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Bluebirds on the Golf Course (Part 1)Date: Sat, 05 Feb 2000 01:39:55 -0500 Wendy and others interested in golf course nestbox trail work, I have had about 4 years of work on mostly country clubs, and several public courses and putting up trails of boxes. I have had success with the Eastern Bluebird, Tree Swallow, Tufted Titmouse, House Wren, Carolina Chickadee and Purple Martins. I have begun to put housing in place for the American Kestrel, Common Flicker, Eastern Screech Owl, Prothonatory Warbler and Great Crested Flycatcher. I have been almost every other week, some seasons on several of the courses, personally monitoring, banding and helping to conduct research with Ohio Wesleyan University on bacteria studies for 2 years. Research was also done by a grad student at Ohio State University studying Tufted Titmice using mist nets. DNA fingerprinting was done by OSU on other sites. I have also conducted programs at such golf courses. I have also fostered EABL young from Ohio Wildlife Center to golf courses with success. Only once did I have a fatality but the young was attacked by a house sparrow. Speaking of house sparrows, I do fight them in some cases on the courses and have had my share of problems. But I have persevered to the success of beneficial species! Recovering accipitors at the wildlife center love a HOSP or 2. I'm sensitive to the monitor and teach passive as well as agressive sparrow control. Each course has its own personality and sets of problems and successes. I sometimes find an employee to monitor and in other cases I find friends or supporters in my 'bluebird army' to assist with the cause. They join up, sign on the 'line' and 'swear in' to not let house sparrows fledge. I always try to see that they have a back up to cover if they are absent. I am about to start my 5th season at Wedgewood Country Club in Powell, Ohio. This year will be my 4th at Safari Golf Course at the Columbus Zoo, Powell, Ohio. I went to the zoo 4 years ago to ask them to plug up or take down nestboxes at their North American Exhibit. They were house sparrow machines and presented the wrong Message to the public. They listened and appreciated the help. They asked me to help them at the zoo golf course with boxes that needed to be replaced. My perseverence paid off when I wrote a $4000.00 grant under their Columbus Zoo Conservation Fund and redid their whole course. Much more was done with the money from the grant in the north west area of Columbus. I did this particular project with the help of a local high school Boy Scout, Andy Betts, who needed an Eagle project. He and his parents are still talking about what they learned along the way. Andy gave me a wonderful photo journal of the project. Let me know what questions you might have about golf course trail work. If I don't have an answer I'll see what I can find out. Because of the work I've done on golf courses and other 'grassland spaces', I have been asked tospeak at the Ohio Division of Wildlife's, Wildlife Diversity conference this March. I have had success placing boxes at cemetaries, schools, police stations, parks and business 'lawns'. Not to mention neighborhood homes and farms and general green spaces. I've also addressed the local Golf Course Supervisors at 2 large meetings. In case you are wondering, I have not had a fatality due to chemicals used on the courses. Believe me, the supervisors are trying to make sure their own kind is protected as well as the 'avian guests' on the courses. The 2 times I have had chemical fatalities it has been at parks along farmers fields during spring spraying. I also had some problems one summer from a mosquito spraying expedition in a neighborhood where Tree Swallows were nesting. Hope this helps and will await questions. I am on the digest form and sometimes need a day or 2 to get a posting turned around. Azure trails...
Date: Sat, 5 Feb 2000 05:46:18 -0600 I missed Wendy's original question about golf course trails, but I'll second a couple of ideas from Darlene Sillick's post. ... I work on the University of Iowa's Finkbine golf course and have maintained a bluebird/chickadee trail of a dozen houses there for the past eight years. I could probably increase the density of the housing since we have well over three hundred acres, but I want to keep the trail fairly unobstrusive visually. I use Gilbertson houses on conduit mounts, so I can easily move them - either to accomodate golf course or bird needs. Our usual fledge numbers are around 30-50 bluebirds and 12-20 chickadees. ... I had one significant dieback in all the nestboxes in 1995. I didn't send in any of the dead for a chemical analysis (primarily because I didn't catch it until a few days after it happened and serious decomposition had taken place), but the dieback did not coincide with any significant chemical application we had done. Subsequently, I saw an article by Louise Chambers in the Purple Martin Update on martin deaths that summer due to avian botulism and aspergillosis, that made me suspect these as the possible culprits. But I still don't really know. I would caution anyone considering a golf course trail to locate houses well-away from tees and greens. These are always the places of the heaviest chemical applications (although lots of courses use plenty of chemicals on fairways, too). And I guess that I would disagree with Darlene's benigncharacterization of most golf course managers. My own characterization would be that they are under desperate pressure (the industry is very competitive) to produce "good grass" and they will try to do that by whatever means necessary. Thus they fall under very heavy sales pressure from the chemical interests, although over the last decade there has been a countervailing pressure from forces concerned about the environment. Jim Walters james-walters"at"uiowa.edu
