Just a few lines about my neighbor, Don Yoder, a principal in the California Bluebird Recovery Program. I offered to put up a page for his efforts, but he declined "for the moment."
But, here in Rossmoor, strewn along the length of two golf courses and up into the hills, along the trails and thru the woods, there are over 100 hand-hewn "deep" bird nest boxes of the type that bluebirds need to nest. Don has built, installed and maintained these for years before I came on the scene. I just want to give him credit for his caring and unsung efforts on this birding site.
If you would like to know more about his efforts, e-mail him.
And here is a link to more bluebird work by the NABS. This site includes recommended Bluebird nest box specifications
February 2003 update: I took a few pictures for our local paper of Don in action last Fall, and so now he has an almost physical presence on the internet.
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Using a state-of-the-art screwdriver, Don loosens the screws in the top of a bluebird nest box. |
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Here he inventories the contents: nesting materials, eggs, young or even acorns(!), sometimes stored there by woodpeckers. |
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Note the wire entryway which protects the young from a variety of predators |
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Nest Views from the 2003 Season
Altho' the goal is to help the recovery of bluebirds throughout North America, these nest boxes make attractive homes for several other species. Wrens also put twigs into some nest boxes for other reasons and you can read about it here.
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Oak Titmouse has this place under construction |
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Mom's on the job and on guard |
Above are five Titmice and below - finally - a Western Bluebird |
These are Bewick Wrens' twig and grass nests |
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And in the empty boxes we find other little critters |
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Copyright (C) Jardine Electronic Services 1998-2006
Last updated November, 2006. Comments or questions?
