Bird Houses
Nesting time is an anxious time for birds and bird watchers alike. There are normally many natural losses. Experienced bird students advise that objectivity is important. Don't get too emotionally involved with individual birds and bird families, even though you enjoy them and follow their daily routines in detail. Do all that's possible to protect them during the vulnerable nesting period by providing good habitat, nesting sites and absence of disturbance from man, or cats and dogs, but recognize that nature's way is to produce far more young than are needed to maintain the species. Loss is inevitable, so make an effort to understand death as a part of the balance of nature.
Nesting and rearing for most species is relatively short (five or six weeks), so take special care during this period. Then relax and enjoy the birds.
One way to help make the nesting season more successful is by providing suitable bird houses or nesting boxes and, in some cases, nesting material. Bird houses should be erected in the fall so they can weather over winter and be ready for spring occupancy. If erected in the spring, they should be up by mid-March. |