Tifft Nature Preserve Management Plan - Buffalo Museum of Science
Tifft Nature Preserve Management Plan - Buffalo Museum of Science
Tifft Nature Preserve Management Plan - Buffalo Museum of Science
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Habitat Improvements<br />
Nest Boxes and Structures<br />
Nest boxes and bird houses create great wildlife viewing opportunities and have<br />
been valuable tools in the conservation <strong>of</strong> species such as Wood Ducks and Eastern<br />
Bluebirds. Nest boxes are important for birds when natural nest sites are scarce and<br />
also provide safe nesting sites protected from predators. There are currently many nest<br />
boxes across <strong>Tifft</strong> <strong>Nature</strong> <strong>Preserve</strong> with most placed in the cattail marsh and on the<br />
mounds. Some <strong>of</strong> these nest boxes are used by a variety <strong>of</strong> bird species, but many are<br />
severely weathered and in need <strong>of</strong> repair or replacement. A complete inventory and<br />
assessment <strong>of</strong> the existing nest boxes and then developing a well thought out nest box<br />
plan is one <strong>of</strong> the easiest and best options for enhancing wildlife habitat and viewing<br />
opportunities at the preserve. The inventory, construction <strong>of</strong> new boxes, and annual<br />
monitoring and cleaning are activities well suited for school children, scout groups and<br />
volunteers.<br />
There are many designs for nest boxes and the most important factor in deciding<br />
on a design is to build a nest box with a bird species in mind. Different birds will use<br />
nest boxes <strong>of</strong> different sizes and shapes and there is no design suitable for all birds. A<br />
generic bird house may not fit the needs <strong>of</strong> desired bird species and they are <strong>of</strong>ten used<br />
by non-native species such as European Starlings or House Sparrows. All new nest<br />
boxes at the preserve should be designed and placed in appropriate habitats for a<br />
particular species. Below are some <strong>of</strong> the species that may use nest boxes at <strong>Tifft</strong><br />
<strong>Nature</strong> <strong>Preserve</strong>:<br />
Wood Duck<br />
Eastern Bluebird<br />
Tree Swallow<br />
Purple Martin<br />
American Kestrel<br />
Eastern Screech Owl<br />
Barn Owl<br />
House Wren<br />
White-breasted Nuthatch<br />
Black-capped Chickadee<br />
Tufted Titmouse<br />
Great-crested Flycatcher<br />
Woodpeckers<br />
There are other important factors <strong>of</strong> a well designed nest box. Annual cleaning is<br />
part <strong>of</strong> nest box maintenance and boxes should have a way to be easily opened. Many<br />
<strong>of</strong> the current boxes can’t be opened and do not allow for cleaning without disassembly.<br />
Another benefit <strong>of</strong> easy access inside the box is for monitoring. Nest boxes can be<br />
checked for use by non-native undesirable bird species, monitored for nesting success,<br />
and used for educational programs with small groups. Predator guards, either mounted<br />
on the front <strong>of</strong> the box or on the support pole, are also common features <strong>of</strong> nest boxes<br />
that successfully fledge young birds.<br />
In addition to nest boxes and bird houses, there are other structures that can be<br />
built for birds that do not nest in boxes. There are Osprey platforms on the shores <strong>of</strong><br />
Lake Kirsty and Lisa Pond, but Ospreys have never been documented nesting at the<br />
<strong>Tifft</strong> <strong>Nature</strong> <strong>Preserve</strong> <strong>Management</strong> <strong>Plan</strong> 45