June

Nesting Birds

While the excitement of spring transformations may have waned, and migratory birds may have passed through our midst to nest in further-north climes, it’s heartening to know that many bird species do spend summer months breeding and nesting in Wisconsin. There’s few greater childhood thrills than finding a bird’s nest filled with eggs – and many scientists share this enthusiasm. Bird nests and their contents can tell us a lot about the health of the bird species, as well as the health of the surrounding environment. One study conducted by the US Geological Survey’s Upper Midwest Environmental Sciences Center uses data collected from tree swallow nests to determine the presence of toxic chemicals in nearby lakebed sediment. Since the tree swallow’s main diet consists of insects that spend part of their life cycle in murky lake bottoms (dragonflies, damselflies, mayflies, etc.), their health and that of their eggs and chicks can be directly impacted by chemical build up in the sediment. (Find more details on this study and others on Nature.com.)

Avian research and conservation is important enough that some scientific researchers are asking people like you to seek out nests and report your findings. The Cornell Lab of Ornithology has developed Nest Watch, a citizen science monitoring program that invites participants to take an online test to confirm basic knowledge, seek out an active nest, make weekly observations, and report your findings online. If you’re not sure of the nest-owner’s species, Cornell provides an interactive searchable profile of common nesting birds that filters by region, habitat, nest type, and where the nest is found (ground, cliff, birdhouse, bush, etc.). It’s beautifully done and can be used even if you’re not acting as citizen scientist, but as casual observer.

Scientists, conservationists, and casual observers alike often use photo documentation of nesting material and egg characteristics to determine the inhabitant of a nest. Sialis.org (Sialis is the latin or species name for the Eastern Bluebird) provides a photographic chart of nests, eggs, nestlings, and adults for over thirty birds (and mammals) known to use cavity nest boxes. These type of nest boxes, developed to help with Bluebird conservation efforts, are found at many parks and trailways (including many Nature Net sites). I was recently introduced to the Gilberston PVC Tube Bluebird Nest Box. Though this style of Bluebird box was introduced in the 1990s, it uses an updated monitoring system: the smartphone camera. Here’s a snapshot I took of a box at the Aldo Leopold Nature Center on June 2nd.

Tree Swallow eggs at Aldo Leopold Nature Center

This was taken by placing the camera corner of the smartphone into the entry hole. One quick click is less invasive than opening the box to make observations. If you want to learn more about building cavity nesting boxes and monitoring the residents of said boxes, visit the Bluebird Restoration Association of Wisconsin (BRAW) for details and resources.

If you go out to observe nests this season, consider these tips for finding them from Smithsonian Migratory Bird Center. They suggest following the female to areas she seems to prefer, looking for nests under construction – particularly in the early part of the day – and watching for the frantic behavior of a female bird (who is feeding quickly while leaving her nest unattended) and following her back to the nest. Think you found an abandoned nest? The best advice from Cornell is to leave it untouched. Raising an egg to maturation takes precise temperature and humidity control.

If you’re not interested in becoming a citizen scientist, perhaps helping to build a bird friendly community with inspiration from the Audubon Society is more your speed. Or, maybe observing an on-line nest webcam is right for you – just as it was for thousands of viewers who watched two Bald Eagles hatch this spring in Pittsburg. The now famous duo are about to fledge as onlookers watch and chat out updates. Listen to the below NPR story or view the webcam here.

And…check out these two bird adventurers! Following the 3,500 Pacific migratory flyway from San Diego, California to Anchorage, Alaska, the “BirdTrippers” shared their “incredible story of migrating birds and the communities with which they intersect” as a way of celebrating the Centennial of the first Migratory Bird Treaty. This treaty is deemed “the cornerstone of international efforts to conserve birds that know no border.” Catch up on their story on Facebook.

To Do This Month:

Join the Wisconsin Society for Ornithology in Atlas Opening Weekend celebrations across the state. Find out more about the Wisconsin Breeding Bird Atlas below and how you can join the fun.

Build your own Bluebird box with plans from BRAW.

Visit Cherokee Marsh to observe the abundance of wildlife, especially nesting birds.

Explore Teal Pond on a guided hike in the UW Arboretum Sunday, June 12th. Celebrate the summer season at Summer Palooza is this Saturday at the Madison Children’s Museum – check out the music, games and more from 10am to 2pm. Soak in the smells at Herb Garden Night at Community GroundWorks at Troy Gardens on Wednesday the 15th, or join the Summer Solstice night walk at the Arboretum on the 20th.

There’s still time to sign up for Summer Camps at many Nature Net sites – and don’t forget to get your weekly dose of Vitamin N!

Cherokee Marsh

June Events

Our Favorite Nesting Bird Books

Bird Nest Craft

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