Halifax woman encourages DIY nest boxes to help local bird species
listen to this article
estimated 3 minutes
The audio version of this article has been generated by AI-based technology. There may be mispronunciations. We are working with our partners to continually review and improve results.
In an effort to help tree swallows find homes and breed successfully, a woman is encouraging Halifax residents to build and install nest boxes on their properties.
Jessica Ryuzaki said the idea came to her mind one day while she was walking around the city.
“I see a lot of trees being cut down. And it made me think what effect is this having on the animals that live here? Especially the birds,” she said.
“I just remember hearing them chirping every morning. And to me, they are an integral part of our community.”
According to the , populations of tree swallows, as well as other types of aerial insectivores, have been in decline in Nova Scotia and PEI since the 1970s. Canadian Breeding Bird Survey. They are cavity-nesters, which means they prefer to live in holes or crevices inside trees.
Nesting boxes are not a new concept for setting up new homes for birds when there are not enough trees. Ryuzaki said that making it is quite simple and accessible.
“You can probably honestly go to the dollar store and buy a bunch of different pieces. It doesn’t have to be real wood, she said.
She said she spent no more than $20 making her own stuff, and it took her 30 minutes to assemble. The box required scrap wood, an entry door, and a pivoting side panel for easy cleaning.
Tony Millard, president of the Nova Scotia Bird Society, said Ryuzaki pitched the idea to him and he decided to help spread the word on social media.
Millard says nest boxes should be placed in open, sunny, grassy areas. They should be about two meters above the ground so that birds of prey on the ground cannot reach them. To avoid strong winds, its face should be towards south or east.
The project, now officially called Rebirth Nova Scotia, is also sharing templates for people to use when making the boxes.
Millard said these boxes can help other birds in addition to the tree swallows. And there’s a benefit for homeowners who participate, too, he said.
He said, “You must be happy to see swallows flying around your yard. They are eating insects.” “The swallows have a place to nest and raise their young and there are fewer insects in your yard.”
He said winter is the ideal time to build, suggesting people use the time indoors to build nest boxes and install them before April, just before spring when birds will need them.
Ryuzaki said she has already been contacted by several people who want to participate, but she says the actual number won’t be clear to her until the spring, when she goes on a second walk and hopes to see boxes outside in people’s yards.
“It would be absolutely amazing for everyone to set up a box in Halifax. I would love it if that could happen,” he said.
more top stories
