1/3/2012 7:01 AM
With the cold temperatures my thoughts turn to the birds (literally). Winter is a good time to make repairs on your bird houses. If no repairs are needed, at least clean any old nest out that remain from last year. What many of you may not realize is some birds roost in bird houses at night during the winter. Sometimes as many as 15 Eastern Bluebirds will huddle up in one house. I have seen them roost in houses and gourds for Purple Martins during the winter even on nights that are not very cold.
If you bring your bird houses into the shop to repair them, only bring in a few at a time to repair. That way the birds will still have a warm roosting place for the night. If you have several bird houses on the golf course, it is unlikely every one of them will have birds roosting in them at night.
David Stone
The Honors Course
Chattanooga, Tn.