The next phase of the Parrot project was in full swing at Harlingen High School

The students and several teachers all worked together to install two of the nest boxes

The boxes were installed into pipe sleeves so they will be easy to take down for cleaning and inspection

Up Up and Away! The boxes are ready for tenants! The High School is the perfect place to have these nest boxes. There is a reported population of birds here and plenty of "up and coming" ornithologists willing to keep watch!

 That is FIVE areas that the nest boxes are now installed.

 - Rio Hondo Road, Police Station, Paradise RV Park, Elks Club, HRL High School South - 

 FOUR different mounting techniques:  dead palm trunk bundles, live palm trunk mounting, utility pole mounting, and metal freestanding poles.

This should give all of us a good read on which mounting they prefer.

My thanks to all of you who participated in the work needed to make this project a reality.

Elks Lodge Install

After careful consideration and discussion the installation process of the Parrot Houses has begun!! Sites were considered by identifying locations that would give the birds the best chance to find and use our offerings. First Up the Elks Lodge.

 Safety First! It is always a good idea to have the right tool for any job. Here you can see that not only do they have the right equipment they know how to use it!
 Pictured here are Danny Hoehne RGBF President, and
Gene Hanvy RGVBF Volunteer.

 Securing the nest box to the pole....
One of the other considerations discussed when setting up installation sites, was to be sure the nest boxes were in locations where they can be monitored. This spot fits the bill on all requirements. We are happy to have the Elks Lodge as a partner in this project.

 Our sincere thanks to Stan Sterba for his photography of the installations. Having a record and being able to share our progress is very important. I have several folks from around the world interested in the progress of our project. This shot is a great capture Stan!! I love the way you were able to get the flags, the sign and the nest box with the bucket in the foreground!

 And now we wait to see if our offerings will meet the birds approval.
 There are so many good people who have been working on this project for several months, It would be hard for me to list all of you....  I do wish to express my thanks to each and every one you involved.
What started with a few questions at the Rio Grande Birding Festival 2011, has blossomed into a grand experiment!!
Keep up the good work and thanks for your commitment!

Not Just Parrots...

On My last trip to South Texas I did capture some of the other locals

Buff Bellied Hummingbird

 I really liked this shot. One white Winged Dove landed on the top of the pole. 

Then another one tried to land on him!!

The striking yellow colors of the Great Kiskadee are unmistakable.
 This bird is fairly common in the lower Rio Grande Valley

Pick Six

So here is the finished line up that will make its way to South Texas later this month! I added Two more "test" houses that are a bit shorter.

 Now it will be up to these guys to tell us which one they prefer!

New Paint Job

The final step in construction was to see how/if I could mimic the bark on a palm tree. I do confess I am not much of an artist. I asked for some advice from my son after the first go around..

His comment " You can do better"...

 I think we did. We worked together to streak the paint and this is the final finish.

 Here is the completed line up. Two 8x8x36 and Two 10x10x36. If I get time I am going to try and finish a couple more before delivery to Harlingen.

Nest Box Construction

 In my humble workshop the plans were drawn up and construction began over the Christmas Holiday 2011. Many thanks to Nate Skinner,  Matt Denton, and Donald Brightsmith who all provided valuable information to steer me in the right direction.

 The design is a combination of advise from others, and my desire for a functional product. Each box has a side door for inspection on or cleaning. The sides are both nailed and screwed . Inside of each box are footholds  to make entry and exit easier, although the way I see them hanging upside down on all kind of things I would not think climbing is a problem!

 I opted to try two sizes to start 10in x 10in x 36in ...and one 8in x 8in x 36in. The  entrance hole is 3 inches....."just right"??... We will see!

 I reinforced the bottoms using much thicker 3/4 inch wood. It seen all that in all the old nest boxes I have  seen, the first thing to go is the bottom. Each corner is trimmed to allow drainage. The sides are made from 1/2 in plywood. The top extension for hanging has  a cedar board front and back to help hold the bigger box.

A base coat of grey to seal the wood has been applied and I am going to try and mimic the rings on a palm tree with darker paint.

The Start of A GREAT New Year!

  I  really got started on this project last summer while chasing around the RGV looking for  a good camera shots and became intrigued with the parrot population

 I ended up this fall in McAllen and found birds...Parrots and Parakeets roosting all over the high line wires! So while at the RGV Birding event I met some great folks from the Arroyo Colorado Audubon Society

 My question was..."where do they nest?" As a Bird House Guy..I wanted to know if they would nest in a man made box.....so the project was born!

 Our goal is to have input from as many people as possible and have some "test" houses up early this spring. Lets hope we have a shot like this with his head poking out of an East Fork Bird Parrot box!