FreeLists / tn-bird / [tn-bird] Re: Common birds in our yard right now

[John Devereux Joslin <jdjoslin@xxxxxxxxx>]

The literature I have suggests a diameter of 2 1/2 to 3 inches.  Extension info
on bluebird house building can be obtained from:
    North American Bluebird Society
    Box 6265
    Silver Spring, MD 20906
Doubtless there are also many local sources of information.

Dev Joslin
Oak Ridge, TN

stephenson wrote:

> Canyou remind me of the right size hole for bluebird boxes? Johelen
> Stephenson
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: John Devereux Joslin <jdjoslin@xxxxxxxxx>
> To: <tn-bird@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
> Sent: Saturday, June 29, 2002 8:07 AM
> Subject: [tn-bird] Re: Common birds in our yard right now
>
> >
> > The decline in both bluebirds and chickadees suggests a lack of ideal
> > nesting
> > cavities.  As I am sure you are aware, both species require cavities, so
> > maybe
> > some new bird houses with right-sized holes along your fence rows is
> > needed?  Both species like to use the same sized bird houses for
> > nesting.  Or maybe some other species is competing with them for their
> > nest holes?  Forgive me if I am stating the obvious.
> >
> > Dev Joslin
> > Oak Ridge, TN
> >
> > FINCH64@xxxxxxx wrote:
> >
> > > Hi all:
> > >
> > > I finally positively ID'ed a Summer Tanager this morning so I can add it
> to
> > > the list of what we have here. I have been hearing that "pit-i-tuck"
> call for
> > > some time and have seen the birds flying quickly from tree to tree. But
> they
> > > are mostly elusive - hiding within the branches. This morning I heard
> that
> > > call and I was at the ready. It was a male and I was sitting on the
> screen
> > > porch. He was sitting on top of it! Right on top of the drain spout and
> in
> > > the mock grape vines which cover that side of the porch. I quickly went
> > > outside and there he was posing as if for a picture. Then he started his
> dawn
> > > song. He let me have a good look at him and then he flew off to continue
> > > singing his song elsewhere.
> > >
> > > These are birds which I either commonly see and/or hear on our property
> at
> > > this time of year (and for the last several months): Indigo Bunting,
> Northern
> > > Cardinal, Chuck-will's-widow, Mourning Dove, House Finch (nesting),
> American
> > > Goldfinch, Common Grackle, Ruby-throated Hummingbird, Blue Jay, Northern
> > > Mockingbird, Common Nighthawk, American Robin, Chimney Swift, Summer
> Tanager,
> > > Tufted Titmouse, Eastern Towhee, Turkey Vulture, Red-bellied Woodpecker,
> > > Eastern Wood-Peewee, Carolina Wren (saved a fledgling from our dog and
> > > returned it (hopefully successfully) to its parents last Saturday).
> > >
> > > I have noticed a considerable decline this year in Eastern Bluebird and
> > > Carolina Chickadee. Also I have not seen or heard a Brown-headed Cowbird
> in
> > > at least 2 years (formerly very common in our yard). Maybe there is a
> > > connection between the lack of cowbirds and the arrival of the Summer
> > > Tanager? Also the House Finch comes back to nest here for the last
> couple of
> > > years.
> > >
> > > This is not on our property but just up the road is Stewarts Creek and I
> > > noticed Red-winged Blackbirds for the first time this year. Also for the
> > > first time earlier this month we had a Northern Bobwhite on our property
> > > calling continuously for at least a half hour.
> > >
> > > It's also interesting to watch the feral Chickens (they just showed up
> one
> > > day and have multiplied since then - they roost in the trees at night)
> and
> > > the one Guineafowl (a male) which we purchased. The guineafowl competes
> with
> > > the roosters for hens! I guess he doesn't realize they aren't even in
> the
> > > same family! lol But that doesn't stop him from chasing and sometimes
> > > half-killing roosters who try to invade his 'harem.'
> > >
> > > Anyone is welcome to come and bird our property. Please contact me
> privately
> > > to make arrangements. We have about 21 acres subdivided into 4 lots. All
> but
> > > one have been developed with residences - all family. If you look at a
> topo
> > > map we are on Burnt Knob Road just east of Hwy 102 (Almaville Road) in
> > > Rutherford County. Our property sits between Stewart Creek and Gibbs
> Knob. We
> > > have a good amount of woods, fence rows with lots of trees and a very
> long
> > > drive that has lots of tall grass and woods on the side. That is a very
> good
> > > place to look for birds. There are even some junk piles here and there
> > > including some old junk cars so I will be on the lookout for Bewick's Wr
> ens.
> > >
> > > Barry Jernigan
> > > finch64@xxxxxxx
> > > Murfreesboro, TN
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> >     TN-Bird Net Owner: Wallace Coffey, Bristol, TN
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>
> =================NOTES TO SUBSCRIBER=====================
>
> The TN-Bird Net requires you to sign your messages with
> first and last name, city (town) and state abbreviation.
> -----------------------------------------------------
> To post to this mailing list, simply send email to:
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> -----------------------------------------------------
> To unsubscribe, send email to:
> tn-bird-request@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
> with 'unsubscribe' in the Subject field.
> * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
> Topographical Maps located at http://topozone.com/find.asp
> * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
>      Visit the Tennessee Ornithological Society
>           web site at http://www.tnbirds.org
> * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
>     TN-Bird Net Owner: Wallace Coffey, Bristol, TN
>         jwcoffey@xxxxxxxxxx      (423) 764-3958
> =========================================================



=================NOTES TO SUBSCRIBER=====================

The TN-Bird Net requires you to sign your messages with
first and last name, city (town) and state abbreviation.
-----------------------------------------------------
To post to this mailing list, simply send email to:
tn-bird@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx
----------------------------------------------------- 
To unsubscribe, send email to:
tn-bird-request@xxxxxxxxxxxxx 
with 'unsubscribe' in the Subject field.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Topographical Maps located at http://topozone.com/find.asp
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
     Visit the Tennessee Ornithological Society
          web site at http://www.tnbirds.org
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
    TN-Bird Net Owner: Wallace Coffey, Bristol, TN
        jwcoffey@xxxxxxxxxx      (423) 764-3958
=========================================================