Hi Diann; Sure I don't mind, first I found a few natural nests over the
years to get an idea of what these critters liked! Next I collected several
pieces of different kinds of bark and attached them to different kinds of
trees in different positions i.e., upper portion closed; side facing south
closed; etc., etc. In some I placed nesting material and some I didn't. I
collected nesting material close by sometimes so I could observe their
behavior. Anyway, what seemed to attract the most attention was relatively
thin bark, as opposed to real thick Doug Fir, for example, but not always.
The tree, itself should be relatively smooth, but my Hemlock was not. A dead
tree does work better, however. I used unbleached cotton string so as not to
introduce any undesireable chemicals into the habitat, to attach the bark,
but you can pick your own method. I tried several different locations until
one day I got some shoppers. It was cool to watch them act they had found a
secret place all on their own.








At 10:08 PM 06/30/99 -0700, you wrote:
>Hi, Darryl
>
>I'd like to know how you did the bark-to-tree "nests." Not being the
>handiest, could you explain in a little detail what you did? Perhaps
>others on Tweeters might like to know, too. I have lots of pieces of bark
>and many, many trees. What size pieces, how to attach, etc. If you have
>time, it would be appreciated.
>
>Cheers, Diann
>
>>
>
W.Darryl Thompson