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July 13, 2006 - On the trail of bluebirds'Hey, I'm down here: 'Where have you been ?' or 'Over here: y The Suffolk Times • July 13, 2006. 9A Sullolk 1 m�es I:holns by Barbara Stoutwburgh About time!' On the trail of bluebirds KNOWING THAT DR. William Zitek, a retired Southold veterinarian, was involved in a detailed study of nest- ing bluebirds on Shelter Island, I just had to ask him if Barbara FOCUS and I could tag ON along when his group went out [o check on NATURE h [e 37 bluebird by Paul boxes they sur- Stoutenburgh vey each week. He was more than agreeable, but he made the suggestion that we make a date after the young were hatched. That was fine with us. Over the past five years they have fledged 111 bluebirds and 399 tree swallows on the island. One of the problems bluebirds are having is that tree swallows and house sparrows think bluebird boxes are pretty nice and they'll fight any rival that tries to take over once they have settled in. We got a call from the good doc- tor telling us his bluebirds were hatching and this might be a good time to head over to the island and see the operation. There is always something special about going W Shelter Island. I guess the word unique might best describe it. Our rendezvous was on that won- derful Nature Conservancy preserve at Mashomack, with its woods, ver- nal ponds, meadows, and miles of salt marshes and shore- front. Sure enough, when we arrived, there was our group. Dr, Zitek and two volunteers had al- ready checked some of the bluebird boxes and were anxious to show us around. Dr. Zitek was the best - dressed leader you could ask tor. He Dr. William Zitek, left, checking bird box Number 30. Below right, reflecting young In box with a hand mirror. Far left below, bluebird with food for young. looked so "just right." The two volunteers were keeping records as they moved along and meticulously entered the important data for each num- bered box. There are 12 volunteers who share the chores each week and most consider it a wonder- ful chance to experi- ence the workings of nature. Each box has a hinged side or front so the volunteer can record firsthand what is going on. When "Box is filled with sticks but Over the past five years they have fledged 111 bluebirds and 399 tree swallows. 7we Grocery Delivery • Catering Customized Meal Preparation 477 -8803 • Fresh Organic Produce • Vitamins • Fresh Bread • Bulk Grains & Pasta • Dried Fruit & Nuts • Organic Meat & Poultry • Teas & Coffee • Personal Care • Chips & Snacks • Cereals • Interesting Company • Great Views • Delicious Organic & Vegetarian: soups, salads, sandtuiches, juices 130 Front Street, Greenport Sunday- Thursday 10 - 5 • Friday 10 - 7 • Saturday 9 - 9 no owner" is written down, that indicates the work of a house wren. Why the wrens persist in filling bird boxes and not using them is anyone's guess. And so the morning slipped by as we visited box after box. We noticed each box had another box nearby. This was to satisfy the tree swallow, which, once it has claimed a box, will chase any other swallow away, leaving the other box available for bluebirds. So travel with us through our photographs, taken by Barbara, as we visit a bluebird trail on Shel- ter Island. emple Israel of Riverhead MknM,r tn.m.,ro.. a „nrH ou like to learn more about Sunday agogue, meet our Rabbi and July 23, 2006 from our congregation? If you sidering membership, 2:00 p.m. oin us for a Rain or shine. [an Fuse wll to reserve r i ee u e space: need to ho know how many kosher hot dogs [o e 4— e w wwnw memb• a pop on the grill. rft. FrMa 7:W p. m. IolloweGb Sbabb. Selu,da 9:00 e. m. 1.1W ­d d K,cdd ah. A C0r1Sa /Vafl9 epalJarrMr COlapgdpM We vrekom• guasb. 490 Norinvdle To mpike m nstraneor A” P.O. hex 1531. Rnerhea . NY 11901 ..,w, tea�wamraeo-ro�haaa wg (631) 727 -3191 i The Suffolk Times • July 13, 2006 f bl KNOWING THAT DR. William Zitek, a retired Southold veterinarian, was involved in a detailed study of nest- ing bluebirds on Shelter Island, I just had to ask him if Barbara FOCUS and I could tag O N along when his group went out NATURE to check on the 37 bluebird by Paul boxes they.sur- Stoutenburgh vey each week. He was more than agreeable, but he made the suggestion that we make a date after the young were hatched. That was fine with us. Over the past five years they have fledged 111 bluebirds and 399 tree swallows on the island. One of the problems bluebirds are having is that tree swallows and house svarrows think bluebird boxei nth ird trai Dr. William Zitek, left, checking bird box Number 30. Below right, reflecting young in box with a hand mirror. Far left below, bluebird with food for young. r w N � l Hey, I'm down here: are pretty nice and they'll fight any rival that tries to take over once they have settled in. We got a call from the good doc- tor telling us his bluebirds were hatching and this might be a good time to head over to the island and see the operation. There is always something special about going to Shelter Island. I guess the word unique might best describe it. Our rendezvous was on that won- derful Nature Conservancy preservf at Mashomack, with its woods ve - nal ponds, meadows, and miles of salt OV marshes and shore- front. Sure enough, yea when we arrived, fled there was our group. and 399 t Dr. Zitek and two volunteers had al- ready checked some of the bluebird boxes and were anxious to show us around. Dr. Zitek was the best - �drem d leader you could ask for. HE 'Where have you been ?' here: looked so "just right." The two volunteers were keeping records as they moved along and meticulously entered the important data for each num- bered box. There are 12 volunteers who share the chores birds each week and most swallo WS. consider it a wonder - ul chance to experi- nce the workings of nature. Each box has a hinged side or front so the volunteer can record firsthand what is going on. When "Box is filled with sticks but er the past five rs they have ged 111 blue ree Suffolk Times photos by Barbara 'About time!' no owner" is written down, that indicates the work of a house wren. Why the wrens persist in filling bird boxes and not using them is anyone's guess. And so the morning slipped by as we visited box after box. We noticed each box had another box nearby. This was to satisfy the tree swallow, which, once it has claimed a box, will chase any other swallow away, leaving the other box available for bluebirds. So travel with us through our photographs, taken by Barbara, as we visit a bluebird trail on Shel- ter Island.