the usual lawn/park/field setting.
I'm hoping, that by putting up different size boxes, in different habitat, it will attract different species of secondary cavity nesters.
I'm praying, that my experiment doesn't get any attention from predators, that might find some of the boxes irresistable.
In locations that are accepted, and nests are begun, I plan to use various methods of predator control, depending on what is possible in each locatiion; snake-away, make-shift baffle, metal flange, etc.
If all goes well, I will expand with successful methods in this same area.
All cavity nesting birds are desperate for nesting sites.
If you don't believe it, just sit back and watch how many check out any given box, in any given location, on a warm sunny Spring day. That should make a believer out of anyone.
It should also tell you, if you've got the place, the space, the time, the know how, think outside the box (pun intended), and experiment with other cavity nesters.
The birds often behave in unorthodox ways.
Why shouldn't we?
dr

[Evelyn Cooper]

Hi Duane:

It is good to see you post again.

You have lots of good ideas and it is always a good thing to look for good and better ways of doing things and to accomodate our native cavity nesters that are desperate for homes. After all, that is the idea behind these experiments?

The #1 Rule in my book is to always be responsible. Knowing your predators in your area and keeping that uptmost in your mind when you set out any kind of nesting box for them is the most responsible way.

As for hanging a box in a tree, in many parts of the country it will attract species other than Bluebirds and that is good also as they are in such need of a cavity to nest in. But, in some areas as I have preached before, it is more trouble than it is worth to hang them in a tree for any species because of depredation from climbing predators. We have some long time bluebirders that think we have bluebird lives to burn just because we have made great strides and "brought them back", but it could take a turn at any time. In fact, we have some species now that are on the endangered and threatened list. A prolonged spell of drastic weather in many parts of the nation could take thousands of their lives. It will happen again at some point and we have to do all we can to help sustain them during those times.

Bluebird experts say that "snake away" and other chemicals do not deter the snakes. I have not tried it, but I really think I would also add a predator guard to give them more protection.

To answer you last question, I again say, "we MUST be responsible" and not let our experimentations cost more than it yields.

Evelyn
Delhi, LA

[drbirdsong4]

Evelyn,
As I expected, your reply was just what I hoped for.
I look forward to the challenges this "experiment" might present.
Being responsible is utmost in my mind, as well as sharing what I learn along the way, so that others might benefit.
Keep growing, keep learning, keep caring.
dr