Jeff Steele, Writer/Photographer

February 14 thru 21  marks National Nestbox Week.  What makes thisnl event important is the impact and results that have been achieved in our recent past.

Lots of species have been lost forever.  Far to many are threatened and on the brink being extinct.  Sadly the majority of our avian friends are rapidly declining in numbers.

Much of the dilema has been cause by human encroachment and our mismangement of our worlds resources.  While this is all grim and perhaps not surprising news.  We do owe it to ourselves, our future generations, to our feathered friends, and to our planet, to so better.

Since 1970 the studies and tracking of birds have shown that almost 3 Billion birds have been lost.  However, taking a look at conservation efforts and a human shift in mentality when it comes to Waterfoul managment we can see a more positive cae study.  One where over 15 Million Waterfoul have been regained.

Programs such as The Nature Conservency and Ducks Unlimited have played a huge role in helping to preserve areas of habitat, and to make much needed Wildlife managment changes.  Changes such as sitting specific seasons on harvesting ducks and geese.  Reducing and preventing the use of lead shot in ammunition, which creates a toxicity danger to most species including humans. Thus the ban on lead based products like paint.

The list and effort it has taken to overcome what was once taking Waterfoul to extinction.  Have now halted and began to turn the effects around.  But it doesn’t stop with just Waterfoul.  As mentioned before, the majority of birds need our help and similar efforts from us to give them this same positive outlook.

That brings us to todays topic.  National Nestbox Week exists for our awareness, educatuon and to take action on helpong bird populations.  If each household would put up one nestbox and if each of those experienced one successful nesting attempt by birds this year.  We could halt the decline in many species and reverse the damaged populations greatly in just a few short years.  Instead of decades or maybe even never.

If you are a DIYer then building a nestbox is a worthwhile project.  Plans and videos are plentiful on the Internet, books and publications are another resource.  Mobile apps also include lots of ways to select, build, place and manage a nestbox.

Purchasing is another option and usually is easy and fast way to get a nestbox placed for use. Visit any number of retail stores and you’ll likely find a suitable nestbox.

Placement of a nestbox at this time of year is excellent. Timing is another reason for National Nestbox Week.  Birds select their nests carefully and well ahead of the  day they will lay their eggs.  By placing nestboxs out now.  It will give mating pairs time to discover, select, and prepare the nestbox for use.  

Nextboxes not only provide a place for birds to create offspring, but also, many birds will continue to use the nestbox as protection from elements like, weather, winds, predators.  The nestbox essentially becomes a bird house, therefore once itnis placed, it should be keptt available for use.

A nestbox maybe used repeatedly over the course of a single year to raise offspring or for a single nest attempt.  Many times the nestbox is selected again year after year.

The pleasure of watching birds and seeing new birdlife begin is just around the corner if you will put out a nestbox this week.

Another topic coming soon. 

Happy birding.