Bird Boxes Provide Much-Needed Nesting Habitat for Native Species

Under the technical guidance of ecologist and NREF board member Jessica Druze, and with the assistance of NREF member and volunteer Jim Boyd, local Scouts from Scouting America Troop 61 have installed new bird boxes throughout the wildlife preserve surrounding the Lighthouse Center for Natural Resource Education.

These bird boxes will provide native birds a home in an area where there is a shortage of ideal places to nest. Fifteen bird boxes were constructed and installed to benefit barn owls, wood ducks, eastern bluebirds, white-breasted nuthatches, and prothonotary warblers. The bird box specifications and placement follow the Cornell Lab of Ornithology NestWatch guidelines to meet the specific requirements of each species.

Special thanks to Eagle Scout Ethan Longo for dedicating his Eagle Scout Service Project to helping enhance native bird habitat at the Lighthouse Center.