-
1
Nest Box News Volume 4, Issue 4
Spring 2016
S o u t h Car o l i na B lu e b ir d So c i e t y
An Affiliate of the North American Bluebird Society
SCBS Directory, Presi-
dents’ Message
2
NWTF Installation
Insider News
3
4
Save the Date 5
Birds & Butterflies Nature
Series
Who loves a dust bath?
6
7
8
Ask Dr. Ron 9
What’s In Your Backyard?
Backyard and Beyond
To Be , by Martha Foss
10
11
12
Color Me!
Name That Photo
Kids’ nest box build
Eagle Scout project
13
14
15
16
www.southcarolinabluebirds.org
Inside This Issue
Why do birds sing in
the morning? It’s the
triumphant shout:
“We got through an-
other night!” Enid
Bagnold
Connectivity in Nature often applies to people too. We
know that a tree provides housing, shelter, food and
protection
to our feathered friends. When the tree dies, it still has a
con-
nectivity to Nature in the forms mentioned above, and for
more
creatures than just birds. The amazing link to people,
however,
lies in the willingness to help Nature in little ways. For
exam-
ple, we have Glen & Gail Hendry, who in their woodshop
at
home, construct over 300 nest boxes a year! Add to the mix
the
approximately 72+ individuals who monitor the trails weekly
from mid-March to September (in all sorts of weather)! Not
to
forget the landowners, private citizens and City government
that make it possible to have trails. Then add the many
public
presentations to spread the “Bluebird word”, the kids’ nest
box
build (on pg.15) and special projects taken on by the Boy
Scouts of America (pg.3,16) and the connection is almost
com-
plete. With continued involvement the connection can remain
strong for years to come.
By: Terry McGrath
Glen Hendry in the woodshop where the magic happens!
-
2
Director Emeritus: Jim Burke
Officers
President
Mike DeBruhl/[email protected]
Vice President
Maggi Howard/[email protected]
Secretary
Debbie Reed/[email protected]
Treasurer
Tim Bendle/[email protected]
Directors
Steve Baker/[email protected]
Terry McGrath/[email protected]
Mary Shultz/[email protected]
Bluebird Trail Committee
Ron Brenneman/[email protected]
Roger Brock/[email protected]
Glen & Gail Hendry/[email protected]
Membership
Mary Shultz/[email protected]
Website
www.southcarolinabluebirds.org
Webmaster
Karen Raine/[email protected]
Facebook Page Editor
Nancy Moseley/[email protected]
SCBS Newsletter Editor
Terry McGrath/[email protected]
SCBS DIRECTORY
PRESIDENT’S PERSPECTIVE...
In my last column…I stated “ Wow !! 2016 IS OFF TO A “FLYING
START” FOR THE SCBS !! ”. Well fans, that has continued and
we
are seeing some impressive results of our efforts - from early
fledg-
lings, to nests built in a BIRD FEEDER (true), to multiple
duckling
fledges (more to come), increases in requests for our assistance
and
educational presentations.
We have continued our roles as consultants, advisors, trouble
shoot-
ers, fix-it folks, and friends of our feathered friends. But, we
are just
getting started.
As mentioned at our monthly meetings, we continue our
outreach
programs with presentations to bird clubs, Audubon groups,
schools,
interested backyard birders, and various communities across
the
state. This most recently includes:
An educational seminar to over 70 members of the Hamilton
Lake
Audubon Society and assisted them with Trail Monitor training.
Re-
ceived a kind donation.
An educational seminar to over 50 members of the Sun City
Bird
Club and received a kind donation.
An educational seminar sponsored by our friends at Wild Birds
Un-
limited in Mt Pleasant to over 50 attendees and also received a
kind
donation.
Participated in two of the super Tuesday seminars at Birds &
Butter-
flies.
Installed a new trail at the Aiken County Government Center and
a
trail at the Carolina Bay.
Accepted invitation for presentation to the Augusta Rose Society
in
May, with others coming from various groups for June through
Sep-
tember (for now).
Why do we do this ? Because we have challenged ourselves to
strive to educate, assist and encourage additional efforts to
preserve
and strengthen our cavity dwellers….PLUS it is fun and
personally
satisfying. So keep up the good work and continue to get
involved in
SCBS projects and events.
And speaking of events…make sure to attend the SCBS PICNIC
on April 30 at the Silver Bluff Audubon Center and
Sanctuary.
Cheers….and see you on the Trails ! Mike
-
3
Turk
eys l
ove
blueb
irds!
The National Wildlife Turkey Federation Gets Fifty New Nest
Boxes
By: Terry McGrath
Reading a bit like a bowl of alphabet soup, on 3-5-2016 the SCBS
got together
with the NWTF, SCDNR and the BSA to install 50 new nest boxes in
Edgefield.
