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Index of Subjects Another way to keep predators from climbing up to a nesting box is to use metal electrical-conduit for the pole on which to mount the box, but place a coupling about four feet off the ground: this will make a thicker portion of the run. Then hang a length of about 18" of 4-inch PVC pipe with an end cap on the upper end, bored in the middle of the end-cap so that it fits over the conduit, but stops at the coupling. The result is that the PVC tube hangs in the middle of the conduit, making an unstable obstacle for the would-be climber. This is similar to a stovepipe baffle. There are many sites for directions for nesting boxes, but here is one of the best, with housing plans suitable for a number of cavity- nesting species: http://www.birds.cornell.edu/nestinginfo/nestboxref/construct On 18 May 2010, at 12:56 PM, Paul S. Boyer wrote: > There are many ingenious devices designed to keep predators out of > nesting boxes. Most are designed to keep larger predators from > reaching in and down to grab the nestlings or eggs. This is done by > extending the depth of the entry-hole, > See: http://www.bluebirdsforever.com/baffles.html > > However, the chipmunks are small enough simply to crawl in. They > will kill nestlings of birds which may compete for seed, such as the > birdseed left out by us humans. It seems to be a fact of behavior, > that the competition is worst where the food supply is great: > excitement builds on the discovery of a rich resource. For example, > I never see ducks squabbling and fighting quite as much as when > being fed with abundant corn. It may be a case of a super-normal > stimulus. > > As some readers have said, we seem to be taking sides here in > condemning the chipmunk by calling him “murderous.” Of course, it > is applying human terms to animals, and the tongue-in-cheek element > is missed in email messages. Nonetheless, people generally > sympathize with certain animals over others. Thus everyone loves > dolphins, and we feel bad about their being occasionally taken in > tuna nets. No one seems to feel as sorry for the tuna, because it > doesn't squeak appealingly, and do tricks at Marine World. People > may lament about the dolphins over a lunch of tuna sandwich! > > I actually like chipmunks, but it is perfectly proper to manage > one’s local wildlife, just as is done in all parks and reserves, and > is inevitable on the Earth as a whole. Almost everyone traps mice > which get into human houses. I have live-trapped red squirrels > which had found their way indoors, and deported them far away, into > the woods. It was important to get the invaders out of the house, > and prevent their spreading to their friends the secret of their way > in (which cost me deep in the purse to find and correct). > > When I snap-trap a nice Deer Mouse, it is true that its young may > starve and die. It is unavoidable, but little worse than the fate > of almost all wild animals. Dying of starvation in a comfortable > nest might be preferable to being torn apart by a predator, which is > the ultimate fate of almost all mammals, even predators themselves. > Even old lions are abandoned by the pride, and fall prey to hyenas. > In the African bushveld, perhaps only elephants (and possibly > hippos) have a chance of dying of old age without being killed and > eaten by predators. > > Because I am so ridiculously soft-hearted, and anthropomorphise even > mice, I have been known to transport live-trapped mice out of the > neighborhood, thereby using fuel, and crowding the mouse population, > spreading their diseases, causing muscine territorial conflicts, and > perhaps helping them into some other human's abode. The mice I > treat so generously probably get eaten by a predator, anyway. > > Now back to the Nuthatches: a nestbox mounted on a piece of metal > electrical conduit, well greased, will probably be predator-proof. > Some people put a metal cone on the conduit to deter climbers. > > > On 18 May 2010, at 1:53 AM, Steve Shaw wrote: > >> Hi Paul, >> Regarding putting up a nest box like you say below, what is the >> nature of a 'predator guard' that a chipmunk (or a squirrel) can't >> get by, but a small bird can? Please describe, sounds useful. >> Steve >> >> On 17-May-10, at 5:21 PM, Paul S. Boyer wrote: >> >>> In the case of the grieving Nuthatches, please tell your friend >>> not to plug the hole!! The birds may try again this season. He >>> could put out a trap for the murderous Chipmunk (with peanut >>> butter for bait). >>> >>> Also, tell him to put up a nest box with a predator guard. >>> Nuthatches and other cavity-nesters will use nest boxes. >>> >>> >> >
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