Western New York Bluebird Workshop at RTPI
The New York State Bluebird Society will sponsor a Bluebird Workshop at the Roger Tory Peterson Institute in Jamestown on Saturday, April 1st at 1pm. This free, public workshop will feature two presentations by John Ruska – past president and lifetime director of the Bluebird Society. Ruska’s first presentation- entitled “All About Bluebirds – and More” – will detail the life history of the Eastern Bluebird; will include a display and discussion of the various types of Bluebird nestboxes and how they are best managed; and will provide opportunities for participants to ask...
Read MoreTufted Titmouse
This cute Tufted Titmouse may be building a home soon, if it is not already, depending on where you live. Have you ever put out dog fur for them to use as nesting material? Titmice, and other small songbirds that use nestboxes and cavities like the Black-capped Chickadee, will take fur that you put out in say, an empty suet cage, and use it to line their nest. Some have even been known to try to pull the fur right off a dog or another animal! You may want to be sure, of course, that the fur is free of any parasites or chemicals and is otherwise clean. They will readily pull out very large...
Read MoreClean Nestboxes!
It’s that time again – spring cleaning! In this case you should be all set and ready to go now with cleaning out the homes of birds in your yard, sprucing them up a bit if needed before Eastern Bluebirds, Black-capped Chickadees, Tree Swallows and more arrive or start building. It’s a terrific excuse to get kids outside and engaged with nature as the days get longer, warmer and far more pleasant. It may also be a good reason for you to step away from the desk and get some fresh air as well. Scott Kruitbosch Conservation & Outreach Coordinator
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