Setting up the Hawk Eye Nature Cam in an owl house

The owls are back . . . at least that’s the report we’re getting from a lot of our customers. If you have already been watching owls, you know how much fun is in store in the coming months as they lay their eggs, and then the young hatch and, then the parents bring in all those neat little tidbits of food . . . from moths and worms, to birds, mice, and rats. What a show!

If you don't think you are enough to have owls in the backyard, think again. It may simply be because they don’t have a place for them to stay. You will be surprised at how quickly a pair will move in if you’ll take the time to mount an owl house.

Screech owls, Barn owls, Barred owls, Saw -whet owls and a variety of other owls are found in every state in the Union, and many are surprisingly urban. Several years ago one of our customers sent in a picture of a barn owl house attached to the side of a building facing out onto an alley, with a dumpster right below it.
As an added bonus, some of the hawks, such as kestrels,will take up residence, and, of course, the squirrels are also sure to stop by.

For years I’ve watched “my” Screech owls via a Hawk Eye Nature Cam mounted in the inside upper corner of the nest box. The box is only 10-15 feet off our back patio. From that vantage point, however, all we see much of the time is the back of the parents’ head. The only time we get a full view of the chicks is when the parents are out hunting.

Owls are quite comfortable
living close to people.

So, I’ve tried mounting the camera at various positions, with varied results, along the side and the front of the box. Ultimately, I found that high up, on the front edge of the box gives the best view, especially when it comes to feeding time. I also tried a camera at the bottom, front of the box. At this location I did get some spectacular, up close, in your face views of the baby owls eating, but most of the time, someone was sitting nearly on top of the camera, and so the view was only of out of focus feathers. But then again, there were so really spectacular scenes, as you'll see in the video below.

Here’s an easy way of mounting a Hawk Eye Nature Cam in another position other than the inside corner of the box:

1) Buy a 45-degree, 2” PVC elbow at the hardware store. Get the kind that has a straight, non flared leg at one end, and a flared leg on the other.

2) Insert the camera and either screw or Velcro it into place. I screwed mine into a wooden plug that I slipped inside the flared end of the elbow, and then screwed that into place.

3) Use a keyhole drill bit to make a hole in the side of the box. Be sure to keep this plug, so it can be used to reseal the hole if need be.

4) Simply slip the PVC elbow into the hole. You might need to wrap a layer or two of tape around the outside to assure a tight fit. Also tack the camera cable somewhere on the side of the box to help keep the camera in position.

It's not pretty, but this owl house has seen
its fair share of baby owls.

Also remember that all of the action isn’t always inside the nest box. Try mounting a Hawk Eye Nature Cam outside the box, aimed up toward the entrance hole. Because of the camera’s wide angle lens, it doesn’t have to be very far away to capture the arrivals and departures of the parent owls.
Simply take a 1” x 2” x 24” board and screw it diagonally into the bottom of the nest box. Then screw the Hawk Eye into the end. Be sure to cover the camera to protect it from the rain.

To see the four different kinds of views you can expect from these camera positions take a look at our Setting Up an Owl Video Box, video. Also, take a look at our demo video Birdhouse Spy Cam Video  to see the kinds of scenes you can watch and record.

We encourage our customers to share what they are seeing in their owl boxes. Please post comments and video clips on our Facebook page at www.facebook.com/hawkeyecam, or send it to Richard@birdhousespycam.com

Bats & Wind Turbines Don't Mix

By Cory Sober
     With government and environmental groups pushing the "green" agenda, more and more alternative energy sources are being implemented throughout the world. Three widely used alternative energy methods are solar panels, wave energy and wind turbines. However, there are ongoing research studies and field trials trying to find the next great energy source to power our civilization.

     Wind power has proven to be incredibly popular, but as of late, it has come under scrutiny. Although wind turbines are great renewable energy producers, they are having a negative environmental impact. Many dead bats have been found in and around wind farms. Their alarming discovery has sparked new studies by veterinarians, wildlife and ecology specialists, and energy companies aimed at determining cause of death and the possibility of further harm caused the turbines.
     Wind turbines across the nation are closed down from time to time when they endanger the lives of bats. One such closure recently happened when the US Fish and Wildlife Service found a dead bat underneath a turbine. The Indiana Bat is a nearly extinct species and when they are found dead due to non-natural causes, the federal commission gets involved and puts an end to the problem.

     Bats are nocturnal creatures, coming out at night to feed. They fly and hunt by echo-location, which has a range of around sixty feet. When they encounter the fast moving blades of a wind turbine, they are unable to safely maneuver and are often times hit and killed.

