We are pround of our cavity nesting projects at Winchester Medical Center, 3rd Winchester Battlefield, and the Kernstown Battlefield Association's Grim Farm Battlefield site.  Shenandoah Naturalists are pleased to assist landowners in establishing cavity nesting on their property.  We have both Purple Martin and Bluebird type nesting projects available for birders who cannot erect their own houses.  Just email us well ahead of spring mailto:NatureLover@ShenandoahNaturalists.org and we'll plan a nesting party on your property!

Purple Martins:  Good Purple Martin habitat includes a nearby pond with still water, fields and pasture with grazing livestock.  Purple Martins have specific needs detailed by online advisors http://purplemartin.org/main/mgt.html.  Our project starts with the landowner's purchase of a quality aluminum martin house from a respected source such as Bruce & Dolores Johnson's Wild Birds Unlimited http://winchester.wbu.com/.  The owl-resistant two-chamber houses are preferred.  We will dig out the post hole for a cement footer, drop the plastic pvc pipe in the cement, and attach a ten ft. (non-retractable) metal fence post for the house.  Cost is materials only.  The martins are called in the first week of April with a martin dawnsong CD http://purplemartin.org/shop/index.php?cPath=27 

Bluebird houses:  attract not only bluebirds but tree sparrows, wrens, chickadees, and (dolt!) house sparrows. Our bird houses are available at materials cost ($17) with a 7-ft post. They include a wire Noel guard but not a swinging stovepipe guard. Bulebird experts recommend that houses NOT be put on fenceposts because of predation, however; we do offer a predator-resistant fencepost house with internal baffles (a more detailed construction) for $24.