With the help of Mary Catherine Martin and her trusty gas
powered auger, about
40 members of the Boy Scouts, and 7 volunteers from our club
added to the 50
nest boxes already in place. The area is abundant with open,
grassy areas favored
by bluebirds. The new trail will be monitored by The NWTF and it
promises to be
every bit as successful as Hitchcock Woods!
P.J. Perea gives the Scouts instructions.
Prime Bluebird real estate!
Ron Brenneman & Mary Catherine Martin await
the first group
L. to R. Mary Catherine Martin, Glen & Gail Hendry,
Carol Tucker and Linda Burgess
Listening & learning!
-
4
Whether a hatchling,
nestling, fledgling, or
egg—we’re happy you all are in our
nest! HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO EVERYONE
WHO HATCHED in May, June and
July!
Deadlines for submissions to
The Nest Box News are: January 15th, April 15th, July 15th,
October 15th Send
your ideas, pictures, comments or articles
to: [email protected]
SCBS now offers Lifetime Memberships.
If you’d like to subscribe, email Mary
Shultz, Membership Director for info at:
[email protected]
Insider News...
Terry’s
By: Terry McGrath
After I spread the Bark Butter or Tree Icing
for the birds, I sprinkle a little seed on also.
They seem to like the extra crunch!
For information on joining NABS, see
http://nabluebirdsociety.org/. For information on join-
ing the SCBS and other great information, see
http://www.southcarolinabluebirds.org
Tree
Icing
Adult coloring books are all the rage! Feeling like Picasso,
Monet or Rembrandt? Unleash
the artist in you compliments of Cornell University! Just add
colored pencils! See pg. 13...
Don’t forget to mark the SCBS picnic on your calendars!
Delicious barbeque and
sides, fun, raffles and more all in the beautiful setting that
is Silver Bluff Audubon
Center & Sanctuary. Saturday, April 30th from 3:30-? Only
$15.00 per person!
http://nabluebirdsociety.org/http://www.southcarolinabluebirds.org/
-
5
Member Meetings* 7:00 pm
April 25, 2016
April 30, 2016 SCBS Picnic 3:30-?
SUMMER BREAK
September 19, 2016
October 17, 2016
November 14, 2016
Board Meetings* 5:00 pm
May 9, 2016
August 8, 2016
November 7, 2016
*Board and Members meetings are at
Events and presentations:
April 23, 2016 Earth Day on Newberry
Street
August Rose Society, May 2016
Refreshments for our meetings
are a labor of love! If you want
to share your baking talents
(and calories), let me know
which meeting you would like
to “host”. Coffee is provided...
Email me at:
[email protected] and
let me know your meeting
preference...
I’ll be seeing you
in September!
Don’t forget to come and “pork out” with us at the SCBS
picnic!
Get your reservations in by April 25th!!
-
6
Birds & Butterflies of Aiken - 2016 Nature Series
Schedule
“The purpose of Birds & Butterflies seminars and field trips
are to foster the love and appreciation of the natural things God
has created for our enjoyment.”
Saturday, April 9 (NEW) Bird Walk in Hitchcock Woods
Join us for a bird watching walk led by local birder and
Aiken-Augusta Audubon Society member
Calvin Zippler. Meet at Stable-On-The-Woods entrance at 8:00AM.
Bring binoculars and be prepared to
do some walking. LimitSaturday, April 9 (NEW) Bird Walk in
Hitchcock Woods
Rain date April 16.
Tuesday, April 12 (NEW) Ecology of the Red-cockaded Woodpecker
and Possible Relocation in
Hitchcock Woods.
Mark Pavlosky, Wildlife Consultant with MPJ Wildlife Consulting
LLC will talk the ecology and man-
agement of the Red-cockaded woodpecker, an endangered species
found in South Carolina, and ongoing
recovery efforts. Mark and Randy Wolcott, Past Chairman of
Hitchcock Woods Board of Directors and
Chairman of Hitchcock Woods Foundation Forestry Committee will
discuss current efforts to re-establish
Red-cockaded woodpeckers in Hitchcock Woods.
Tuesday, May 3 Hummingbirds—Nature’s Jewels
Learn interesting facts about this incredible bird. See slides
of nests and young, and
many species that occur across the US. Discussions of feeders,
food, feeder maintenance and
plants that will attrat hummingbirds to your yard.
