{"id":2778,"date":"2015-03-06T04:00:00","date_gmt":"2015-03-06T04:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.blog.sdps-bbs.com\/?p=2778"},"modified":"2015-11-13T18:12:48","modified_gmt":"2015-11-13T18:12:48","slug":"%e2%80%8btime-to-start-those-wildlife-projects","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.purdue.edu\/fnr\/extension\/%e2%80%8btime-to-start-those-wildlife-projects\/","title":{"rendered":"\u200bTime to Start Those Wildlife Projects"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Remove perches from wildlife nest boxes like the bluebird box pictured here. Perches allow undesirable birds to harass native cavity nesters and take over a nest box.<\/p><\/div>\n

Even though we have had some rough weather lately, this winter didn\u2019t seem so bad to me. Now that the weather forecast is looking positive and the days are getting longer (this month, we gain about 75 minutes –\u00a0I am embarrassed to admit that I check\u00a0this\u00a0frequently during the winter because it helps me get through the winter doldrums), it is a good time to think about wildlife habitat projects.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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Sometimes landowners and homeowners can be overwhelmed by all the different ways they can help wildlife on their property. An easy project that is also fun to build and place on your property is\u00a0a nest box. You don\u2019t want to wait much longer. Erect your nest box well before the average start of the nesting season (most birds start in mid-April, but some start sooner). Some species will set up their nesting territory three\u00a0to four\u00a0weeks prior to egg laying.<\/div>\n
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Many species of native birds and mammals will utilize nest boxes. When we put out a nest box, all we are doing is replicating what nature already provides with cavities in both live and dead trees. Woodpeckers are primary cavity users because they create their own. Other birds and mammals are secondary cavity users because they use what is already there \u2013 either those that occur in older, dying trees or those that are created by woodpeckers. Installing nest boxes in areas where cavities are likely scarce such as urban environments or young woods may be particularly beneficial.<\/p>\n

Tips<\/strong><\/p>\n