Date: Fri, 4 Feb 2000 00:11:03 -0800 Greetings all from cloudy Rescue, California. THANK YOU! to all for your many responses to my questions regarding setting up a BB trail on a golf course. Still sorting through all the information, but just wanted to keep you all posted. Dean, you are absolutely right about the wealth of knowledge, and the wonderful willingness to share by folks on this ListServ. I've begun a new section in my binder entitled "golf courses" and have included several of the valuable posts that I've received. First and foremost - I am well aware of the potential problems with HOSPs. While I have never personally dealt with them in my 3 nestboxes on my property, I will have no real problems dealing with them when the situation arises. I will be monitoring the course weekly, and will hopefully be able to get rid of nest and/or eggs before any HOSP nestlings find their way into my boxes. But, if need be, I will "take care of the situation" (for any of you who saw the movie "The Shining", you'll know what "taking care" means). I don't relish the thought of destroying any living thing, but will certainly do so if need be. I also like Darlene Sillick's suggestion of enlisting the help of some of the locals and golf course personnel. These folks are just so NICE. Which brings up another point that James Walters mentioned - that of dealing with the management at the course itself. I am so lucky that the new manager at this course is so very willing to have me "do whatever I want" with regards to setting up a trail. His wife is an avid birder, and they are both quite excited about playing their part in helping to increase the numbers of bluebirds in their area. Again, I must mention that this is a VERY casual course; members are mostly local homeowners who were required to keep this particular greenspace, and did so by turning it into a golf course. The Saturday that Sandra and I were there, we were warned to "be careful" because they were having a Tournament that day and were very busy. I'll bet that we saw less than 35 people on the entire course. If this is busy, going during the week should be great! Concerning the use the chemicals: I guess I just don't worry about it. I realize that this MIGHT be a problem, but Hatch has banded several WEBLs there, as well as other cavity nesters, and it seems not to make a difference. If chemicals were of a major concern, it seems that there wouldn't be so many successful trails on courses. (or successes in suburban back yards, for that matter). There are many oaks and other trees on this course to provide shade and use for mounting boxes, so I can easily stay away from the greens. Again, my hearty thanks to all of you with knowledge to share and the willingness to do so. And as far as more questions from me - you can count on it! At this point I fear that I don't know enough to ask more questions. However, as I learn more, you'll be hearing from me! And keep those responses coming - I'm learning more by the hour! Happy birding... Wendy Guglieri
Date: Sat, 05 Feb 2000 16:21:56 -0500 Hi all! Nice day here in southern New England, with the first day above freezing in weeks! Also, I heared a BB calling from a tree across from my house; he seemed very cheerfull! Thanks for sending one up for me Gary! I would also like to second Haleya's request to keep the Golf Course info comming! I have been monitoring my BB trail here in Harwinton CT for over 12 years now, and the boxes have grown to 200. In our town however, we never had a golf corse, but this spring that will change. A 18 hole golf corse is at this time being built over a farmers land after he sold it to them for over 1 million dollars. You can't blame the farmers, for its a bit more income than selling apples and corn! It also allowed him to buy a house in FL for the winter, and I can see that. Originaly, 40 expensive houses were to be built there, but I guess a golf coarse is better than that, esp for our BBs. Anyway, I will be asking to install boxes there this spring, and can also use any info I need to do so.......I am a bit pissed though with them, for as they graded for the course, they also destroyed many of my boxes I had up when it was a working farm. Two were blowed down with baby BBs in them! I guess if I want permission though, I better overlook this past situation. Hope to hear more on Golf corses...paul from Ct
Date: Sat, 5 Feb 2000 16:36:11 EST Hi Wendy, I have experience with two different golf courses....only a few miles away from one another! The newer course is the one where I monitor, and I have never even seen a house sparrow there. I think I told you about it when we talked on the phone....most of the nestboxes are used, and mostly by WEBL. The other golf course was set up with 9 nestboxes to start....it was house sparrow city!!!!! The poor monitor kicked house sparrows out of one nestbox EVERY WEEK, and it almost always had eggs. The only native species that even nested were one WEBL and one WBNU...the WEBL nest failed (reason unknown...but, blue feathers were found on the ground), and the WBNU fledged 7 or 8. The monitor injured her hand just prior to the 1999 season, and didn't monitor....I couldn't do it for her, and asked that she contact our county coordinator (who helped her put up the boxes) to have the nestboxes removed. I am not sure what happened with that trail last year....I hope the nestboxes were removed. Below are some of the problems encountered: Since her nestboxes were located along fairways, this monitor had a problem with sprinklers hitting the nestboxes, so some had to be relocated to a different side of the tree. I had pointed all of my nestbox entrances away from the fairways, so I never encountered this. I had a couple of irate golfers take out their lack of ability on my nestboxes! I would recommend that you put up your nestboxes up in places that are nowhere near the places where the golfers tee off. In fact, most of mine are hidden in areas that are considered to be part of the "rough." The golf course maintenance never knowingly (to me) caused death due to poisons to my birds, but I did find ground squirrel poison grain stations set up beneath my nestboxes once. Luckily, my nestbox birds feed entirely upon insects during this time of year....but I still worried about one of them entering the PVC for inspection. I would recommend you carry pictures to educate any interested golfers! It may be a good chance to educate a segment of the population we don't normally have much contact with. You could take the Stokes book and maybe some California Bluebird Recovery Program brochures ;o) . I know you will have a great time...watch out for flying golf balls!!! Dee Warenycia (warbler5"at"aol.com)
Date: Sat, 05 Feb 2000 15:14:16 -0800 Linda Violett — Yorba Linda, Calif. That HOSP trail with the sprinkler problems would be a great place to try 2-holed hanging boxes. Others trying out the experimental 2-holers this year should be reporting to the List within a couple a months. Barry Whitney is thinking about building some for a park in his area and has graciously provided construction tips at the following site: http://www.crosswinds.net/~barryw/bluebird/links.htm ...
