Birding-a Q&A on birds-5/5/97--Birding Q&A
From the Minnesota Ornithologists’ Union
Q: I would like to know why birds, especially robins, keep building nests on the light fixture outside my front door. I keep tearing the nest down. The birds keep rebuilding. There are trees in my yard. Why do they use the light fixture?
A: The birds probably found your light fixture to be the most suitable site for their nest. The fixture might appear to be better protected from predators, notably racoons and cats, than a tree would be. . Another possibility is that there might be rival birds already nesting in your trees.
Q: How can I keep grackles from nesting in the pine trees in our yard? These birds make a real mess and are very noisy.
A: Grackles tend to nest high in trees, and can be very persistent. We have no good solution. You can't shoot the birds, and coniferous trees are hard to climb if you wish to place items to frighten or distract the grackles, such as balloons. Grackles are among those opportunistic bird species which do very well in a city landscape.
Q: Why are killdeer protected by federal law?
A: All migratory nongame birds are protected. Prior to enactment of federal legislation establishing such protection, some species were reduced to the brink of extinction by market hunting and so-called sport shooting. Species deemed suitable for the pot and frying pan legally can be taken during established seasons. Limits are set to control the number killed and retain a viable population level.
Q: In answering a recent question on bluebird houses, you suggest using a "Peterson house." What kind of house is that, and where can I get plans?
A:The Peterson bluebird house is a particular design that enhances survival of these birds. Design standards concern entrance hole size, interior dimensions, slant of the roof and the inset of the floor. Carroll Henderson's book "Woodworking for Wildlife" has Peterson bluebird house plans.
Q: We have a nest house in our yard. Chickadees used it last summer, raising two broods. They used it this past winter for shelter. We have not seen nesting activity in the house this spring. Is it necessary to clean the house for reuse? Is it too late now?
A: It is probably a good idea to clean out the house each fall. If you clean the house now you have a chance to attract birds attempting to raise a second, late-season brood. It certainly couldn't hurt to give it a try.
Q: I live in a northern Twin Cities suburb. I will have a house guest in July who wants to see Minnesota birds. Where are good places in our end of the metro area to do this?
A: Long Lake Regional Park in New Brighton and Springbrook Nature Center in Fridley are good for sighting woods birds and migrants. The Coon Rapids dam in Coon Rapids is good for seeing wood-edge species and water birds. Grass Lake Regional Park in Shoreview is good for watching water birds and species that like lake edges. Bunker Hills Regional Park in Blaine is good for spotting woods and sandy-dune birds; it has whippoorwills (they sing at dusk and after dark).
Q: I'm wondering about the plant buckthorn. We have much of it in our yard, and I've been cutting it, even though it has fruit that birds eat. Should I save it for the birds or cut it?
A: Buckthorn is an exotic plant not native to Minnesota. While birds will eat its berries, we suggest you cut it out completely. Buckthorn spreads readily, and makes life difficult for native species.
--This column is prepared by Minnesota Ornithologists' Union (MOU) members Jim Williams, an editor of the organization's newsletter, "Minnesota Birding," and Tony Hertzel, editor of its journal, "The Loon." For membership information, MOU, write Elizabeth Bell, 5868 Pioneer Rd. S., St. Paul Park MN 55071.
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