Italian Center for the Study of Artificial Nests
01.12.11
On Monday, October 31, as scheduled, we were hosted by dr. Renzo Rabacchi at the Italian Center for the Study of Artificial Nests. This opportunity, born from the reflections made at some member companies (and not), turned out to be a positive and very interesting experience thanks to the simplicity and professionalism through which we were illustrated the operation and the logic with which artificial nests should be used (more information on www.cisniar.it).
First of all, it is necessary to specify the purpose for which we organized the visit: the progressive work done over the last 60 years in agriculture to cut down hedges and “banks” consisting of medium and tall trees, in addition to the exponential increase in the use of chemical products (buried or dispersed in the air), has led to the disappearance of one of the links in the food chain that guaranteed a balance between the different living forms in the agricultural ecosystem, including many animal phytophages (parasites such as insects and rodents). We often talk about the need to have or reconstitute the “tree” heritage that is useful for the repopulation of birds (insect predators and rodents) but we are not always successful in this. The answer (which only a few of us had guessed) to this question was found by Renzo Rabacchi who, with science and passion, studies volatile fauna and its behaviors; in addition to many things he has told us and that testify to his ability to combine passion for nature and for the dissemination of the knowledge acquired.
The destruction of hedges and the forced removal, in parks and groves, of “hollow” trees (trees that had become “sick”) whose cavities guaranteed the availability of spaces useful for the establishment of nests, has caused a consequent depletion of the spaces useful for nesting and the consequent presence of birds.
How can we intervene then without 'forcing' nature, but helping it to regain possession of spaces?
Artificial nests are placed, which the center distributes, with characteristics such as to be truly effective. Let's list some of them:
- built of concrete (so that they are preserved for a long time),
- which require low maintenance (only cleaning with winter-autumn emptying and a simultaneous light spraying of pyrethrum to eliminate any parasites),
- they guarantee good defense against predators,
- which should be placed as in the drawing and at a height of 3-4 meters,
- orient yourself with the hole never to the north,
- at a minimum distance of 30m (preferably 40/50m) to avoid conflicts between different families of birds, it is still preferable to install them at much greater distances and then possibly intensify the density),
- in an ecotonal environment (i.e. in an area of passage/transition/border between an area of one type and a different area, for example between a grove and a plot of cultivated land),
- also installing them on an insulated pole.
These nests are populated in different percentages depending on different factors such as the presence of individuals of the species and the liking for the chosen place, even if nests are populated in areas that would seem to be uninhabited by birds.
The species that are most useful as an insectivore belong to the titties, but many others are effective in this regard and the nests are not too selective in this regard.
Another important consideration must be made on birds of prey, which nest on artificial structures of different constitution (and this is a factor of variability linked to geographical diversification) and their reintroduction or in any case encouraging their presence in the territory would be important for the purpose of rebalancing the presence of small rodents (a small barn owl, for example, completes a brood by hunting 7/8 kg of small rodents). Renzo has therefore given us the willingness to send information material on the nests for these birds.
The visit following the meeting allowed us to “visualize” some bird species and talk with Renzo to verify the applicability of the techniques presented.
The dialogue, continued even during the lunch break, allowed us to get to know each other even better, establishing a clear unity of purpose in promoting the dissemination of the experience and the resulting collaboration.
Sure to review who guided us on this day, both to those present and to all the producers, we propose a group purchase of these nests (which cost between 20 and 25€ depending on the model) both now and in the future, especially to have a continuous relationship with the center and to be able to share “group” information that is more useful in case there are problems to be addressed.
Anyone interested in buying nests is asked to give notice by November 26. The model that we saw in the center will be purchased, useful for titties and other insectivores and which you can see hanging near the bubble counter at the Padua stand.
First of all, it is necessary to specify the purpose for which we organized the visit: the progressive work done over the last 60 years in agriculture to cut down hedges and “banks” consisting of medium and tall trees, in addition to the exponential increase in the use of chemical products (buried or dispersed in the air), has led to the disappearance of one of the links in the food chain that guaranteed a balance between the different living forms in the agricultural ecosystem, including many animal phytophages (parasites such as insects and rodents). We often talk about the need to have or reconstitute the “tree” heritage that is useful for the repopulation of birds (insect predators and rodents) but we are not always successful in this. The answer (which only a few of us had guessed) to this question was found by Renzo Rabacchi who, with science and passion, studies volatile fauna and its behaviors; in addition to many things he has told us and that testify to his ability to combine passion for nature and for the dissemination of the knowledge acquired.
The destruction of hedges and the forced removal, in parks and groves, of “hollow” trees (trees that had become “sick”) whose cavities guaranteed the availability of spaces useful for the establishment of nests, has caused a consequent depletion of the spaces useful for nesting and the consequent presence of birds.
How can we intervene then without 'forcing' nature, but helping it to regain possession of spaces?
Artificial nests are placed, which the center distributes, with characteristics such as to be truly effective. Let's list some of them:
- built of concrete (so that they are preserved for a long time),
- which require low maintenance (only cleaning with winter-autumn emptying and a simultaneous light spraying of pyrethrum to eliminate any parasites),
- they guarantee good defense against predators,
- which should be placed as in the drawing and at a height of 3-4 meters,
- orient yourself with the hole never to the north,
- at a minimum distance of 30m (preferably 40/50m) to avoid conflicts between different families of birds, it is still preferable to install them at much greater distances and then possibly intensify the density),
- in an ecotonal environment (i.e. in an area of passage/transition/border between an area of one type and a different area, for example between a grove and a plot of cultivated land),
- also installing them on an insulated pole.
These nests are populated in different percentages depending on different factors such as the presence of individuals of the species and the liking for the chosen place, even if nests are populated in areas that would seem to be uninhabited by birds.
The species that are most useful as an insectivore belong to the titties, but many others are effective in this regard and the nests are not too selective in this regard.
Another important consideration must be made on birds of prey, which nest on artificial structures of different constitution (and this is a factor of variability linked to geographical diversification) and their reintroduction or in any case encouraging their presence in the territory would be important for the purpose of rebalancing the presence of small rodents (a small barn owl, for example, completes a brood by hunting 7/8 kg of small rodents). Renzo has therefore given us the willingness to send information material on the nests for these birds.
The visit following the meeting allowed us to “visualize” some bird species and talk with Renzo to verify the applicability of the techniques presented.
The dialogue, continued even during the lunch break, allowed us to get to know each other even better, establishing a clear unity of purpose in promoting the dissemination of the experience and the resulting collaboration.
Sure to review who guided us on this day, both to those present and to all the producers, we propose a group purchase of these nests (which cost between 20 and 25€ depending on the model) both now and in the future, especially to have a continuous relationship with the center and to be able to share “group” information that is more useful in case there are problems to be addressed.
Anyone interested in buying nests is asked to give notice by November 26. The model that we saw in the center will be purchased, useful for titties and other insectivores and which you can see hanging near the bubble counter at the Padua stand.
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