Date: Sat, 5 Feb 2000 19:52:24 -0500 Wendy, I have a few boxes in a mowed field adjacent to a small privately-owned golf course. Two things to be aware of. Mowing the golf course is extremely important, and I would be leery of placing the posts where they may be hit by the mower. Second (and this happened to me while banding!), watch out for golfers who come over and yell, "What did you just take out of there?!" They knew there were bluebirds in there and they were being protective! :-) Brenda -- Brenda Best The Nature Club of Central New York
Date: Sun, 6 Feb 2000 08:59:54 EST I have enjoyed reading all the posts about bluebirders interaction with golf courses. Very informative. Perhaps it is time to concentrate on a brochure to be printed and placed at the Golf Club or store. Does NABS already have a publication of some sort that members could receive and distribute? Wherever there is a Bluebird trail, there should also be a stack of brochures made available so that the golfers will know what those "bird houses" are for. I suggest that the brochure be made to include Eastern, Western and Mountain bluebirds, a sort-of one size-fits-all approach. I am sure that if the owners of the golf course let you install a bluebird nestbox trail, then surely they would also like to have your brochure, as well. With all the computers being used here on the list, I know someone has a great program to design a very low-cost and informative brochure about Bluebird Conservation on the Golf Course in the United States of America. Not to mention, now NABS has a sign that can be mounted on boxes regarding the Trans Continental Bluebird Trail program which will be launched later this spring. I am not a golfer. BNA Date: Sun, 06 Feb 2000 12:13:32 -0500 HELLO ALL: I HAVE EIGHT B.B. HOUSES ON OUR LOCAL GOLF COURSE,CHECKING EACH TIME I PLAY.IN EACH OF THE LAST FIVE YEARS HAVE FLEEDED 4/6BROODS A YEAR I HAVE NOT HAD ANY PROBLEMS WITH CHEMICALS& WOULD HIGHLY RECOMMEND THIS AREA FOR B.B.N.B. THE ONLY PROBLEM I AM HAVING ARE SPARROWS TAKING OVER BOXS NEAR THE CLUB HOUSE.WOULD ANYONE HAVE ANY RECOMMENDATIONS? (WHAT ABOUT CHANGING TO GILBERTSON TYPE) THANKS FOR LISTING ... Date: Sun, 6 Feb 2000 10:17:34 -0800 Kevin Putman, Yuba City, CA I'll add a couple of things about golf courses. I'll preface by saying that predators are not a big concern on the courses where I have boxes, so I am able to hang boxes on trees. Golf courses often have newsletters that go out to members; if you send in a brief description of what you are doing they may forward the info to members via the newsletter, or they may simply post your letter on the clubhouse bulletin board. The threat from chemicals does seem to be minimal--at least at the 3 courses where I have put boxes. In box placement, I take 3 things into account: a) where are the sprinklers located? I've had success putting boxes on the back side of trees, opposite the sprinklers, or far enough away so that the water comes down as rain (but boxes should be water-resistant). The nest failures I've had were the result of sprinklers that sprayed directly into the vents / entrance hole with great force. Sometimes it is difficult to locate sprinklers, especially in winter, but the course superintendent may be of some assistance here. If not beforehand, you might ask the superintendent to let you know if he sees that you have put a box in a bad location--sometimes portable sprinklers are used. b) always consider the play of the course, the direction that the golf balls are going. I don't avoid Tees and Greens altogether. Just don't put boxes close and down-range of the tees where golf balls are flying with the speed of bullets. If down-range from tees, keep them 100 yards or so away, and on backside of trees or behind a group of trees where there isn't a direct line of fire. You can put boxes behind the tees, but I usually try to put them out of sight, where they can't be readily seen by golfers who are loitering around, waiting to tee off (maybe thisis a mistake as far as promoting bluebirds; it depends on the clientele at the course in question. You may want to put a box or two in plain sight to promote interest in the project). Down fairways, again, I always put boxes on the backside of trees, opposite the direction of play. The backside of a green may appear to be a great location, but consider that golfers often overshoot the green and then have to chip back through trees, etc., so avoid trees that are right at the back edge of the greens. c) the last thing to consider is heat: if it gets hot where you are the boxes will need to be shaded from noon on, at least. This may dictate that boxes be placed on East side of trees, high enough so that the tree's limbs will always shade the box, even late in the afternoon. Juggling these three factors at once, sprinklers, direction of play, and sun, can make it rather challenging to find a spot that satisfies all three requirements at once. I've found that my boxes have all come to meet these requirements sooner or later--if not at the outset, then later, after trial and error. Dick Purvis could tell you that, with his hanging boxes, all of these factors can easily be conquered at once, and this would put a lot more flexibility into the box-hanging process, location-wise. As for monitoring, ask when / what days/times are best , which days/times have the least golf traffic. It can take a LONG time to monitor boxes if you constantly have to wait for golfers to take shots, etc., and wait you must. It's just easier for everyone-- you and the golfers-- if you take this into account. Sometimes, the superintendent has offered me a cart, but I've never asked for one. I just ask if I can take my bicycle across the course, this is usually followed by"okay" or "how about if I get you a cart instead". Of course, I'm always hoping for the latter. KP Date: Sun, 13 Feb 2000 21:02:27 EST Bob Wilson http://www.crosswinds.net/~bluebirdbob/ You are probably sick of this but I did see all three species as I was adding 7 new boxes to the Tiara Rado trail today. The MOBL are so