[obol] Birdhouse basics - Biirder's World for Oct., 2007

[Alan Reid]

In the Pairing Boxes block on page 23 the Stokeses say that pairing nest boxes (which they say is having two boxes 10 feet apart) will result in Tree Swallows using one box of the pair and keeping other Tree Swallows from using the other box of the pair but not bothering other species.  This may be true in some locations but is not so  in my area.  I have several true pairs in the form of one box on each side of the same post or tree.  I hoped to give Violet-green Swallows or Western Bluebirds a chance.  At my place in the McKenzie River Valley, western Oregon, I frequently have Tree Swallows in each box on the same post.  The only way I can get a Violet-green nest is to block a box entrance until the Tree Swallows have chosen a box and started nests and the Violet-greens are investigating.  The Violet-greens seem to arrive later in the spring.

On the east side of the Cascades, near Sisters, I have had Tree Swallows in one box and Western Bluebirds in the box on the other side of the post.  I have also had Tree Swallows in both boxes.

I see an unfortunate tendency to transfer expererience  from one area to the whole country.  Another example is the statement that Tree Swallows never have two nests in a year.  I get as many as 86% second nests and BIRDS OF OREGON says this is normal in the Willamette Valley.

Alan Reid  areid at peak.org
2 miles below Leaburg 
on the McKenzie Hwy.
41886 McKenzie Hwy.,
Splringfield, Or.
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