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| Support Local Education & Conservation January General Meeting Christmas Bird Count December 29 Pee Wee Audubon Thank You Volunteer Opportunities Midweek Refuge Trip Pee Wee Report Observations Midweek Walkabout Results Birding Classes Fall Campout Mayacamas Sanctuary Update Think Birdathon Visit the Amazing Central Valley Refuges Welcome New Members Prepare Next Boxes Now The Winter of the Red-breasted Nuthatch | Prepare Nest Boxes NowIt's not too soon to be thinking about next spring's breeding season. Winter isthe time to put up new nest boxes, so they become an established part of thebirds' environment before the search for nesting sites begins. Previous years'nests need to be cleaned out of their boxes so they are ready for newresidents.Some commercially-sold nest boxes can't be opened for inspection or cleaning,or may not be the right design for the birds you wish to attract. Consulting agood reference book can improve your prospects for a successful nesting. A fewof them are The Bluebird Book and The Complete Birdhouse Book,both by Donald and Lillian Stokes, Sunset's Illustrated Guide to AttractingBirds, and National Audubon's The Bird Garden: A Comprehensive Guide toAttracting Birds to Your Backyard Throughout the Year. Madrone Audubon volunteers are now building hand-crafted nest boxes suitablefor the Western Bluebird, Plain Titmouse, Violet-green Swallow, TreeSwallow, Ash-throated Flycatcher, or House Finch. The boxes areavailable at our regular membership meeting for just $10, or can be ordered bysending a check for $20, along with your name, address, and phone number, toBird House, Madrone Audubon Society, Post Office Box 1911, Santa Rosa,California 95402. The box will be mailed to you or, if you wish, a volunteercan deliver and even mount it for you. |