    Even when bats aren't directly hit by wind turbine blades, they can still be killed. As wind turbine blades spin, they create a pressure differential. Bats are not able to survive this rapid pressure change, and if they fly through this, it causes their internal organs to explode. This phenomenon is known as Barotrauma and it has been a proven cause of death through autopsies of bats found near wind turbines.

     Although bat deaths have raised concerns over the safety of wind energy farms, there may be a way to prevent such occurrences. There are studies being conducted to determine if noise can be used to deter bats from entering wind farms. Thus far, most studies have shown that acoustic sounds can reduce bat fatalities by upwards of 70%. Hopefully wind farms will take action to prevent harm to wildlife that share the skies.

Cory Sober is the IT Director for UpWind Solutions, a full-service operations and maintenance provider for for utility-scale wind farms. He is part of a highly trained team focused on maximizing long-term productivity of wind turbines, and as a result, delivering a higher return on investment for wind energy projects and turbines.
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Bird House Basics -- Do's and Don'ts

Author:  Angie
Like weather vanes and sundials, bird houses can be as artistic as they are functional.  Bird houses come in many styles, from gaily painted wooden antiques to sleek metal models to plain old wooden ones.  However delightful they may look to you, you'll want to make sure the birds find them attractive as well.  Learn about what birds use bird houses and how to acquire the most success in housing wild birds.


Cavity-Nesting Birds
Only cavity-nesting birds (those that nest in tree hollows) use bird houses.  This group includes bluebirds, chickadees, nuthatches, swallows, and wrens.  The type of bird house you install determines the kinds of birds you\'ll attract.  However, this is a most inexact science as a bird house may be intended for a wren or a bluebird, but it will be fair game for any birds of similar size that find it to their fancy.  This can be a fun feature to providing bird houses in your backyard.
Small Birds
Small birds, such as chickadees, nuthatches, and most wrens, prefer a hole that\'s 1 1/8 inches across.  Medium-size birds, such as bluebirds, swallows, and purple martins, need a nest box with a hole 1 ½ inches wide.  White-breasted nuthatches need a 1 ¼ inch opening.


Larger Birds
Larger birds, such as flickers and kestrels, take boxes with 2 ½ inch entry holes.  Flickers usually like to dig out their own nests, but sometimes you can attract them with a large nest box.  If you happen to fill it with wood chips, they'll dig it right out.

Do's & Don'ts
To keep bird houses safe from raccoons and cats, mount the bird houses atop metal poles.  If you want to put a bird house in a tree, hang it from a branch.   If you supply bird feeders in your yard keep the bird houses away from the feeders.  Mealtime can make nesting birds nervous and scare them off.  Wherever you plan on putting your bird house make sure the entrance is facing away from any prevailing weather.  You can also remove the perch if your bird house comes with one; they are unnecessary and house sparrows may sit on them to heckle birds inside the bird house.  When choosing a bird house make sure it\'s made of good insulated material.  Bird houses made out of at least 1-inch-thick wood usually is good insulation.  If you make your own bird house, steer away from using plastic milk cartons as they are too thin and have poor ventilation.  The heat created with this kind of material can bake chicks inside or make them fledge too early from your bird house.  You\'ll want to make sure you can easily clean bird houses so look for an opening at the top or side of the house.  Also drain holes in the bottom of your bird houses and ventilation holes high in the sides of the house for summer heat are good things to watch for.  Bird houses should be up before migrant season begins around late February because they will be looking for nesting sites soon after they arrive.  And lastly, if you decide to put up more than one bird house keep them well separated and out of site from one another.  Just like humans, birds most like their space!


These bird house basics should get you off on the right foot.  After deciding which types of birds you want to attract and choosing the right bird house for them, you should start to see a more active wild life in your backyard.  Providing bird houses in your lawn or garden is a delightful hobby.  Enjoy picking out your bird house or bird houses because there are a lot to choose from.

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/bird-watching-articles/bird-house-basics-dos-donts-2863381.html

Cornell Ornithology Mini-grants available

From the folks at Birding Education, comes news that the Cornell Lab of Ornithology's "Celebrate Urban Birds" project is accepting applications for mini-grants to fund neighborhood events that promote an appreciation for birds and nature. Grants average $250-$500.

Celebrate Urban Birds mini-grants could be used to support a bird-activity day at a local museum, afterschool program, library, or community center, or fund art and gardening activities at clubs, businesses, schools, senior centers, or neighborhoods. Events or projects could feature activities involving birds, community service, art, greening, and science. Participants are encouraged to collect simple information about common birds and report to the Cornell Lab.

To learn more, download a flyer, and apply for a mini-grant, visit www.CelebrateUrbanBirds.org. Organizations working with underserved communities are strongly encouraged to apply. No experience with birds is required.

