Kathleen Snyder
As I look outside at the mini-snow storm we are having in February, I can’t help but think about April and our coming nest box season. I can’t wait! South Sound Bird Alliance now has nine prairies with about 150 nest boxes on them. Four of these prairies are monitored regularly by volunteers. The others are maintained by volunteers but not monitored. We also have volunteers who make nest boxes for us. Our Avian Science Chair, Melinda Wood, is hoping to expand into one more area in Mason County and that means we need help with installation.
Are you interested in being involved? Monitors need to be able to walk on uneven ground, take accurate data with as little disturbance to the birds as possible, use a step stool if needed, and make a commitment to come as available through the end of July. Nest box builders need basic woodworking skills and the ability to follow a pattern. Installers need the ability to pound 7 ft. metal T-posts into the ground and then attach the boxes to the post. We can also use help at the end of the season when we clean out and repair boxes.
If this appeals to you, please contact me at ksnyder75@gmail.com for more information.
Photo by Tom Bowden
