|
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. |
|
|
|
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. 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. State awarded $1 million federal grant to protect critical lands in the Delaware BayshoreDOVER (May 15, 2013) – More than 800 acres of valuable coastal lands in the Delaware Bayshore, will be conserved and protected thanks to a federal grant awarded to DNREC’s Division of Fish and Wildlife. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s North American Wetlands Conservation Act award of $1 million will be used, along with matching funds from the state Open Space Program, conservation partners and private contributors, to acquire property along the Bayshore in Kent County. GO APE and DNREC announce build of first Treetop Adventure course in DelawareGo Ape and DNREC’s Division of Parks and Recreation (Delaware State Parks) are pleased to announce their public private partnership to bring the award winning Go Ape Treetop Adventure course experience to Lums Pond State Park in Bear. The course will allow participants to explore the forest canopy and pond at Lums Pond State Park from an otherwise unobtainable vantage point, from 50 feet within the trees. When complete, the course will be the first of its kind in Delaware, and in the Philadelphia and Wilmi Revitalized Peregrine Falcon chick returned to nestWILMINGTON (May 14, 2013) – With the recent return to the nest box of a chick that was artificially fed and cared for by human hand while it gained weight and strength to fend for itself in the box, the Wilmington Peregrine Falcons of DNREC Falcon Cam fame have regained the family dynamic as the four chicks prepare to fledge. DNREC Falcon Cam chicks banded for future flightWILMINGTON (May 15, 2013) – The four peregrine falcon chicks given starring roles on the DNREC Falcon Cam – sponsored by the Delaware Ornithological Society and DuPont’s Clear Into the Future initiative – were outfitted for their own ornithological future this week. They were banded Tuesday by the US Fish & Wildlife Service DNREC Fish & Wildlife Enforcement Blotter: April 30-May 7DOVER (May 10, 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 April 30 and May 7 made 1,132 contacts with anglers, hunters, boaters and the general public, including 84 boating safety/fishing regulation compliance checks. Agents responded to 33 complaints and issued 39 citations... Piping plover nesting season off to a good start with three nestsLEWES (May 10, 2013) – Unseasonably cool weather aside, the piping plover nesting season has gotten off to a noteworthy start with three nests spotted yesterday on the Point at Cape Henlopen State Park. A pair of piping plovers also has been seen at Gordon’s Pond, but they don’t appear to have set up a territory there yet. Volunteers needed for Inland Bays Cleanup on June 8 and 22MASSEY’S LANDING (May 10, 2013) – DNREC’s Division of Fish and Wildlife Enforcement Section, along with the Dewey Beach Lions Club, the Center for the Inland Bays and DNREC’s Division of Parks and Recreation, are seeking volunteers and working boats for the Ninth Annual Cleanup of the Inland Bays, which will be held on two Saturdays in June.
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
