Kristopher’s Pet Blog

Birds are great additions to your backyard. Putting up bird houses is an excellent way to attract them. However, not all birds opt to nest in bird houses. As it is, these cavity-dwellers also have their own specifications about the kind of house they like. These are minor measurements or feature issues but they are important for the birds. However, there are general guidelines in building these houses.

First, it is important to identify the species of birds that visit your backyard. It is also necessary to distinguish which are the cavity-dwellers from the tree and burrow dwellers. Common cavity-dwellers are wrens, chickadees, bluebirds, and flickers. Choose one you like best and focus your bird house design on it. Even if the idea of building multiple bird houses appeal to you, refrain from doing so because birds are territorial animals.

Second, determine the required dimensions of your chosen bird. Forget asking the birds for these because you”ll get no answers. Dimensions of bird houses include entrance-hole, height, depth, and floor size. Smaller birds like wren and chickadees usually prefer 4×4 floor size and a reasonable 8″ depth. Consult a bird book or the internet for information regarding the measurements of your bird house.

Third, it is better to use untreated wood and lumber for bird houses. Aside from mimicking the birds” natural habitat, natural wood also minimizes risks of poisoning and overheating. Treated and processed wood like plywood contains preservatives like formaldehyde, which poses serious health hazards to your feathered friends. Lumber that is classified as pressure-treated often contain toxic chemicals which can poison the nesting birds. Paint is also a no-no. Chipping paint can be mistaken by the bird for food and eat it. Also, metals and plastics are not suitable for building avian shelters since they are both prone to overheating. You would want to provide the birds shelter, not an outdoor oven.

Fourth, in drafting or designing a plan for your bird houses, it is important to consider the birds” safety against the elements and predators. It is also preferable that the roofs extend over the sides and front. Perches are not really necessary since cavity-dwellers do not perch. Consider drainage and ventilation needs. Drill small holes on the floor but make sure that these are smaller than the bird’’s feet. These holes are also best placed on corners to help in draining water out in case of rain. Baby birds drown easily and a bit of collected rainwater in their shelter is enough to send them to their deaths. Aside from the relatively larger entrance holes, place ventilation holes along the house’’s walls or back. These let heat escape to keep the structure comfortably cool. Placing the bird house atop a pole is a good way to discourage predators like cats and raccoons.

Fifth, maintenance and cleanliness are also factors in bird house house Unkempt bird houses are causes of diseases, according to experts. To help you in maintaining cleanliness in the bird house, add a backdoor. This way, you can easily remove unused nest and disinfect the vacated house. Droppings and other dirt also contribute to the contamination and cleaning these out limits risks of infecting other birds.

With these tips, you are on your way to designing and building your own bird houses. Help the birds by treating these houses as if you live there. Considering the birds” safety in your bird houses ensure you of longer years with your feathered friends.
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Bird watching has become a extremely popular hobby. There are actually several clubs and organizations that you can join and one place where you’ll would like to set out to see some species is in Maine.

One of your first stops could possibly be by the great North Woods region where it would like possible to view the Boreal Chickadees, Gray Jays, Olive-sided Flycatchers as well as the Spruce Grouse.

Should you happen to travel by Maine’s Atlantic coast, you are able to see hundreds of puffins gathered around Machias Seal Island. Hopping tour guide, you can disembark out of your boat and get within 4 feet of these birds. Should you happen to go to this place throughout the migration season, it is possible for you to to view migrating Arctic Terns.

Another excellent spot is in Bangor that is thought to be one of the best bird watching spot in Maine. An example of this is the Sunkhaze Meadows National Wildlife Refuge. Here, it is possible to view the Eastern Phoebes, the Pine and Palm Warblers not to mention the Yellow bellied Sapsuckers. These are located in other parks along this area and across the riversides. Most of these bird varieties not only dwell in the in their natural habitat they can also be observed regularly in your back yard if you have the proper set of birdhouse kits.

There’s also the Scarborough Marsh that happens to be a 3100 acre estuary and used by many birds as a breeding, feeding and resting ground. You will surely get to see lots of shorebirds here nourishing the marsh.

Other birds that you’ll see in Maine include the Bald Eagle, Barn Swallows, Black Ducks, the Canadian geese, common loons, Flickers, Golden eye Ducks, Grosbeaks, Hummingbirds, Kingfishers, Mergansers, Ornomants, Seagulls and Woodpeckers.

Before you go off bird watching in Maine, be sure your equipment with you including a map to ensure you know how to find your way back If you get lost. If possible, take a few pictures so you can share this with others if you get back home.

You’re able to even report what birds you have seen and submit these photos online because although some species are common in these parts, you can find some rare finds that will surely be enjoyed by fellow hobbyists.

Acadia National Park is another place to go away bird watching. Consistent with the National Park Service, there have been 338 bird species which have been recorded. Through the years, this number has grown and you may just encounter one among 23 species of warblers that breed in this park.

As a result of their seclude location, other birds have also used this as their nesting habitat namely the herons, harlequin ducks and purple sandpipers.

If in case you have a chance, don’t forget to go to the Thorncrag Nature Sanctuary in Lewiston. It is a 357 acre wildlife preserve that overlooks the town surrounded on three sides by both suburban and urban development. This place is needed for schools and professionals for research which makes this open to anyone who wants to be close to nature.

For those that desire more information about bird watching in Maine, you can get in touch with the Audubon Chapters in Maine, the Mid Coast Audubon Society, the York County Audubon Society, the Nature Conservancy or the Stanton Bird Club. They are always on the lookout for brand new members that share a similar fascination with our feathered friends and will do whatever it takes to protect those that are endangered.

If you would like to watch birds except you cant go away and go to one of these wonderful places listed above you may want to think about purchasing a simple birdhouse kit and setting it up in your very own back yard.