Bird House Success

The second year of our bird house program has again been a big success. In the spring of 2010 we had the Boy Scouts from Troup 477 build over two dozen bird houses. The golf club provided most of the materials, cut he wood to size and provided direction on how to assemble them. I also gave a  brief educational lecture on the types of bird species we were looking to attract and the significance of the design of the bird houses. Many people do not realize that the shape of the entry hole and the size of the hole have a significant effect on the species that will use it and on the success of rearing chicks.  Our most successful box has been the one just outside of the entry to our maintenance facility in our bee and butterfly garden. We have had over a dozen chickadees emerge from that house alone. The other houses on the course have had varying success. Some have not had any birds in the two years and some have had chicks one year and not the next. We continue to monitor the houses weekly throughout the summer to see which ones are more successful. From this info we will move unsuccessful houses to environments, heights, directions, and cover that are similar to our inhabited boxes.

Please note the two small birds pictured above were not raised in our Chickadee boxes. They were seen last week enjoying the sunshine on #1 Fairway on China Creek. It sure is a beautiful sight to see. I know all of you golfers are out there seeking other kinds of birdies and eagles but this double eagle makes you want to slow down and enjoy some of the other beautiful things you can see on a golf course.