2000 FACTS

Field Notes | American Birding Association Many of you may feel that you cannot possibly do everything described so far—or, at the very least, that you cannot do it all at once. Begin with a few manageable projects, such as installing a properly designed nest box for chickadees or bluebirds, putting up a well-sited bat house, or maintaining a couple of clean bird feeders. Once these features are being used successfully, you can gradually expand your efforts. The next step might be replacing part of your lawn with native plants or creating a small, shallow wildlife pond. Eventually, however, you may want to go even further and begin studying what actually happens in your yard. Keeping careful records of the wildlife that visits your property—and examining the information you collect—can be surprisingly rewarding. After all, few professional researchers will spend more time observing your particular patch of habitat than you c...

For decades, people have installed nest boxes to give birds safe places to raise their young. These structures help make up for the mature trees, standing deadwood, and natural cavities that have disappeared from many neighborhoods and managed landscapes. And, of course, they also let us enjoy watching wildlife close to home. Just as a well-maintained feeder can provide extra food when natural resources are scarce, a properly designed nest box can help species affected by habitat loss. It offers chickadees, bluebirds, wrens, Tree Swallows, and other cavity-nesting birds a breeding site that might otherwise be unavailable. Nest boxes also provide wonderful opportunities for environmental education. Building one with children, choosing an appropriate location, and observing its occupants year after year can create a lasting connection with nature. The project becomes even more meaningful when children learn that different species require differe...