How to Properly Check Boxes

With Eastern Bluebirds now starting to build their nests, undoubtingly all other cavity nesters are bond to start their nests and I feel I need to explain to members of the project what to do if you are to check a bird box. So here we go!

North American Cavity Nesters are Protected Under the MBTA

All native species cavity and non-cavity nesters included are all protected under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act of 1917 in the US and the Migratory Birds Convention Act in Canada. All native species within these realms are protected under these laws. Specifically, the acts prohibits a person from possessing, importing, exporting, transporting, selling, purchasing any bird, bird parts, nests or eggs without proper permits. In a nutshell, that means you can't even touch a bird's nest without proper permits and any kind of disturbance is a violation of the law. And for me and in this project, if anyone is suspected of harmful behavior towards a nest will be contacted privately, unless otherwise stated that you have permits required to do so.

Follow the Code of Conduct

The Code of Conduct is a list provided by Cornell's NestWatch program to study nesting birds. These rules should be strictly followed which is why I require members to read the Code of Conduct before joining the project. This is a complete honesty requirement so I really hope you read it. If not, this list includes:

  • Learn about birds nesting behavior before checking the nest
  • Plan and prepare your visit
  • Collect data carefully
  • Do not check in early morning
  • Avoid checking nests in first days of incubation
  • Do not approach nest nearing fledgling date
  • Do not check during bad weather
  • Do not check nests at or after dusk
  • Search carefully
  • Be wary of nest predators
  • Minimize nest disturbance
  • Do not handle nestlings, eggs or nest material
  • Don't leave a dead-end trail
  • Respect Private Land
  • Follow MTBA and MTCA laws

Further reading at https://nestwatch.org/learn/how-to-nestwatch/code-of-conduct/

Checking Nest Boxes

As long as you follow the guidelines up here, checking a box will not violate the MTBA and MTCA laws. However, I've acquire a few tips to help minimize disturbance to the nest and increase the chances of nest success while still being able to check on the box. Here's is my series of rules:

  1. Obtain permission to check boxes. If you see boxes you want to check, ALWAYS get permission from the land owner beforehand.
  2. Only check nest boxes with Cornell's hinged door design, as soon in the last page of the following link. I have seen some funky nests in my time and one time I didn't realize a box I checked was a hooked bottom not a hinged side. When the bottom flew down I thought I killed some nestlings but the result was much more gruesome (second link) and from that moment on, I told myself if it didn't have that distinct hinged side or door, don't check it.

https://nestwatch.org/learn/all-about-birdhouses/features-of-a-good-birdhouse/
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/25361229

  1. Tap the box before opening. It's a lot less stressful for mothers to have the box tapped than immediate opening. Nothing hard, just two very gentle taps to the side and allow room for the mother to fly out if she wants to. Remember not all will fly out.
  2. Time. Once you tap the box, the clock is on. You have 60 SECONDS to do your visit.
  3. Photograph and Go. For me, the most effective way to check the nest is just don't look into the box. I have my photo ready as soon as I get out of the car and when I open the box, I just snap and go without looking into. This makes the 60 second visit much quicker and minimizes disturbance.
  4. Remember to lock the box back up. Know that Boy Scout saying, "Leave No Trace"? That's what you should do when you check a box. Leave the box the way you saw it. Lock the hinged door back up, always!
  5. Never run. Sudden motions can scare mothers or chicks. Never run to the box or away from the box.
  6. Endoscopes are lifesavers. Endoscopes is a cord with a tiny camera at the end. Just place the camera into the box enough to see what's in it with a low LED setting and behold, you don't even have to open the box. Cheap ones can be bought online and there's a brand called Lizard Cam from As Seen on TV which is actually pretty decent.
  7. Respect parents wises. If the parents squawk at you or even attack you, finish the visit. Lock up the box and leave.

Final Words

Please be considerate of nest boxes, cavity nester populations have declined by 25% in the last 50 years so we need to take special precautions in checking boxes. And personally, I would leave the box alone if it means the safety of the parents. Thank you for reading and good luck in the 2020 breeding season.

Publicado el domingo, 22 de marzo de 2020 a las 06:11 PM por birdwhisperer birdwhisperer

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