Deadline to apply is December 15, 2011

The best gift ever . . . teaching the kids to birdwatch

by:
Julie Souto

Bird watching for children is one of those great activities that not only helps

instill the value, love, and respect for animals but ultimately can teach them to become nature-wise. It's also simply a great way of spending quality time with them.

What you need:
Before you go bird watching with the kids, it will be a big help if you yourself have a first-hand experience in the activity. Search on the Internet for best places in your area to do bird watching with children. Once you find one or two pay a visit before bring the children.

Check if the entire area is safe for children. If you are having doubts it is best to talk to the administrator of the park or the preserve to make sure that they have enough facilities to take care of kids. Also, ask what are the things that you need to bring when going there.

Also check to see if there are any fees, how many kids are allowed to bird watch, and if there are any age requirements. When everything is done and you are confident that your child will be safe while bird watching, book a tour date if possible.

On the date of the bird watching activity, make sure that you bring the following:

1. A good pair of binoculars for kids. This is very important because the center might not provide or have enough binoculars for visitors. To ensure that the kids can use something, grab a good yet cheap pair of binoculars when you are in the birding or department store.

2. A bird book or field guide. Although many bird or wildlife reserves offer booklets that contain information on the birds that can be seen there, it is best to bring your own guide book just in case nothing is available. The guide book can help your kids identify the common birds in the area and help in describing the birds based on their appearance, color, size, and shape.

3. Bottled water and snacks. Since kids tend to get hungry often, it is best if you bring lots of bottled water and handy snack packs just in case no convenience store is near the area.

4. First aid kit. This should always be a must whenever you go out with your kids because they can be so accident-prone. Make sure that you include a first aid kit in your child's backpack to make sure that you can tend to the wound or scratch immediately.

5. A camera. This is also a 'must' when going out with kids because it can preserve all those great moments of discovery. Turning the camera over to your kids and letting them photograph the birds they see is also a great way of getting them to actively participate in your outing.

6. A notebook or sketchpad with pens or pencils. One of the benefits of bird watching for children is that it encourages them to jot down their observations. These can also be helpful to artistically-inclined children because it encourages them to draw the birds that they see.

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/pets-articles/your-kids-and-bird-watching--783410.html

About the Author

Learn about merlin bird and bird adaptations at the About Animals site.

Bird & Wildlife Video Cams . . . Making the Right Choice

“Video streaming is huge!” “Video streaming nesting birds is where it’s at.” “Video streaming is the next big thing.”

Huge? The next big thing? Well, one thing you can say about birders who either watch live video streams of nesting birds or better yet, do it themselves is . . . well they are a very enthusiastic bunch.

The idea is a simple one. Take a video camera, put it in a bluebird house, or owl house or aim it at bird feeders; connect the camera to a computer and log onto a streaming service, such as ustream.tv, and presto, people from around the world can tune in and watch what’s going on, live in your back yard.

And, of course, it is also fine if you simply want to keep your viewing private and just sit in your easy chair watching whatever your camera is aimed at.

In either case, you need a good video camera to bring all the action inside, and that’s where Birdhouse Spy Cam has things covered. We have a variety of miniature video cameras, each designed to address a particular need of birders and wildlife enthusiasts who want to watch what is happening outside 24/7.

Knowing a little bit about the five nature cams Birdhouse Spy Cam now offers will go a long way in not only saving you money and frustration, but greatly increase your bird and wildlife viewing enjoyment.

Here’s a quick run down of each of our five nature cam’s features and their strengths and weaknesses.

Original Hawk Eye Nature Cam:

• Small . . . thumb sized

• Color video

• Sound from built in microphone

• IR night vision for round the clock viewing

• Variable focus lens

• Sun shade

• Hard wired with 100’ of cable.



Simply mount camera, adjust focus – you can literally see finger prints or focus out to infinity – run the cable to the nearest TV or computer, and plug it into the audio-and video- in jacks. A 12-volt power adapter plugs into the cable to power the camera.

Advantages: simple plug and play setup, instant live video and sound. Focus on anything whether it be birds, wildlife, horses and livestock, etc. IR Night Vision allows for round the clock viewing. IR night vision does not bother birds or other wildlife. Ideal for inside bird houses, bat houses, and other low-light areas.

Shortcomings: Because the Hawk Eye is sensitive to infrared light, on bright, sunny days, the natural infrared coming from vegetation such as flowers, trees, and grass overwhelms the camera, producing pale, untrue colors. This is not a problem on overcast days or in shaded areas.

Hawk Eye Nature Cam Wireless:   

The functions, capabilities, advantages and disadvantages of the Hawk Eye Wireless are exactly the same at the original Hawk Eye. This is a specialized camera designed to overcome one shortcoming of the original; namely getting the audio/video cable from the camera to the television.

