Jack Perkins noticed an overabundance of non-native squirrels living around his downtown Mountain View home, and worried they might be making it difficult for native bird species to find places to nest. So he did something about it.
Since late December, Perkins has installed nearly 45 nesting boxes for cavity-dwelling birds, most of them near his home, and encouraged neighbors to put up many more.
His efforts began with a training session from the Santa Clara Valley Audubon Society (SCVAS), which showed him how to install and monitor the nests. Then he got a letter published in the Voice last January, and then came the media attention, all of which has sparked a flood of interest.
“It’s like I hit a nerve,” Perkins said.
SCVAS programs coordinator Kim Yuan-Farrell said that as a result of Perkins’ efforts, her group has received “around 300 responses wondering about programs and how to get nest boxes.” Additional nest-building sessions had to be scheduled to accommodate the demand, she said.
Many songbirds native to the Peninsula are cavity-dwelling, meaning they seek shelter in natural cavities such as decaying trees. Within urban areas, safety precautions often require the removal of this vital habitat. That’s where the nests come in.
“When I go to people’s houses, they have birdhouses hanging from the eaves. They’re decorative, but not [good] for nests. Cavity-nesting birds have specific requirements for nesting,” said Perkins, who particularly loves the wrens and chickadees.
As a result of the improper birdhouses, he said, “A sparrow could go in and create havoc — kill everything and take over the nest.”
Based on the response the SCVAS has received, Perkins believes he’s attained his goal of generating interest in native songbirds. Next on the agenda, he said, “I’d like to get the city into installing barn owl boxes in city properties. They could reduce the rodent population, and maybe some of the Eastern gray squirrels.”
Many variables affect nesting box requirements to ensure successful reproduction and to deter predators, like larger birds, from pillaging the nests. Requirements differ for each species, but all nests should have some basic features:
* Constructed of natural, untreated wood (pine, cedar or fir)
* An entrance hole of the appropriate size to allow desired birds in but keep larger birds out
* An extended, sloped roof to keep the rain out
* A recessed floor and drainage holes to keep the interior dry
* Ventilation holes to allow the interior to remain cool
* A side or top panel that opens to allow easy access for monitoring and cleaning
* No outside perches, which aid predators and other harassing birds
— Christine Lopez
INFORMATION:
Although nesting season has already begun, Kim Yuan-Farrell of the SCVAS says she will still meet with people, give out starter kits or e-mail instructions to install nests for three types of native songbirds. She can be reached at (408) 252-3740 or www.programs@scvas.org. Other nesting box information can be found at the National Wildlife Federation Web site, www.nwf.org.
E-mail Christine Lopez at clopez@mv-voice.com SIDEBAR:
