Nest Box Program

   Our Nest Box Program helps native birds.

          Photo by Village Links Staff - Hole #2 - 9 Hole Course

What are cavity nesting birds?

The majority of birds build their nest amidst 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, 2,712 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 18 seasons.