Tuesday, May 17 Critters of the Night (Field Trip)
Join us at Silver Bluff Audubon Center where Director, Paul
Koehler will lead us as we liten
for the calls of the Whip-poor-will, Chuck-will’s-widow, owls,
frogs and other night dwellers. Meet
at the Silver Bluff Visitors Center at 7:30PM. Limited to 25
participants This will be an exciting
and interesting evening. Bring a flashlight. Rain date Thursday,
May 19. Maps available at Birds &
ButterfliesTuesday, May 17
Tuesday, June 7 Owls of South Carolina, Including Live Owls
Presented by biologists, Carol & Larry Eldridge, who have
been wildlife rehabilitators for
more than 30 years, focusing on raptors for the past 20 years.
They will be bringing live owls to
the seminar (depending on availability of birds at that time).
One of our most popular programs.
-
7
Tuesday, July 12 (NEW) The Carolina Dog After Thirty Years
Dr. I Lehr Brisbin, Senior Ecologist, Emeritus at the Savannah
River Ecology Lab will
present an intriguing program on Carolina dogs that are native
to our area and still occur in the wild.
This program is an update of the latest findings in research and
conservation of this distinct
breed of dog that was officially recognized and registered in
the mid-1970’s.
Saturday, July 23 Field Trip to the Allendale Kite Fields
Join us as Peter Stangel, with the U.S. Endowment for Forestry
and Communities, leads us
on a ½ day field trip looking for Swallow-tailed and Mississippi
Kites near Allendale, SC. If we are
fortunate, we will have the opportunity to see several to a
dozen of more of each species at fairly
close range as they feed on dragonflies and other insects.
Limited to 15 people. Trip details
available at Birds & Butterflies.
Tuesday, August 9 (NEW) Field Guide to Earth Science in the
Sandhills
There are many books and field guides which help in identifying
birds, trees and flowers in South
Carolina, but it is not so easy to apply earth science guides to
interpret sediments and stones seen while
digging, hiking in the woods, or driving around in the Carolina
Sandhills. This slide illustrated talk will famil-
iarize you with geological features that you can see here in
Aiken County. Presented by Walt Kubilius, PhD,
an environmental geologist at the Savannah River Site who has
done geological field work in Alaska, Nova
Scotia, Arkansas and other places.
Tuesday, September 13 Snakes of the Southeast: How Do You Know
Who is Who?
Dr. Whit Gibbons, Professor Emeritus, Univ. of Georgia’s SREL
will present a lecture using live
snakes of the region, both venomous and harmless, to discuss
tips on identification, snake safety, and the
ecology and behavior of regional species. You won’t want to miss
this presentation.
Space is limited, so reservations are required by calling
649-7999. There is a $5.00 non-refundable charge for each seminar
or field trip when the reservation is made. Children 16 and
under are free.
Seminars begin at 7:00PM at Birds & Butterflies, 117 Laurens
St. NW in downtown Aiken unless otherwise noted. Most seminars last
45-60 minutes.
If a particular seminar is full, additional sessions may be
scheduled.
Unless otherwise noted, seminars are presented by Ron Brenneman,
Certified Wildlife Biologist and owner of Birds &
Butterflies.
Shop discounts & special door prizes and refreshments at
each seminar at Birds & Butterflies.
Birds & Butterflies of Aiken - 2016 Nature Series Schedule,
continued...
More info and a complete Nature Series schedule for 2016
will be available at Birds & Butterflies or by visiting
their
website at: www.birdsandbutterfliesaiken.com
-
8
I sprinkled some catnip on the rug the other day, and watched as
my cats totally “spazzed”
out —rolling around and going crazy with whatever the catnip
does to kitties! I’ve seen
birds do this too, and doubting someone sprinkled catnip, I did
some research. Feather
health is very important to birds for flight as well as ridding
their bodies of parasites. Most
common behavior will find birds bathing in water, then preening
to keep their feathers
healthy. While we humans shudder at the sight of an ant hill,
many birds actually roll on
the hills and ants themselves! Some experts believe the ants
produce an acid that acts as
a parasite killer for the birds. Sunbathing is another way birds
rid their feathers of para-
sites.
Sunbathing is another way birds rid their feathers of
parasites, like this female Anhinga in Summerville, SC
photo by: Terry McGrath
Millie crashed after a catnip “bath”!
This male Cardinal enjoys his bath in Nancy
Moseley’s dog dish!
Photo by: Nancy Moseley
Photo by: Terry McGrath
Splish, Splash, They Were Taking a Bath, and More...
-
9
After visiting the Carolina Sandhill NWR in February, I
thought it would be pertinent to bring up an “Ask Dr.
Ron” question from our Spring 2015 Newsletter:
“After some really cold evenings, you may notice a Woodpecker
seeming to
reside in your nest box. They are cavity nesters, after all, so
why not?
