Nesting boxes offer refuge for native songbird
Associated Press
Associated Press A bluebird checks out a birdhouse.
Associated Press
An Eastern Bluebird prepares to feed it’s brood at a birdhouse.
Spring is an ideal time to witness Mother Nature at its prime with an abundance of green, flower buds and new life.
In an effort to connect the public to the latter, the Pennsylvania Game Commission offers nesting boxes that are inhabited by a number of winged species, the most popular being the commonwealth-native bluebird.
“Building and placing nesting boxes is a great project for individuals, families or civic organizations interested in connecting with wildlife in a natural way,” said Bryan Burhans, Game Commission Executive Director, in a press release. “What better way to usher in spring than attracting bluebirds to backyards and properties.”
The press release noted that the boxes are built by the Howard Nursery staff, located in Centre County.
“They literally build them all winter long,” PGC Southwest Region Wildlife Education Supervisor Patrick Snickles said with a laugh. “it’s a program that’s been around for a number of years.”
A single box sells for $11.66, including sales tax. When purchasing two or more boxes, the cost is $10.60 each, including sales tax. They’re also available at the PGC’s Harrisburg headquarters, region offices and the Middle Creek Wildlife Management Area.
“Customers can select pre-built boxes or choose kits that can be assembled as a wood-working project. The kits provide a great opportunity for Scout troops, summer camps and other conservation groups to get involved with helping wildlife,” the release noted. “Special pricing is available for organized educational activities. Call the Howard Nursery or region offices for details.”
“Each year, the nursery produces an average of 4,000 bluebird boxes and 10,000 kits. In addition to being sold to groups and individuals, they are also available to cooperators in the Game Commission’s Hunter Access Program,” the release stated.
Snickles said the main objective of the project is to provide homes and nesting areas for wildlife.
“It’s a place for them to raise their young,” he said.
In Pennsylvania, the native songbird known as the blue bird is the most common inhabitant of the boxes. Other species that commonly inhabit the nesting boxes are house wrens and tree swallows.
Snickles said the game commission saw a need for them when their usual homes began disappearing.
“The blue bird nests in wooden fence posts most often, but a lot of farmers don’t use wooden fences anymore,” he said, adding that they’re typically replaced now by metal fencing.
The project, though, is also a way give the public a chance to observe the birds up close.
“They’re able to see and enjoy the species. They can sit on their porch and watch the wildlife,” he said.
Though at this point in the season, it’s a bit late for the blue bird and some species — as they often begin finding their nesting grounds in late March — it’s not too late to put them out for other wildlife, or for next year.
Forms for the nesting boxes can be found online at www.pgc.pa.gov or by calling 814-355-4434.