bright they hurt your eyes.The location of Grand Junction in on I 70 at the Colorado and Gunnison River about 24 miles inside Colorado from the Utah border. I got so excited at the number of birds on the outside of the golf course that I am trying to build about 25 by Tuesday as they are ready to start nesting. Bob Date: Sun, 20 Feb 2000 02:20:34 -0800 Greetings all from Wendy Guglieri in the beautiful Sierra Nevada foothills. I met with Hatch and Judy Graham today at the Camino Heights Golf Course and we spent the morning putting up new nest boxes for my trail. All in all, we decided on 14 boxes. The course is only 9 holes, so not immense, but quite lovely. Hatch saw a WEBL when he first arrived, sitting on a fence pole watching him mount the first of the boxes (potential taker?). At any rate, I'm ready when they are! The new owner/manager was so helpful and friendly; I really feel lucky to have his complete support. There are also a few nestboxes in private back yards adjoining the course, and at least some of these are "real" boxes (Peterson style, mostly), not just ornamental. So will contact those folks and see if they'll let me monitor their boxes, too. (or better yet, if THEY will). Have read with earnest all responses and suggestions sent to me by many of you a couple of weeks ago. Thanks much for your input. I'll let you know how it goes. Wendy Guglieri
Date: Mon, 10 Apr 2000 18:09:21 EDT Hi all, I have begun monitoring 14 boxes that were already in existence at a local golf course. The supervisor, a nice, but busy, guy put them up two years ago but had never checked them. I had my first visit there 12 days ago and he showed me around and we cleaned lots of old nests out of the boxes. All the boxes are good NABS style and on 1" conduit about six feet high. We discussed moving some. He wanted to get that done, number the boxes and make a map for me and show me how to use a golf cart to get around. I didn't hear from him for over a week so called him on Friday. He hadn't got around to doing any of it but I suggested we check the boxes again soon anyway. So I went up again today, now have a map and know how to drive a golf cart. Not difficult. He is happy for me to now go up on my own about twice a week. Here is what I found. I would welcome advice from anyone who manages a trail that they visit about twice a week and/or is on a golf course. So far Haleya has been my "mentor" but I don't think she should have to answer all my questions! She's been great! There are (or will be when movements are complete) 7 pair of boxes. Each pair is very far from every other pair. Most are facing open golf lawns. Saw at least two pair of EABL and many TRES. SAW no HOSP but.... #1 and #2, 1 beautiful EABL nest entirely of White Pine needles. 1 started nest of grasses, no junk or feathers as yet. ? TRES #3 and #4 These are in an area of tall rough grasses. 1 started HOSP nest (grasses, lots of feathers) 1 box with, oh horror, a dead male EABL. This is the first I have seen. It was so upsetting. Definitely HOSP. There was no nest to speak of in the box. #5 and #6 1 box not up yet. It is one to be moved as it had had a HOWR nest and I suggested it be moved more in the open. 1 beautiful EABL nest of pine again. #7 and #8 1 box not up yet. Same as above. 1 beautiful EABL nest as above. #9 and #10 1 empty box. 1 beautiful EABL as above. #11 and #12 1 box not up yet as above. 1 occupied mouse nest. (He said he would get this cleaned out, hadn't wanted to let me do it on first visit but hasn't done it yet) #15 and #16 (behind the supervisor's house and he doesn't want #13 there. Superstitious.) 1 box not up yet. Removed from elsewhere. 1 box with started nest of grasses and feathers, suspect HOSP. No eggs yet of any kind. Here is what I plan to do. My next visit will be Friday. I will now be able to go around on my own. I will take two traps with me and set them in boxes #3 and #4 (where there is definite HOSP) and check them when I return. I was cautious about telling the guy what I would need to do but once he saw the dead bird it was a good opportunity and he seemed O.K. about it. Once we have dealt with this HOSP I am not sure whether those boxes should be moved since it seemed an area the HOSP favored. Or should I leave them there to reduce the chances of any other HOSP going to the other boxes? I also will keep a very close eye on the two behind the supervisor's house as I think they may attract HOSP, and any other suspected HOSP nests. Am I on target? Is going up two days a week going to be enough? Mon and Fri probably. The guy says these are good days and they are good for me too. If I can fit it in and he is amenable I will try to go up more often. Any helpful suggestions welcome. I really want to get this trail going well and if I don't do it they will just be neglected again. In future posts I will call it Rock Rimmon. That is the name of the course. To any who got through all this and can spare the time to reply, many thanks in advance. Jane
Date: Mon, 10 Apr 2000 21:54:43 -0500 A great selling point for all of us who can monitor houses on golf courses is to use the fairly new concept of hanging boxes. The golf course people love the idea of not having to mow around poles and there is less interference with the golfers. PS - Jane - trap and get rid of those house sparrows! (Bluebird Bob - for cavity nesters).
Date: Mon, 10 Apr 2000 23:16:43 -0700 Kevin Putman, Yuba City, CA Marion: I didn't see the Masters nor the bluebird you mentioned. Did they say anything about what kind of bird it was, or was it just an image while the credits were rolling? I wonder if there are nestboxes at that course in Augusta. Does anyone know? I mentioned before that I think it would be a real big gain if one or some of us could get trails on some of the prestigious golf courses. Any subsequent publicity would be a big positive. It would be best if the boxes were conspicuous, at least in a couple of locations--like near the 18th hole! However, the crowds could pose a problem for an active nest. Maybe it would have to be hanging boxes.
