4Real Forums: Bird nests and feeders

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Exploring God's Creation in Nature and Science
4Real Forums : Exploring God's Creation in Nature and Science

Topic: Bird nests and feeders

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MaryM
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Joined: Feb 11 2005
Location: Colorado
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Posts: 13104

Posted: March 09 2005 at 2:33am \| IP Logged

I have a couple backyard birding questions.

1. Ever since I saw one several years ago, I have been intrigued by the in-house feeders that set inside the window. Coveside Conservation makes one and the Birding Company has three styles. They seem really cool and I think the kids would enjoy seeing birds upclose "inside" the house. But I am wondering if they are really worthwhile or practical? What about the quality or differences between companies? I would be interested in what people have heard about them or experienced first-hand.

2. As part of our nature study this winter we have been taking notice of birds' nests in the bare trees in our neighborhood and park. I had never consciously noticed them in past winters but we have been specifically looking for them this winter - there are so many. I have noticed in the last several days that many trees are starting to bud and I realize that soon it won't be easy to see the nests so easily. I'm just starting to have the kids sketch some trees and location of the nest in the branches and then identifying the location of the trees. We are going to continue to watch and track them (after the leaves come in and they are harder to find) to see if birds are reusing any of them. For those of you who are knowledgeable of bird behavior how often are nest reused? What species of bird tend to reuse their nests or the nests of other birds? Anything in particular we should be looking for?

Thanks for your thoughts.

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Mary M. in Denver

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MacBeth
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Probably at the beach...

Joined: Jan 27 2005
Location: New York
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Posted: March 09 2005 at 9:05am \| IP Logged

Hey Mary!

Oh, I love spring, since we can actually see our little nesting pals. To help identify nests (a tricky business) and form ore detials on nests in general, and the habits of nesters, I use Peterson's Field Guide to Bird's Nests (eastern). there is also a version for western bird nests. The general rule of thumb is never to remove a nest (unless it's in your chimney!!) since birds often reuse them. Owls like to use other birds' nests. A good field guide has more information for different species.

I am glad you reminded me aobut the bird feeders that fit onside the window. I have been admiring them for a while, but have never used one...now that I am redoing the kitchen, perhaps I'll get one.

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MacBeth in NY
Don's wife since '88; "Mom" to the Fab 4
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TracyQ
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Joined: Feb 07 2005
Location: New York
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Posts: 1323

Posted: March 21 2005 at 3:22pm \| IP Logged

Oh, I would LOVE this, but we have squirrels, so we'd end up watching SQUIRRELS INSIDE our house if we bought one of these!

Not only that, we can't even put out bird feeders anymore at all because there's a RAT problem in the suburbs of Buffalo, now that the city got new garbage cans! They all moved into the suburbs now!

I love my birdies, especially my chickadees!

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Blessings and Peace,
Tracy Q.
wife of Marty for 20 years, mom of 3 wonderful children (1 homeschool graduate, 1 12th grader, and a 9th grader),

homeschooling in 15th year in Buffalo, NY

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