[birding] Fwd: PURPLE MARTINS, Oyster shell

[Joel Geier]

Hi all,

This is a forwarded posting from OBOL, with just a quick comment from
me: 

I wonder if the martins around Pat's place are also finding snags with
natural cavities, since logging operations seem to be leaving more of
those standing when they log these days (in the Cascades foothills of
Linn Co., as well as the ones that Midvalley birders have been noticing
in Benton & Polk Co). 

My Santiam BBS route ends in a clearcut on north of Lacomb (just 3 or 4
miles from Pat's place, I think), which has some "habitat snags" left
standing that are used in some years by Purple Martins -- though like
the ones just past the end of Linda Fink's route, I seldom get to count
them for the survey.

Happy birding,
Joel

--

From: Pat Waldron <puma AT smt-net.com>
Date: Fri, 16 Jul 2010 13:17:47 -0700
Dear Folks,

	Three weeks ago I put out about 15 pounds of crushed oyster-shell in  
my empty vegetable garden in an open area that can be seen from  
above.. As I turned to walk away, the first bird down to eat it was a  
female PURPLE MARTIN. Second bird down was a female WESTERN BLUEBIRD,  
then, SWALLOWS, BARN, ROUGH WING, VIOLET-GREEN, and TREE.

	Now there are about 10 PURPLE MARTINS (PUMA) here daily to eat the  
oyster-shell. I have 10 PUMA nest boxes up but they are not  
interested. I figure they are nesting elsewhere, as there are loggers  
and farmers in my area that put up PUMA nest boxes. I have about 150  
nest boxes for BLUEBIRDS and SWALLOWS, and the SWALLOWS, especially  
the TREES chase the PUMA if they get close to "their nest box  
territory". I think the PUMA probably enjoy peace and quiet away from  
the SWALLOWS. But I keep the PUMA nest boxes up just in case. One year  
I had 5 baby PUMA fledglings in late August.

	MOUNTAIN QUAIL have two different families, of different ages here.  
I counted 35 babies crossing a path in the garden. These baby Quail  
are very independent, straying quite far from MOM. There are also  
large female COOPER'S, NORTHERN HARRIER, and a SHARPIE that would  
like quail, and other baby birds for a meal, so I keep my distance as  
this is a vulnerable time for them, especially if they get separated.

	There is another pair of CALIFORNIA QUAIL in the veggie garden that  
probably have a nest among the overgrown collards. Collards make a  
great, quick habitat for ground nesters, and the mature collard seed  
is good food for all. If anyone is interested in collard habitat,  
"Georgia" collards are the best variety, and is sold by Park Seeds.

	Pat Waldron
	East of Scio


--
Joel Geier
Camp Adair area north of Corvallis