Submitted by Pam Boyd and Bob Bott on behalf of the Grounds Committee
The Grounds Committee is working to support and increase biological diversity in the coop. We have introduced bee and bat boxes as well as boxes for merlins and kestrels in the trees. Prompted by member’s concerns that encouraging raptors into the coop would be a threat to our songbird population, we invited Katrina Jansen, biologist, Alberta Institute for Wildlife Conservation, for a co-op walk around and discussion on biodiversity in the coop.
Our June 1 meeting with Karen was very useful and informative, and we covered a number of areas.
She confirmed that the preferred prey for merlins and kestrels in our area would be house sparrows and rodents. Chickadees are too small, while robins and flickers are too large. The current magpie population is likely discouraging other birds, and the presence of the raptors would discourage magpies and pigeons, but there would be some decrease in other birds using areas near the raptor nest.
However, there does not appear to be an appropriate location in the co-op for merlin/kestrel boxes because (A) raptors are sensitive to the noise of traffic and mechanical sound from the pump station near the south location (although it might attract a woodpecker), and (B) they themselves can be noisy and aggressive, and boxes should not be placed near a foot path or the play area.
Neither box has been occupied this spring, and we will remove the box near the one-bedroom units, but will leave the one further south in case it does attract a woodpecker.
Other threats to our song bird population are:
Cats. They should be inside, on a leash, or confined to a “catio” cat patio. '
Next biggest threat - crashing into windows. Decals are available from a company called WindowAlert that are highly visible to birds but translucent to humans. They are also sold by Amazon Canada.
Do not feed bread to ducks or other birds. It leads to “angel wing” bone disorders and diabetes.
Bat boxes look good but should be painted black. Bats like heat. It may take a while before bats find them and take up residence. Guano will collect under the boxes; it’s great fertilizer. Location on the pole in the laneway behind 3rd St. looks good.
Bee boxes look great. If more people want them, let us know.
If you don’t want to attract skunks, pick up fruit on the ground; fallen fruit is their favourite food. However, skunks are beneficial because they eat mice and wasps (yes, they eat wasps!), and they will only spray if threatened.
She recommended we plant mountain ash trees, which are good supplemental natural winter feeding sources for songbirds (especially birds like waxwings) and are also a good source of early spring food for migrants such as robins. But we would need to watch for infection and remove them if they get infested with emerald ash borer (beetle whose larvae eat the trees).
One of the merlin-kestrel boxes in a spruce tree (too high, according to Katrina). JP did a lovely job building them.