Cavity Nesting Birds

    

What are cavity nesting birds?

The majority of birds build their nest among the branches of trees or shrubs or hidden in taller grasses on the ground. Certain species prefer to nest in hollow cavities. These birds are called "cavity nesters".

Woodpeckers can make their own nest holes by excavating them in dead trees, which are known as 'snags'. However, there are many other cavity nesting birds such as chickadees, bluebirds and house wrens, that cannot make their own holes. These birds rely on old woodpecker holes and natural cavities in dying trees for nesting sites.

Why build nest boxes for cavity nesting birds?

Unfortunately, the number of these natural nest sites have been steadily declining over the years. Many forests and farms where tree snags are common have been developed to make way for homes, businesses, schools and shopping centers. Land managers commonly remove dead trees because there are considered "eyesores" or hazards. The reduction in the number of available nesting sites has increased competition among birds for the remaining sites. In addition, two non-native birds, the European House Sparrow and the European Starling were accidentally released in the United States decades ago. These non-native birds are very aggressive and out-compete native birds for nesting cavities. Putting up nest boxes helps increase bird nesting success and balance the loss of natural habitat.

What nest boxes are used at the Village Links ?

Nest boxes are bird houses that are specifically tailored for the cavity nesting birds. The size of the opening and the dimensions of the box have been calculated to fit the size of the bird and its nest. For example, the standard songbird box is sized to fit a number of small birds, but the entrance is too small for the aggressive European Starling. In addition to the size of the nest box, it is important to place the box in the proper habitat for the bird species that will use it.

Bluebird populations have declined 90% in the last

50 years. These birds are now fairly common at

the golf course since they began nesting in our

man-made nest boxes in 1995.

                                                                                  

       


                                            The female will lay 5 or 6 eggs.

The female incubates her eggs in

a nest box left of 12 tee.  

The recently hatched young wait for their parents to feed them 

 a meal of insects. Bluebirds feed their young several times an hour.

Tree Swallows readily accept man-made nest boxes that are placed near water. During the summer months, they feed on flying insects exclusively, including mosquitoes, gnats and moths.

Since the nest box program began in 1992, 2,475 birds have been fledged. A special thanks to nest box volunteer Lori Carlson, who has been monitoring nest boxes at the golf course for the past 16 seasons and Rod Hoden for monitoring the Lambert Lake nest boxes.

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Coyotes

Reports of coyotes increase during October and November in Glen Ellyn. Coyotes are primarily nocturnal but during the fall juveniles begin to leave their family group to find a mate and a new territory. Much of the time spent hunting for a mate takes place during daylight so the normally shy coyotes are easily seen by humans. Coyotes have fairly large territories ranging from 5 to 10 square miles. Occasionally territories will be smaller if food is plentiful. In 1989 there were 2 coyote dens at the Village Links Golf Course. The dens were only 1 mile apart. Coyotes can dig their own den but often take over a den previously used by a woodchuck or skunk. They mate in January and 2 months later 1 to 19 pups are born, The average litter is 6 pups.

A juvenile coyote rests on #6 fairway.

Coyotes have been present off and on at the Village Links for the past 40 years. They have been observed eating primarily mice, chipmunks and rabbits. Surprisingly they have never gone after any of the 3 stray cays that have lived around the golf course the past several years. This is probably due to the fact that coyotes learn what to eat from their parents. If they are taught to eat mice and rabbits, that is all they will eat unless their natural food source disappears. In Southern California there was an instance where coyotes were attracted to cat food put out by local residents who were feeding feral cats. The coyotes began feeding on the colony of feral cats once they learned they learned they were a food source.

Welcome to the Glen Ellyn Backyard Wildlife Program (GEBWP) Blog

The Glen Ellyn Backyard Wildlife Program

The GEBWP began in 1993 as an outreach program for local community members who were interested in providing for desirable wildlife and protecting their environment. The program was founded on the belief that if we all work toward conservation and habitat enhancement on our own properties, we can create a collective wildlife and conservation area. The GEBWP is an outreach program modeled after a national program in which the Village Links of Glen Ellyn participates. The Village Links is a member of the Audubon International Cooperative Sanctuary Program for Golf Courses. The Village Links has been successful in its efforts to provide enhanced wildlife habitat and is designated as a "certified wildlife sanctuary" by Audubon International. The Village Links was the first public golf course in the nation to achieve this certification. Please join us in this important effort.

A Backyard Wildlife Sanctuary

There's a lot you can do right in your own backyard to help desirable wildlife and protect the environment. Whether your property is large or small, you and your family can have fun, enjoy wildlife and participate in a village wide network of people who are improving wildlife habitat by joining the GEBWP.

By adopting simple and enjoyable wildlife and conservation projects where you live, both you and the environment will benefit. Landscaping with the needs of wildlife in mind will add uniqueness and beauty to your home and can increase the value of your property. Indoor conservation projects can provide substantial financial savings while preserving important natural resources.

Whether you are interested in feeding birds, putting up a bird house, incorporating more wildlife habitat in your yard, or conserving water and energy, the GEBWP can help you achieve your goals. As a member of the GEBWP, you'll receive information and guidance to help you begin or expand habitat enhancement and conservation activities at home.

Program Sponsors

The Glen Ellyn Environmental Commission is made up of Glen Ellyn Residents appointed by the Village President to address environmental issues within the Village of Glen Ellyn. The Commission, with the help of former Commission Member Warren Senneke, supported the GEBWP when it was formed in 1992.

The Village of Glen Ellyn Recreation Department operates the Village Links Golf Course, Lambert Lake Nature Preserve and Panfish Park. The Recreation Department participates in the GEBWP as an extension of the Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary Program. The Village of Glen Ellyn Recreation Department receives no tax dollars. All of their income  is generated from the Village Links Golf Course.

This program is run by dedicated volunteers who want to improve the quality of life for all Glen Ellyn residents.

Steward of the Land

As a member steward you will receive information through this blog on a variety of environmental and conservation efforts you can perform in your own backyard. You will also receive updates on what environmental activities are occurring in Glen Ellyn's "Biggest Backyard", The Village Links. To receive blog updates, send your email address to wildlife@villagelinksgolf.com and ask to be notified of our blog updates. We will always respect your privacy and never share your email address with anyone.

Certified Sanctuary

As a member steward, you will have the opportunity to be recognized for your environmental efforts. When you demonstrate you have enhanced your backyard for wildlife, your property will be designated a "certified backyard sanctuary".