Country Ecology: Cavity tree excavation

Folks often readily come to my bluebird lectures, in hopes of learning to design the ultimate birdhouse, but I utilize this fascination with gaining nesting bluebirds to expand the talk about all cavity nesters. A properly constructed nest-box mimics the dimensions of a desirable natural cavity.

The availability of cavities of various sizes in the woodlot’s habitat is the limiting factor for the reproduction of many species. We have learned the bigger the cavity tree, the better — as wood duck, common and hooded mergansers, common goldeneyes, barred owls, and pileated woodpeckers all need these in the 18-20-inch diameters. Obviously, these are uncommon.