They’ve even gone so far as placing bits of bark and seeds in
the seams of
the box from the inside! What you’re seeing, however, are
Woodpeckers
roosting as a respite from the chilly temps! A Woodpecker
requires a nest
hole 8 to 12 inches deep and a cylindrical living space three
and one half by
five and one eighth inches deep (picture a gourd shape). The
inside of the
nest has the excavated wood chips as a base.”
Below is a photograph of an actual Red Cockaded Woodpecker’s
cavity. After
the tree failed the trunk was dissected and this is what a
Woodpecker cavity
looks like and why a Bluebird nest box just won’t do!
Photo by: Terry McGrath
-
10
This leusistic pine siskin shares the
feeders at Glen & Gail Hendry’s house.
“No, it’s not a baby Bald
Eagle” says Gail Hendry of
this little guy.
Normal colored pine siskins
-
11
(and beyond)
Red Shouldered Hawk at Equine Rescue
Cedar Waxwing stops to partake in a berry-ful
bounty
Lovin’ your colors Mr. House Finch
A Pine Warbler shares with Red Bellied Woodpecker
Male Eastern Bluebird enjoying
the suet feeder
Photos by: Terry McGrath
-
12
To Be
Martha Bisset Foss, Feb 2016*
I spied two turtles resting on the swampy back pond at Hopelands
the other day; And though the clouds veiled a reclusive sun, they
lay there hoping to bathe. Calm atop long blades of swampy grass,
enjoying the continuous breeze The larger atop the smaller one
Criss-crossed, eyes closed, and pleased. And fascinated, I observed
their muddy surrounds, the brown and winking water; and thought how
right to simply be without self-doubt or worry.
Not asking why? or how? or worthy?—
Nor fearing other’s expectations,
But simply awaiting the suns’ arrival,
Her sweet and warming blessing.
*Conceptualized while checking the SCBS bluebird boxes at
Hopelands Garden.
Happy turtles at the
Bay...
-
13
Color me Picasso!
http://dl.allaboutbirds.org/e1t/c/*W2Cjw5837krsQVWW74f5RNK2C0/*W3zzpCx4sWrXQW1qCmHZ2ClJQs0/5/f18dQhb0S2Dj2nS4z-SmK46mYnvrW26zG777gs0C-W5gqDlm7Hr310W2vYp3L3fXSgBW5g39678mqz2rW8_9nNY4sT9QNW3s02Ll8jRSDXW4FKHcT4DC92JW291rDx9hxhm7W765L054CZhXJVRz_nb62MYTvW6yS
-
14
http://www.audubonaction.org/site/Survey
Name That Photo!
Calling all birders!! Just what goes on in a birds’ mind??
Better yet, what exactly
comes out of their mouths (or beaks)?? Send your funniest,
sassiest or most
thought provoking caption to The Nest Box News!
Contact me at: [email protected]
Did you know...
If you captured a cool shot of any wildlife, send it to me and
we’ll help you
NAME THAT PHOTO!!!
Photo by: Tori Brown, SCBS member
I can’t believe I ate the
whole thing! Terry McGrath
Didn’t your mama tell you not to talk
with your mouth full?
Yum, yum! Kathy
Quillin Rich
There’s a fun quiz to take from the website posted below…
I’m a Hudsonian Godwit, what are you?
Go to and find out:
-
15
“Build a Nest Box Day” a huge success at Birds &
Butterflies!
A dozen eager future ornithologists gathered on February 27th to
construct
nest boxes provided by Birds & Butterflies. Along with SCBS
members
Glen and Gail Hendry, Don and Audrey Hendry, Terry McGrath and
the kids’
helpful parents and grandparents, a dozen fabulously built nest
boxes
went out with the children’s high hopes to bring cavity nesting
birds to
their own backyards!
-
16
Richard Dorfman, a sophomore at Aiken
High School, completed his Eagle Scout
project recently. He chose to build and in-
stall eight nest boxes for the City. There
are now six boxes at the Bay, across from
O’Dell Weeks Recreation Center, and two
boxes at the Aiken PRT office at Citizen’s
Park. The South Carolina Bluebird Society
helped by providing two poles and baffles.
We are thankful Richard chose this project!
Richard with a box installed at the Bay.
Two nest boxes at Citizen’s Park.
These two ducks quack their approval!
-
17
Like us on Facebook! For answers to your questions and
membership information to
the South Carolina Bluebird Society and the North American
Bluebird Society go to:
http://www.southcarolinabluebirds.org
https://www.facebook.com/groups/SouthCarolinaBluebirdSociety
South Carolina Bluebird Society
P.O. Box 5151
Aiken, SC 29803-5151
TO:
