Subject: [Tweeters] disturbance from checking nest boxes?
Date: May 2 09:21:13 2007
From: Robin W Baird - RWBaird at cascadiaresearch.org


Hello all,

We have 7 nest boxes on or around our property currently occupied by Black-capped and Chestnut-backed Chickadees, Tree Swallows and Violet-Green Swallows (and possibly a House Wren). I'm wondering how susceptible these species are to disturbance associated with checking the status of these nests? Last year we did not check any of the nest boxes or remove nesting material between clutches, and had two nests that failed (unhatched eggs, one each of tree swallows and black-capped chickadees), I think during the second clutch of the season in both cases. I would like to remove nesting material once chicks are fledged to reduce mites, but don't want to disturb the birds.

We had our first Evening Grosbeaks (one male, one female) and Black-headed Grosbeaks of the year yesterday.

Thanks very much,

Robin
Olympia, WA
rwbaird (at) cascadiaresearch.org