Date: Tue, 11 Apr 2000 12:30:40 EDT Many, many thanks to all who offered suggestions and good luck to me at the golf course. Sounds like from what you say monitoring twice(or even once) a week will be fine, but I may try to go up a little more often at first because several things arose out of your answers. One, not being used to golf courses I was not on the look out for sprinklers or where balls might hit boxes (though I think the supervisor placed them pretty well with these things in mind). Also, it may be that I jumped to an erroneous conclusion about the dead male EABL and the possible start of a HOSP nest in boxes #3 and #4 respectively. The nest did not fill the box but was a jumble of grasses and feathers so I will have to see on my next visit how it has developed. The dead bird was, I now relalise not a classic HOSP killing and may have been something else. I didn't see any HOSP around so I think I will have to keep an eye on things before I decide what to do. You were all so helpful and kind to read my long post and reply. I will keep you posted about it - but more briefly in future! Jane,
Date: Tue, 11 Apr 2000 21:17:35 -0700 A report on my new golf course trail: The trail is located at app. 2500 ft. elevation in the Western foothills of the Sierra Nevada mountains. I have 15 boxes, 14 NABS, 1 Peterson. Today's check produced the following results: 5 completed WEstern BLuebird nests Out of the 5 completed nests, one was made completely out of pine needles, and another the bottom third pine needles, top 2/3 dried grasses. All other dried grasses. Had to remove the bottom parts of 2 nests to lower them - they were literally sticking out the holes! Have had only one problem since placing the boxes a few weeks ago. Last week found a nestbox that I'd inadvertently placed in the way of a major sprinkler - it had a few straws in it but was soaked. Relocated it under a nearby tree, and today a completed nest there! All else going well, and as yet - NO HOSPS!!! No eggs yet - but the timing is normal for this area. Wendy Guglieri
Date: 29 Apr 2000 04:02:04 -0000 Hello Everybirdie! Just a comment on "putting bluebird boxes UP HIGH on golf courses": When I visited my sister and brother-in-law in Hot Springs Village, Arkansas, and I accompanied her on April 5, to monitor the 14-box trail on the "back 9" of a local golf course, the boxes were mounted on pipes, with squirrel baffles, at eye-level. The boxes had front openings and were closed with a Phillips screw, thus to discourage "curiosity" lookers. Apparently the eye-level mountings had not posed any problems for the Hot Springs Village Chapter of the Audubon Society. In the 14 boxes were 33 hatchlings, ranging from two days to nearly feathered, with 26 eggs yet to hatch; and FOUR of the females did remain on the nest, even while I snapped some pictures with a "single-use" camera. Happy bluebirding! Stan, St. Paul, MN ******************
Date: Mon, 01 May 2000 06:15:28 PDT A brand new 18 hole golf course...Deer Ridge Golf Club...has been opened in the BELLVILLE AREA in the vicinity of SR97 and I71. The operators of the course are interested in having a bluebird trail established on the course in prime EABL habitat. They are looking for an experienced trail manager who might be intersted in developing and maintaining a bluebird trail at this location. It is an excellent opportunity for anyone interested in expanding his/her own trail operations. Further information can be obtained from Gil Trail in Mansfield at 419/522.6432 or, directly, from Jeff Pratt, Assistant Greenskeeper at Deer Ridge...419/886.7090
Date: Tue, 02 May 2000 02:32:02 PDT From: "Darlene Sillick" azuretrails"at"columbus.rr.com
Date: Tue, 02 May 2000 02:44:32 PDT My "FWD:no subject" post is from DARLENE SILLICK. It,
masterfully, responds to several questions raised here yesterday
about the suitability of golf
Date: Sun, 21 May 2000 22:57:56 -0700 Kevin Putman, Yuba City, CA I'd bet that Katherine is right about the golf courses--that the mowed lawn makes it easier for bluebirds to find food. Insects are probably easier to spot on the carpet-like lawns. In the agricultural areas, the insects could be hiding behind clods or tall weeds, and brown ground provides a camoflaged backdrop as opposed to a green lawn of uniform height. Although earthworms may not be the best food (when compared to caterpillars or other insects), they might do just fine in large quantities. Rain drives worms to the surface of lawns, so golf courses then would provide easy picking for the bluebirds. In the orchards, the bluebirds seem to do most of their hunting in the tree canopy. A favorite prey is caterpillars. One exception: some orchards flood-irrigate, and this drives insects to high ground. Bluebirds cash in on this; they go after the bugs when they crawl up on high ground at base of trees. But again, these food sources are radically reduced in times of bad weather. The caterpillar activity slows, and there isn't even any need to irrigate if it is raining.
Date: Fri, 30 Jun 2000 09:46:43 EDT Hi all, Despite the problems (mostly caused by House Wrens and
reluctance of the manager to move boxes) I have had in taking over
this trail (as posted 12 EABL nestlings about one week old 6 Tree Swallows fledged 1 BCCH hatchling (just hatched - four more eggs to hatch) 4 EABL eggs due to hatch 7/6 ( and in a place where they are very unlikely to get wrenned!) Only one House Sparrow nest now. Two females trapped in this nest. Haven't yet caught the male. I have learned a lot and feel a real sense of achievement too that there has been some real success. So taking over an old trail may be difficult but it is rewarding! Jane
Date: Thu, 20 Jul 2000 13:19:32
-0400
Date: Sat, 23 Dec 2000 04:37:44 -0600 Keith Kridler 32*F Mt. Pleasant, Texas Yesterday at noon Paul Harvey mentioned a golf course designer that just completed an 18 hole golf course without cutting down a single tree. It was designed around existing trees & natural water courses AND upon completion of the course he added 400 Bluebird nestboxes to the area. I was only half listening while driving as the Bluebird boxes were mentioned last but this designer is challenging Arnold Palmer and other designers of golf courses to be more environmentally sound in their designs and more helpful to wildlife. This designer needs to have a joint article done on designs and bluebird conservation mixed together and then submitted to the national golf magazines. There is a HUGE number of very young golfers hitting the little white balls now and some have to be reading the magazines their dads are subscribing to so that they will have the next Tiger Woods. If done right with a few pictures of children combining golf and bird watching, nest box monitoring and record keeping we could have an excellent chance at catching a whole generation of golfers who will watch for bluebirds while they wait to play through a hole. Did anyone catch this radio broadcast and get a name or know who or where this might be? They will definitely need help next year so that this does not go to waste through neglect or turn into a House Sparrow factory. I have seen situations like this where they used cheap commercial nestboxes that could not even be opened for cleaning.....I hope this was well thought out. If someone could do a search and get some information maybe someone with NABS could find the local people to do an article and not let this national coverage go to waste. KK
Date: Sat, 23 Dec 2000 07:19:24 -0800 National Audubon has a VERY active golf course nestbox program across the nation. Here in NE IL., we have an annual meeting of bluebirders and golf course supervisors now outnumber the rest of us. I would expect there is a link from their website about this. Also, Tina Phillips sent out an e-mail earlier about an attempt by Cornell to hook into the golf course programs. I responded about our group and, later, although it did not get funded as they had hoped, I believed she indicated that Cornell was going forward with some type of program. Now we have to wait until January to find out! Judy Mellin ----- Original Message ----- From: Keith & Sandy Kridler kridler"at"1starnet.com Keith Kridler 32*F Mt. Pleasant, Texas
Date: Sat, 23 Dec 2000 08:48:18 -0600 Keith, I heard it also but all I caught was that it is the Chicago area. I have not looked on the net to see if it is in a Paul Harvey web page. Carolyn Hall, Bassett, NE 1 degree and sunny after about 1 1/2 inches of new snow. Really pretty. I finished critter sitting south of Long Pine on Pine Creek. Had oodles and gobs (probably 3000 or better) of American Robins in the red cedar trees. Did not see any Eastern Bluebirds but I'll bet they are in those cedars somewhere.
