Several people have written off line to ask about my Prothonotary Warbler 
nest boxes.  Here is a summary:

1. Installed first box: Twelve or thirteen years ago in the turning basin of 
the canal just upstream from Riley's Lock.

2. First occupied: First year.  I had seen Prothonotary's nesting in this 
area previously.

3. How many now:  Nine boxes.  Five at Riley's, two at Hughes Hollow, one at 
Violettes, one at Pennyfield Lock.

4. Time to install: should be ready to go by April 15 when the males start 
arriving here.  Probably earlier on the Eastern Shore.  Females follow about a 
week later.  Males start nests in various locations; females finish the nest 
after selecting the site and mate.

5. Interlopers: I have had chickadees, Carolina Wrens and this year for the 
first time, Tree Swallows in these boxes.  Also wasps and ants.

6. Specs: Standard Bluebird houses, plus some rickety home made boxes.  I am 
certainly not a master carpenter!  But it does not seem to matter.

7. Placement: always over water, usually one to two feet deep.  I use a 
standard Home Depot iron garden stake seven feet long and pound it into the mud as 
far as it will go.  Usually four to eight feet from shore.  The Prothonotary's 
do not seem to like it if the water dries up before nesting is complete, as 
has happened in some very dry springs at some spots.

8. Height above water: 18-40 inches.  More important to have tree branches 
nearby, but NOT TOUCHING the box or the stake.  If it is out in the water away 
from trees, the Tree Swallows will take it.  Vegetation touching the box or 
stake also allows snake predation and ant infestation.

9. Problems: I lost two boxes in a big Potomac River flood about a decade 
ago.  Thankfully, minimum vandalism.

10. Maintenance: I clean out the boxes in August when the birds have migrated 
out.  Prothonotary's will renest, laying in the same nest as before, so I do 
not remove nests earlier than August.

11. Cowbird parasitism: When entry holes are enlarged (woodpeckers?), 
cowbirds will enter and do their thing.  Anyone wanting to discuss this can call me 
at 301 948 6813.

12. Permission: I subscribe to the theory that it is easier to get 
forgiveness than permission.  No one in authority has ever said anything to me, for 
which I am eternally grateful.

13. Ultimate effect on Prothonotary populations: unknown, but probably 
minimal, unless installed in an area with no natural cavities.


Bob Mumford
Darnestown
Natural Images
www.naturalimgs.com