Nest Box Trail

Our Nest Box Trail

Contents

Prothonotary Warblers

Getting Started

Nest Box Plans Links

2003 Trail Data

2004 Trail Data

2005 Trail Data

2006 Trail Data

We have been maintaining a nest box trail on our property since 1999. Because of our land's versatile terrain, our nest boxes attract a variety of birds and animals. Many of the nest boxes are in the forested area. When Hurricane Katrina came through, downing over 150 large trees, the nest box trail was severely damaged. After Katrina, when we were finally able to cut our way to the river, we discovered that half of our boxes were either destroyed or severely damaged. We were so busy surviving and clearing and repairing the damage to our own dwelling and yard that we were afraid that we would have to abandon the trail in 2006. But the Louisiana Bayou Bluebird Society came to the rescue by giving us 10 brand new North American Bluebird Society approved nest boxes. In February, all we had to do was clear the area to and around the nest boxes, stand the poles back up, put back the predator guards and mount the new houses. Within a week, Eastern Bluebirds and Carolina Chickadees were inspecting the new real estate. It was extremely important that the houses were replaced in a timely manner because most of the dead trees containing natural nesting cavities were blown down by Hurricane Katrina.

Prothonotary Warblers

Most of our property is wooded and only 1/3 of it is open area suitable for nesting bluebirds. Only 1 pair of bluebirds usually nests here, but we are blessed to have several pairs of Prothonotary Warblers nesting in our habitat. We first discovered this beautiful little bird shortly after we bought our place in the country on the Tchefuncte River. Being nest box trail novices and not having time for more, we bought a Wal Mart bluebird box and nailed it to a tree. We also had a butterfly shelter box that someone had given us so we nailed it up to the gate post. Nothing used the nest box except the raccoon that ripped it off the tree. But we were surprised and delighted when a pair of small yellow birds with blue-gray wings built a small nest and raised 2 young in the butterfly shelter for 2 years in a row.

We soon found plans for predator baffles and North American Bluebird Society approved nest boxes. Prothonotary warblers will use standard bluebird boxes, but they seem to prefer a smaller box, more the size of a ½ gallon milk carton or a box designed for a wren or a chickadee. They are notorious for nesting in unusual places. We've had them turn their "beaks" up at well made wooden bluebird boxes to nest in uninsulated cardboard milk cartons and a decorative house that we hung on our porch. A neighbor had a pair nest in the cinder blocks that her a/c compressor was on. Prothonotary Warblers need shady nesting sites, on or near water.

For more information about the Habitat Requirements, Nest & Egg Descriptions and Breeding Characteristics of birds that nest in cavities try Cornell's Birdhouse Network or Sialis .
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Getting Started

The old adage, "An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure", holds true when it comes to putting up nest boxes. If you put forth a little more effort initially to provide the most beneficial situation for the cavity nesting birds that you are trying to attract it will save a lot of time and heart ache in the long run. Here are a few pointers that will help make your nest box experience a positive one.

Do Not Put Nest Boxes on Trees. This is a recipe for disaster because trees are the first place predators look. Mounting on trees also makes boxes difficult to monitor. If you regularly monitor nest boxes, potential problems (like bees and wasps) can be nipped in the bud before they get out of hand.
Predator Baffles Save Lives. Many predators such as racoons, snakes, cats, starlings and crows can be foiled by good predator baffles and some modifications to the nest boxes. Simple designs that are easy to construct can be found at the North American Bluebird Society Website.
Nest box Design is Extremely Important. The roof should extend out to protect the birds from reaching predators and to shade from the summer sun. Hole size, nest box depth and sturdy construction are also important and in the hot, humid south good ventilation is crucial. Great, free nest box plans can be found at the following sites.

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A well made, NABS approved cypress nest box which is being used by a pair of Eastern Bluebirds.

Nest Box Plans

North American Bluebird Society Nest Box Plans

Various house plans for many types of cavity nesters:
Northern Prairie Wildlife Resource Center Blinds & Boxes

Wood Duck Box Plans

Chickadee, Wren or Prothonotary Size Box

North American Bluebird Society Predator Baffle Plans

Other Resources

Nest Box Trail Data

In 2003,
during the nesting season, our property experienced some of the worst flooding in many years due to a series of heavy thunder storms and Tropical Storm Bill. Two of the nest boxes that were placed in low areas near the river that had never flooded before went under water. The water was slow to recede making it impossible to check 5 of the boxes for weeks.

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2003 (March 2 - May 15)
Type	Nests	Eggs	Young
Carolina Chickadee	8	28	16
Eastern Bluebird	2	10	9
Tufted Titmouse	1	6	6
Prothonotary Warbler	4	15	9
Wood duck	1	12	11
Bird Total	16	71	51
Flying Squirrel	2		2

2004
was another wet year with both Hurricane Ivan and Tropical Storm Matthew hitting Southeast Louisiana. For many weeks we were unable to check some of the boxes. We also had problems with paper wasps building nests in the baffles & the houses resulting in the deaths of nestlings. Flying squirrels evicted birds from 2 boxes and honey bees made a hive in a wood duck box that was mounted on a tree.

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2004 (March 31 - May 24)
Type	Nests	Eggs	Young
Carolina Chickadee	3	17	4
Eastern Bluebird	2	8	5
Prothonotary Warbler	3	13	7
Carolina Wren	1	4	3
Bird Total	9	42	19
Flying Squirrel	2		7

In 2005,
the weather was strange. In late April we experienced near freezing temperatures which caused the death of at least 1 nest of baby bluebirds. We opted to build a new wood duck box and give up box #4 to the honey bees, but we were able to remove WD box #3 from the tree, repair it and mount it on a pole with a predator baffle. Then at the end of August, Hurricane Katrina roared through, reeking havoc on our habitat.

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2005 (March 23-May 15)
Type	Nests	Eggs	Young
Carolina Chickadee	4	29	21
Bluebird	2	9	3
Prothonotary Warbler	3	10	9
Wood duck	2	23	20
Bird Total	11	71	53
Flying Squirrels	2		4

2006
was the second driest year on record. This spring was also cooler than normal. The nest boxes had a higher occupation rate than normal due to the loss of natural nesting cavities caused by Hurricane Katrina. Nests were started in all but 3 of the nest boxes on our trail, however all were not successful. The Carolina Chickadees and the Prothonotary Warblers did well this year.

2006 (March 8 - June 21)
Type	Nests	Eggs	Young
Carolina Chickadee	6	29	18
Bluebird	3	11	8
Prothonotary Warbler	5	12	10
Carolina Wren	0 in boxes	0	0 from boxes
Great Crested Flycatcher	2	8	8
Wood Duck	2	20 est.	20 estimate
Bird Total	18	80	64
Flying Squirrel	3		4

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