Date: Wed, 27 Dec 2000 08:52:44 -0700 Ok for all those back among the living here is some good information about Audubon Golf Courses. This is not the National Audubon Society but this Audubon certifies golf courses as being wild life habitats. This is great news for everyone. Out local course Tiara Rado (RED EARTH) here in Grand Junction Colorado just received certification. You may recall this is the home of all three species of bluebirds. http://www.usga.org/green/download/green_section_programs/a_new_attitude.html Bob Wilson ... Date: Thu, 1 Feb 2001 09:13:55 EST does anyone remember seeing a plan for boxes on a golf course?
specifically, i need to do a presentation to a general manager to
convince him to make his course bluebird friendly, to allow me
(and others) to put up a trail on at least part of the course. i
hope to have cooperation in this in use of a cart, etc., and i
thought rather than my writing it all up, i think i remember
seeing something like this before. help anyone? Date: Mon, 26 Feb 2001 09:37:09 -0500 Eric, Further thoughts. Our cemeteries are filling up, and where we had boxes (with carefully attained permission) in "unused areas" last year, suddenly there are new graves there now. Turned out that our paired tree swallows took umbrage to the folks visiting these sites and divebombed them. This was not well received by cemetery management of folks. This is why we opened the leach field sites; we wouldn't be bothering anyone. --We have alot of tree swallows. Good luck. Dot; eastern Mass.
Date: Wed, 9 May 2001 00:01:39 -0500 Pauline Tom At what point does a golf course have a small enough amount of chemicals on the course for it to be a safe place for nest boxes? I read about nest boxes on golf courses and I also read about
the danger of placing nest boxes in areas where chemicals are
applied (because birds eat For those of you who have placed boxes on golf courses, what's the process on determining if it's a safe spot? Thanks! Date: Wed, 9 May 2001 03:55:08 -0500 Snip Pauline - A very good question, I would imagine that it varies according to the area and the problems the course faces in getting or keeping the grounds in shape. Whoever is in charge of the operation will also be a big factor in how much and what kind of chemicals, or heaven forbid pesticides are used. The manager of the Southwind course here in Germantown where the have the FedEx, St. Jude tourament each year is a friend of mine and he assures me that they use much less chemicals than the average homeowner on their course. A personal visit or phone call to the grounds keeper might accomplish much for you and all concerned, especially the bluebirds and other wildlife that are involved. Best regards, Bruce Johnson ~ Life Mbr. NABS Date: Wed, 09 May 2001 08:41:07 -0400 Haleya Priest Amherst MA Here is a quote from a recent package I received for a golf Written by Tina Phillips, this is taken from a letter geared to the Golf Course Superintendent: "The Bird House Network (TBN) is often asked whether or not golf courses provide suitable habitat for cavity-nesting birds, and without supporting data, we can't answer that question. We have an extensive amount of anecdotal evidence suggesting that golf courses provide excellent habitat for birds. We hope that this study will provide the rigorous data showing that golf courses can support healthy populations of birds and even be the impetus to encourage more golf course superintendents to erect nest boxes on their courses." Darlene Silick should also answer your post, since I believe
she has extensive experience managing golf course trails. As far
as what I've learned from this list, there really isn't evidence
of harm to the birds - like Bruce says - home chemical
applications are far worse. One of my favorite sites on my trail
is on Date: Wed, 9 May 2001 07:34:29 -0700 National Audubon has a golf course certification program for those courses that agree to follow their guidelines on pesticide use. I'm sure you will find information on this subject on their website. I'm not really familiar with it since I don't have boxes on golf courses but, at our annual Cook County bluebird meeting, we have several course managers in attendance. Judy Mellin Pauline Tom Date: Wed, 9 May 2001 07:53:11 -0500 Pauline Tom Has anyone experienced evidence of problems with nests boxes on a golf course that does use pesticides? When I approached a golf course owner recently, she considered
nest boxes. I suggested that she determine what chemical
applications are used before She and I would love to have boxes on the course - but she gives the superintendent authority to choose applications. I'd love to tell her no one has experienced problems - and that I was overcautious in mentioning chemical applications. Date: Wed, 09 May 2001 08:54:00 -0400 My experience with bluebird trails on golf courses has been very positive. Most golf courses are interested in reducing the use of all varieties of pesticides so as to limit chemical hazards to employees, patrons and to the environment. In addition, considerable economies can be achieved in golf course operations by reducing pesticide applications. If I had to pick a single location for the development of a new bluebird trail it would be on a golf course...cemeteries would come in a close second. Dean Sheldon, Huron County, Ohio Date: Wed, 09 May 2001 09:00:45 -0400 Hi Pauline, Many nest box monitors will tell you that golf courses are a perfectly safe place to put up nest boxes. That may be true, but until we can compare the nesting success of birds nesting on golf courses where chemicals are used, to the nesting success of birds in areas where chemicals are not used, there is no scientific proof to claim that golf courses provide suitable habitat for birds. Localized studies conducted in isolated regions will not all us to infer anything about the population at large. A while back I invited anyone interested in this issue to help The Birdhouse Network in a pilot study comparing nesting success of birds on and off golf courses. Initially I got about 50 interested people, but once people found out what was involved the number dwindled to about 10. I don't know if that will be enough for any sort of data analysis but at the very least, we can use the pilot study to improve the protocol for future use. Unfortunately, it won't tell us if golf courses are safe for birds, at least not yet. We will try again to fund this study for next year and hopefully be able to provide nest boxes for monitors. This year's study, however can not provide any materials. If anyone is currently monitoring boxes on golf courses (with pesticides applied) and in other areas where pesticides are not applied, it is not too late to help us to collect more data. Please contact me if you are interested. Sincerely, Tina Phillips (607)254-2482 At 12:01 AM 5/9/01 -0500, Pauline Tom wrote: Date: Wed, 09 May 2001 11:18:14 -0400 Haleya Priest Amherst MA This is my first year with a full golf course trail. I concur with Dean about the golf course being his #1 place to start a trail. When I walk on "my" golf course, everything is manicured to the "tee" - grass, trees, landscaping. Flowering shrubs, ponds, everything all cared for by someone else! When I come home I see my HUGE gardens, home-made landscaping and yard that needs mowing and wonder how I can ever manage both bluebirding and gardening! The views - at least of mine - overlooking the entire valley are exquisite! We also have ponds on the golf courses, cute bridges, etc. The pleasant relaxed atmosphere of the course is also very appealing. There is such a peaceful feeling that pervades a golf course.... It is the only place on my trail my husband will join me. We either stroll or "fast walk" while we monitor boxes depending on his mood. He'd go out every evening with me if I asked! (Now you know why I micro manage). When I am by myself and I am feeling lazy, I hop a cart and off I go - able to monitor 10 boxes in a few minutes. There is no where else on my trail I could monitor that many boxes that easily! Because of this, I'll probably end up with double that many boxes in no time. The other thing that is wonderful about having a trail on a golf course is the opportunity for educating the public about bluebirding. Golfers are beginning to get to know me and some have come up and asked questions about their own backyard boxes. I expect this to increase. Finally, because my trail is on a public golf course I know how much I help support the town's efforts to increase support for the golf course as an environmentally concerned/aware area. :-) H Date: Wed, 9 May 2001 09:32:28 -0700 Tina et. al.; The hazards to BB's of golf courses is greatly overstated. Most GC's use only fertilizers and occasionally some herbicides. It's rare for them to have to use insecticides (but they may). The fertilizers and herbicides don't pose much hazard to
anything, much less a healthy BB. BB's are insectivores, and
biologically not necessarily effected My trail goes completely around a golf course. Each visit I see literally hundreds of surface feeders (robins, starlings, rock doves, towhee's, mockingbirds, quail, wild turkeys, and others) browsing and foraging through the GC. They all seem to be perfectly healthy and happy. A "swoop feeder" like a BB, is even less likely to be affected by topical applications of various materials. Yes, care should be taken when using any kind of chemicals, and
they should be used in accordance with all care and caution
warranted. But you'll find that Regards all, ----- Original Message ----- Hi Pauline, Date: Wed, 09 May 2001 22:11:47 -0700 Linda Violett - Yorba Linda, Calif. The question was how to determine if golf courses using chemicals are safe for nesting birds. One way is to compare side-by-side hatch/death/fledge statistics of golf course trails to adjacent trails. I've just recently started monitoring a golf course trail and the first thing I did was to compare the golf course statistics to my suburban trail which is contiguous to the golf course. The statistics are similar. But keep in mind that *both* of these trail environments have chemicals. On my suburban trail, I visited a site with just-hatched bluebirds while watching chemicals being sprayed on the vacant land which would be used for foraging. The land owners did not want to spray the lot . . . it was mandated by the government for "weed" control. So if you are in a suburban area, chemicals on golf courses probably wouldn't be much different than the surrounding areas. Pauline Tom wrote: Date: Sat, 12 May 2001 02:11:30 Joe Schultz I don't golf and I used to think that golf courses were sterile places made green at any cost.Was I ever wrong about that! When I called the superintendent to ask permission to use my Bluebird boxes to help determine if his golf course was an ok place for cavity nesting birds I thought he might hang up on me. There was no hesitation and his acceptance gave me the impression he had nothing to hide. These places are not run by morons but educated people that know what they are doing. There is more wildlife at these places than I would have ever thought and the people in charge are promoting it. I was disappointed to hear that the number of people participating in the study had dropped dramatically.I would encourage them to try it next year.I would be very surprised if it was found out that golf courses are bad for the production of Bluebirds. From: "Fread J" firefrost2"at"hotmail.com The enormous use of pesticides, herbicides, rodenticides, and fungicides on golf courses has now come under scrutiny. Due to the tremendous use of water on golf courses, much of this material applied is washed into the environment with detrimental effects. Many golf course supervisors are seeking alternative methods to limit and control the use of such chemicals. To approach them in an accusatory manner, pointing out all the problems they are creating, is vastly counter-productive. One way to approach such a situation that I used was to alert the Golf Course Supervisor of the need for a Bluebird Trail which would greatly enhance the "nature experience" as golfers moved thru the course. Explain how the Bluebird Nestbox Trail would be an environmentally sound practice that would add natural interest and beauty to the fairways. Be sure to explain your need to supervise the trail would be worked out fully with any schedule he might have to lessen your prescence when golfers are playing. This is VERY important! Always remember that each placement of a nestbox should be "authorized" by him. I drew up a plan first, then made an appointment with him to view the sites and get his ideas on placement of the nestboxes. Remember that he/she is a very busy person and may not have the same enthusiasm as you! Always call to make an appointment! Mornings will be his most busy time of the day as he gets crews and work scheduled. Approach him/her with the idea that you would be happy to give a program on Bluebirding to the members so they could understand how HE was attempting to better the environment and add to the beauty of the golf course(s). Be willing to meet with the Board of Directors to explain exactly how and what you wish to accomplish. Offer a short write-up about the Bluebird Trail to be used in the Club Newsletter to its membership. Once established, get permission from the Golf Course Supervisor to invite the local media to do a story on the Bluebird Trail. Free advertisement about their golf course is always well-received! The "trick" here is to make the Supervisor always feel that he is in control on all decisions. Once he has experienced your sincerity and willingness to work with him, the Supervisor will generally work with you freely with all problems. These are a few observations which may aid you in an attemtp to approach establishing a nestbox trail. I am sure that others can add greatly to these thoughts and suggestions. Fread J. Loane Date: Thu, 28 Feb 2002 10:17:26 -0500 Fred brings up some very good logistical points about getting a nest box