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Spring is just around the corner – of the nest box
DNREC Division of Fish & Wildlife's annual screech owl banding
project and cleanup of owls' nesting habitat becomes a harbinger
 More than 350 nesting boxes at state wildlife areas throughout Delaware are amidst their annual spring cleaning by DNREC Division of Fish and Wildlife staff. Perched high on predator-proof poles at heights from six to 30 feet above the ground or water in forested wetlands, the boxes are designed primarily for wood ducks, but also can provide perfect nesting and roosting places for screech owls. These secretive nocturnal creatures help keep nature in balance by feeding on small mammals such as mice, insects, birds, amphibians such as salamanders and frogs, and sometimes fish.
Screech owls are tiny red or gray raptors, about the size of the adult human hand. The owls seldom build their own nests, preferring instead to adopt woodpecker holes or natural cavities in large trees. Screech owls also use manufactured nesting boxes, including wood duck boxes and boxes designed especially for them. “For many years, we have been helping to provide screech owls with safe nesting and roosting areas,” said Kent County Regional Wildlife Manager Wayne Lehman, DNREC Division of Fish and Wildlife. “The annual winter cleaning provides us with the opportunity to band roosting owls and record important data that’s used to help assess the overall health of the species. Throughout the year, we encourage the public not to open the boxes because owls will abandon their nests if disturbed by humans.”
DNREC’s screech owl banding program was initiated in 1993 to provide Delaware scientists with information on the owls’ lifespan, home range, habitat preferences, nest box loyalty and migration patterns. The banding serves as a key research tool to assess impacts to the species caused by the loss of their natural habitat through increases in land development. |
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DNREC Fish & Wildlife Enforcement Blotter: May 14-21DOVER (May 24, 2013) – To achieve public compliance through education and enforcement actions that help conserve Delaware’s fish and wildlife resources and ensure safe boating and public safety, DNREC Division of Fish & Wildlife Enforcement agents between May 14 and 21 made 2,019 contacts with anglers, hunters, boaters and the general public, including 192 boating safety/fishing regulation compliance checks. Agents responded to 62 complaints and issued 42 citations. Six downstate ponds to be treated for aquatic weeds during 2013 programDOVER (May 17, 2013) – During the next three weeks, weather permitting, DNREC’s Division of Fish and Wildlife will be treating six downstate ponds for aquatic nuisance weeds that, left unchecked, can choke the waters, crowd out beneficial plant species, and prevent fishing and boating access. The ponds to be treated are: Abbotts Pond and Tub Mill Pond near Milford; Millsboro Pond; Horseys Pond and Tussock Pond near Laurel; and Concord Pond near Seaford. Delaware students compete in 2013 Junior Solar SprintMAGNOLIA (May 17, 2013) – With the roar of full-sized NASCAR racers in the background, more than 80 middle and junior high school students from 10 schools participated in Delaware’s 19th Annual Junior Solar Sprint Competition on Wednesday, May 15 near the Monster Monument at Dover International Speedway in Dover. DNREC’s Division of Energy and Climate organized the event to educate students about renewable energy and the environment through a creative and exciting competition. DNREC Fish & Wildlife Enforcement Blotter: May 7-14DOVER (May 17, 2013) – To achieve public compliance through education and enforcement actions that help conserve Delaware’s fish and wildlife resources and ensure safe boating and public safety, DNREC Division of Fish & Wildlife Enforcement agents between May 7 and 14 made 1,757 contacts with anglers, hunters, boaters and the general public, including 94 boating safety/fishing regulation compliance checks. Agents responded to 29 complaints and issued 27 citations. Delaware boaters asked to help map recreational boating activity in Mid-Atlantic Ocean via surveyDOVER (May 17, 2013) – Delaware recreational boaters have been asked to play a prominent role in helping to map future recreational Atlantic Ocean use by participating in the 2013 Mid-Atlantic Boater Survey. The survey is being conducted via the mid-Atlantic Regional Council on the Ocean (MARCO) to gain valuable and viable information about recreational boating activities throughout the region. May 24 deadline approaching for DNRECs annual low number hunting license lottery on June 4DOVER (May 16, 2013) – The May 24 deadline is fast approaching for Delaware residents to submit applications for the annual low-number hunting license lottery, the DNREC Division of Fish and Wildlife announced today. Applications must be postmarked on or before Tuesday, May 21 or hand-delivered to the Richardson & Robbins Building in Dover by 4:30 p.m. Friday, May 24. Northwest portion of Love Creek, a tributary of Rehoboth Bay, closed to shellfish harvestingREHOBOTH BEACH (May 16, 2013) – Effective immediately, the northwest portion of Love Creek, a tributary of Rehoboth Bay, is closed to all commercial and recreational shellfish harvesting. DNREC Secretary Collin O’Mara signed the Secretary’s Order after routine water quality sampling of shellfish harvesting areas in and around Love Creek found an increase in the level of an indicator bacteria in these waters.
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