The Solano and Napa Breeding Bird Atlas Projects have identified at risk nesting habitats and other locations which have supportive nesting conditions in our locale. The goal of the Community Nesting Box Project is to increase the breeding bird pairs in Solano and Napa counties by posting nesting boxes on public and private land. The target species for the nesting boxes are birds that are cavity nesters. Removal of old growth oak trees in preparation for construction or other development and replacement of orchards with vineyards are examples of loss of suitable nesting habitat for birds requiring tree cavities for nest sites. Species in our area that will benefit from nesting boxes are:

American Kestrel, Barn Owl, Bewick's Wren, Chestnut-Backed Chickadee, Northern Saw Whet Owl, Oak Titmouse, Tree Swallow, Western Bluebird, Western Screech Owl, White-Breasted Nuthatch, Wood Duck

Box construction and installation was accomplished with the assistance of our generous community partners:

**** California Native Plant Society **** Rush Ranch **** Napa Land Trust **** Solano Land Trust **** Suisun Wildlife Center **** Mc Bride Bird Group **** City of Napa Earth Day Program **** City of Vacaville Earth Day Program **** Max Hunter - Western Dovetail, Inc. **** International Bird Rescue Research Center **** ICON Estates-Napa **** Kirsten Kearney – Girl Scout Troop161 ( Vallejo) **** Girl Scout Troop 81 (Travis AFB) **** Girl Scout Troop 8 (American Canyon) ****

Want to watch for baby birds? Community assistance is needed to monitor the boxes that are installed in the field. Our monitors visit the nest boxes several times during the nesting season (Feb – Aug) looking for evidence of nesting and then remove nesting materials from the boxes at the end of the season. Residents or organizations interested in assisting with the project can contact nsas_birdboxes2007@pacbell.net for more information.