Hi Birdwatchers!

This mockingbird is panting to keep cool, and has its feathers raised allow better air circulation

This summer has been a real scorcher here in Georgia and it is taking a toll on our local birds - especially the young of second broods.  Many songbirds in our area  nest twice a year, once during April through early June, and again in late June into mid August. Scientists such as Dr. Renee Carleton of Berry College, are noticing a higher mortality rate for second broods this year. As part of her research on Eastern Bluebirds, Dr. Carleton has been taking temperature readings inside nest boxes and some are approaching 120 degrees! Many birds are choosing not to even attempt second broods.  Combine that with nests lost due to high winds during our frequent summer storms, and it has not been a good year for songbird reproduction.  Keep your fingers crossed for American Goldfinches, who are very late breeders, nesting from July through the end of September.  We hope that this heat wave will end soon!

What can we do to help?  Well, we certainly can't change the temperatures, but we can make sure nest boxes are well-made and properly ventilated.  Give your cavity-nesting birds a couple of box locations from which to choose, placing a few in shady locations when possible.  Be careful when pruning trees and bushes - don't remove important shade cover around nests. Make sure to provide clean, fresh water in your birdbaths.  Supplement live mealworms and fruit such as red grapes so parent birds don't have to spend as much time and energy searching for insects and fruit. Short-term population fluctuations are normal, and hopefully next summer won't be so dang hot!  

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