“Wireless” is a bit of a misnomer as all such “wireless” cameras must still get electrical power, which can only be practically done with a power cable. “Wireless” refers to the transmission of the audio and video (AV) signals from the camera to a receiver connected to the television.

So, where can a wireless camera be of use? Here’s the easiest scenario to understand. A school has blue bird houses on the other side of the playground. It is impossible to run the cable of the original Hawk Eye Nature Cam across the playground for obvious reasons. Fortunately, on the same side of the playground as the bluebird house, there is a utility shed, wired for electricity. The teacher can therefore put the camera in a bluebird house – or by bird feeders for that matter – connect the camera to an outlet in the shed, and then beam the AV signals across the playground to the camera’s receiver connected to the classroom television.

Advantages: Can broadcast AV to a television that can not be connected directly to the camera.

Disadvantages: AV signals can be degraded by distance, atmospheric conditions, and even the structure of the building itself. The Hawk Eye Wireless should be considered only if all other connectivity options are not possible. Reception is always better through a hard wired camera.

The Hawk Eye Nature Cam Unplugged:

The functions, capabilities, advantages and disadvantages of the Hawk Eye unplugged are exactly the same as the original Hawk Eye.

Advantages: Can easily be unplugged from its 100’ cable and be taken inside for the winter.

Disadvantages: Large bundle of camera and cable connectors is impossible to put inside a small birdhouse. These have to be left outside a small house which might not be too esthetically pleasing, plus may have weather issues if the connectors are not thoroughly waterproofed.

The Hawk Eye Nature Cam Unplugged is a great choice for Wood duck and owl boxes where there is plenty of room to tuck the cable connections inside.

The Red Robin Nature Cam:

This is the perfect cam for daylight use around flower gardens, hummingbird feeders, bird feeders, bird baths, etc.

Red Robin has:

• Miniature thumb sized

• Color video

• Sound from built in microphone

• Variable focus lens

• Comes with 100’ of detachable cable.



Advantages: Best color saturation in daylight. Perfect for capturing rich, full color in the garden. Can be unplugged for easy moving and storage.

Disadvantages: No night vision. For daylight hours only.

The Night Owl

• Small, thumb sized

• B&W video

• Sound from built in microphone

• Hard wired with 100’ of cable.

A bare-bones camera at bargain basement pricing. Fills a niche for viewing during daylight hours when having color is not an issue.

Pick the right feeder to attract the right birds

by Nicole Roberts

     Bird enthusiasts know that there are certain outdoor bird feeders that work better at attracting the right birds. Depending on your region and outdoor space, you want to make sure that you find the right bird feeders for your feathered friends. Knowing which types of feeders and birdseed to purchase will help ensure you can enjoy watching your birds year round.

     One of the most important things to keep in mind when buying outdoor bird feeders is to purchase several different types to attract a full range of birds. There are different types of feeders specific to different seed, and each bird has a preference. Tube feeders have large holes that you can fill with sunflower seeds. These are a good choice for cardinals, blue jays and chickadees. Thistle seed will attract goldfinch and other small birds, fed in one of the smaller holed bird feeders. Hopper feeders are a good choice for outdoor bird feeders; they can not only hold a lot of food, but also attract a wide range of birds. These are usually pole mounted or hung from a branch.

     The things to watch out for with a hopper feeder are mold, since many designs are not waterproof. This problem can be easily tackled by drilling holes for water to drain. These are also tempting not only to birds, but to squirrels as well.

      Some designs are supposedly squirrel proof, but squirrel resistant might be a better word. Watch  your squirrels learn how to outsmart the bird feeder is almost more fun than the birds themselves.

     Hummingbird feeders are a simple outdoor feeder that will eventually attract a few of these mysterious birds. Some bird watchers have more hummers than they can keep up with, while others have only one or two visit their feeders. Once a hummingbird knows where to come, you can sit nearby and watch them whiz by. These feeders are easy to fill with sweet red nectar and possibly some red flowers to increase the temptation. 

     When choosing your outdoor bird feeders, keep in mind that it will take

 a little time for the word to get out that you have opened a new bird restaurant. In order to draw birds, you might want to keep some bread on the ground to attract a few to the feeder area. Once it has been discovered, you will see more birds flocking by for a snack.

      If you are not working in a limited space, such as a patio, consider adding bird baths to your bird feeders as well. Birds need a place to cool off and drink, and  bird baths provide aesthetic appeal and functionality for your bird feeding area.

     Beginning bird watchers can get simple joy with one feeder hanging from a patio ceiling, but you might quickly discover that you want to attract a full range of birds. This is one hobby that tends to be a little addictive, and you might just find that you have bird books, binoculars and a full dinner buffet for the colorful friends that come visit your outdoor bird feeders. Go ahead and go to the birds - and they will come to you.