Problems and Solutions

Bird and Bat Nests

The installation of bat houses and bird houses for raptors such as owls and hawks is part of the department's Integrated Pest Management (IPM) Program. Bats and birds are effective predators of insect and vertebrate pests such as moths, ground squirrels, rats and mice. To the extent that these natural predators can reduce our dependence on other chemical and non-chemcial means to reduce pest populations helps in the overall program in managing our pest issues.

To strengthen the fragile environment that remains for beneficial birds after we have adapted an area to ourselves, we use nestboxes to provide a welcome habitat for cavity-nesting predators.

Cavity-nesting birds are particular about the opening size and the shelter's height above ground. Variations of these requirements could lead to predation from other birds and animals. Cornell and other universities, the Audubon Society and other bird organizations provide information about bird's needs. Perches should be avoided on nestboxes.

In addition to boxes installed by the Stanford Grounds Department, three private individuals install and monitor nestboxes on Stanford land. Of the eight nestboxes at Lake Lagunita as of May 2001, three are occupied by titmouse, one by a bluebird, and one by a chickadee. At Lagunita, the nestboxes are mounted ten to fifteen feet above ground to protect from predaceous raccoons, which have learned to recognize fence post-mounted nestboxes.

The reasons for offering bluebirds nestboxes are not only because they are beneficial birds, eating larvae and insects, but also to compensate them for the dead trees and limbs people remove. Dead limbs and dead trees are removed for unsightliness or because they are hazardous, but they are used by birds and insects as habitat.