trail implemented on golf courses. Getting the cooperation of the golf course superintendent is key. Last year, some of you may recall, The Birdhouse Network (TBN) implemented a pilot study looking at the effects of pesticide exposure to nesting birds. In all we only got data from a handful of people but those who took the time to complete the study and work with the golf course supervisor sent us a vast amount of valuable and comprehensive data which we are currently in the process of analyzing. Another reason we conducted this study is to attempt to answer the question: Are golf courses good habitats for nesting birds or are they ecological traps? We get this question a lot and without geographically distributed data, we have no way of knowing. Additionally, TBN began working with the American Bird Conservancy (ABC) to look at the effects of pesticide exposure to nesting birds, regardless of habitat. By incorporating some key questions into our on-line database, we now have the beginnings of a database unlike any other. To my knowledge and to that of ABC, there is no such study which looks at nesting success of cavity nesters in relation to pesticide exposure across North America. And to our surprise, nearly half of the 7,000 nest boxes submitted in 2001, had answered information regarding absence or presence of pesticides near boxes. I plan to summarize more of this data in the upcoming issue of Birdscope. Anyway, Susan raises a really good question. However, it is not one that we can answer in the course of one nesting season, nor in one geographic location. We need data from across the continent and over the course of many years. With such a dedicated group of birders as are on this list, it puzzles me why more of you are not participants of TBN and entering this incredibly important information to us. The Lab of Ornithology has the means and the know-how to analyze data and answer questions that are important to nest-box monitors and more importantly, to our efforts to study and conserve cavity-nesting birds. We also have a vast amount of information at our disposal regarding pesticides and other environmental factors that TBN is always willing to share with all of you. We can even provide you with a free CD Powerpoint slide show, which contains many of the beautiful images from the Bluebird Monitor's Guide to help spread the word about TBN and nest-box monitoring. Okay, I will get off my soap box now, but with nesting season almost under way, we could really use more participants collecting data for these important studies. To join TBN, please visit the home page http://www.birds.cornell.edu/birdhouse/index.html and click the Join/Renew link on the left side of the screen. Joining is still only $15 annually. Hope to see your name on our list of Citizen Scientists! Sincerely, Tina Phillips (607)254-2482 At 07:54 AM 2/28/2002 -0600, Fread J wrote: ... From: "Gretchen Hughes" lghughes"at"
joink.com
Fread-- From: "Gary Springer" springer"at"alltel.net In an unsigned Message from a former golf course professional was written: "Golf course managers are probably one of the most scrutinized pesticide users with licenses, permits, and inspections. Very few farmers pesticide use is monitored. In simple language, before we jump too high on this lets get our facts. There are too many variables to jump to conclusions." To which I reply: Indeed, golf courses are not be the only users of dangerous chemicals but when it comes to quantities per acre and persistent use of pesticides, herbicides, fungicides and other 'cides, they're in the lead. And it is the quantities and varieties they use that has put them under scrutiny. The persistent presence of these chemicals on golf courses is a fact, not a conclusion we have to jump to. And here as with many other areas of birding, there are important unanswered questions. Because bluebirds roam over wide areas and because golf courses are relatively small, it will likely be impossible to determine the effects of these poisons on bluebirds by standard nest box data. If we are to determine the impact of these chemicals on bluebirds it will be necessary to perform biological analysis of the livers, lungs and other body parts of nestlings taken from boxes on golf courses. Incidentally, the impact of the poisonous resins in cedar are also revealed in the liver and body parts of warm blooded animals and identifiable by analysis of these parts. Has anyone conducted any of these types of biological examinations on bluebirds or are any planned so we can answer some of these important questions? Gary Springer Date: Mon, 04 Mar 2002 09:44:08 -0500 Hi Gray, We have considered the type of biological analysis you discuss for many years and it always comes down to cost. The cost to examine one specimen for a variety of pesticides is several hundred dollars. Even with the labs in place such as we have at Cornell campus, these analyses cost so much. However, Caren Cooper and I will be looking into writing a grant proposal in the near future to conduct this type of analysis on a small, but geographically diverse, scale . These kinds of studies are extremely important and unfortunately, difficult to fund. But we will keep trying. On the issue of the Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary Program, when
I first began looking at pesticides and nesting birds, I did a
little research and found the Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary
Program and thought wow! this is great that Audubon is doing this.
I went to our contact Audubon person here at the Lab, and then got
the full story. Not only does National Audubon resent the use of
the name, they kindly discouraged me from any future associations
with the Sanctuary Program. At this point I am not sure what to
make of Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary, because at the very least
it does encourage golf courses to use less pesticides and more
environmentally friendly methods of water use and habitat
restoration. However the fact they charge a large annual fee makes
me a bit skeptical of their motives. Additionally, the fact that
many of the golf courses link to National Audubon, suggests that
they too are led to believe they are in some way connected to the
real Audubon Society. It seems the sanctuary program found a great
way to build accreditation with very little effort on their part,
by using a name synonymous with bird conservation and
environmental awareness. Tina Phillips At 09:49 AM 3/2/2002 -0500, Gary Springer wrote: ... From: DottyRogers"at"netscape.net Gary: The Manomet Center for Conservation Science (Manomet, MAss) is doing a long-termed study of pesticide affects/eastern bluebirds; ditto herons. They have boxes on a pesticde-free orchard and boxes on an orchard that uses IPM. Study is one year old. I'll see whatever I can find have on it and pass it along. You might try their website (Google search); (I'll add their address, next post.) Dot Bluebirds on the Golf Course Part 2 |
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