Nesting Box Establishment

Overview

Nesting boxes are important to some species that have lost many natural nesting sites due to habitat destruction. Old dead or dying trees are important natural nesting sites for these birds.

Cavity Nesting Species in Prince Edward Island

• Chickadees
• Flickers
• Bluebirds
• Nuthatches
• Tree swallows
• Barred owls
• Saw-whet owls
• Kestrels

Specially designed nesting boxes are also beneficial to bats and flying squirrels.

Definition

The placement of nesting boxes to be utilized as temporary nesting sites to enhance areas with few, or unsuitable, natural cavities (i.e. cavity trees) are present until these areas have natural cavities.

Eligibility Criteria

• A forest management plan which meets minimum requirements as specified by the Department of Environment, Energy and Climate Action
• Trees present that are large enough to accommodate a nest box, specific to the target species
• One tree should also be girdled near the nest box

Guidelines and Assessment Procedures

Shall meet the eligibility criteria for this treatment listed above.

Design Requirements

The PEI Forest Wildlife Manual has designs for potential nest boxes that could be established. Nest box designs must meet size standards for the desired species and be placed according to appropriate height and entrance hole aspect.

Installation Standards

• Damage to the tree should be minimal
• It is preferred that nesting boxes are to be attached to trees using wooden dowels or aluminum nails
• The nesting boxes may be established in the area under the forest management plan at a number dependent on the species at a maximum of 2/ha

Maintenance Requirements

The landowner will be responsible for having the nesting boxes cleaned every year (Refer to PEI Forest Wildlife Manual on the government website).

Assistance:

Two nesting boxes per ha per species to a maximum of 10 per forest management plan.

Girdling Adjacent Trees

Girdling a tree near the nest box creates future natural cavity trees as the tree dies and decays. This provides long-term habitat while the artificial nest box serves as a temporary solution.