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Harry Schmeider
- Butler, PA
- United States
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Bluebird Website
The Bluebird Lady
I recently held a bluebird program in New Castle Pennsylvania and met a wonderful little old lady which is known as the Bluebird Lady. She is a very delightful and dedicated bluebird Landlord. She lives on a farm and has several bluebird nest boxes installed and has bluebirds staying all year long. And [...]Variation in Bluebirds Eggs
While monitoring our bluebird nest box we can experience different color and sizes of the eggs. The normal color of the bluebird eggs are rich sky blue, but at time we can find white eggs as well. White eggs are called albanistic eggs. The female will lay either all blue or all white eggs [...]Communication
Bluebirds communicate with one another through the use of sounds and gestures. Songs are given by both sexes, but most often by the male. He uses it to announce his territory and to attract a female. When directed toward other intruding male inside his nesting territory it becomes very aggressive, even to the point of [...]The Other Two Species
Many of the facts shared in my blogs pertaining to the eastern bluebird can be applied to the other two species. Being similar but different. Mountain Bluebird Sialia currucoides Adult Male Adult Female The Mountain Bluebirds are slightly larger than both western and eastern bluebirds. They have longer thinner bills and their tails are [...]Copulation
Copulation takes place several times during nest building. Studies indicate that fertilization is more effective about a week before the egg laying. Copulation usually occurs within 20 to 30 feet of the nest box and may occur on top of the nest box as well as on the ground or in nearby trees. During copulation [...]Fledglings
A fledgling is a bird that is out of the nest but still dependent on its parents for food and care. Once the fledgling bluebird can gather food on their own, they are termed Juvenile birds. When juvenile birds molt into their adult plumage in the fall, they are then called Adults. Nestling bluebirds know when [...]Flocking Together
Sipping on a warm hazelnut coffee and enjoying the cool morning air of September, I noticed bluebirds flying into my backyard. More and more were arriving, soon there was a flock of bluebirds flying from tree to tree and darting to the ground forging for insects. They seem to be fighting over the nest box [...]Watching Junior Grow
What I like about the end of the nesting season is watching the juvenile bluebirds grow. After following mom and dad around for about a month after fledging, they now defend for themselves. Still with that speckled feather look, “known to all thrushes” they really do look cute. As the feathers begin to grow and [...]Mother Nature can be Cruel
I generally do not feed meal worms to bluebirds. But when the weather does not cooperate with a nesting pair of bluebirds I will offer meal worms, blueberries and boiled raisins. Mother Nature provided a few weeks of warm dry weather in South Western Pennsylvania in the Month of April and a pair of [...]Nest Abandonment and should I remove the nest?
This happens to me more often than I like, especially when the weather gets hot and it is the second or third nesting of the year. It could be because a predator got one or both of the birds, usually the female. If the male stays around and the female is not seen than [...]The Anatomy Of A Good Bluebird Nest Box
Nest boxes come in many shapes and sizes, and choosing which nest box to build or buy can be overwhelming. To help you sort through your choices I would like to share with you some suggestions that I personally recommend that will make a good nest box. Untreated Wood and Not Less Than 3/4inches [...]Natural Nest Cavities Are Hard to Find!
About 58 species of birds use nest cavities in the state of Pennsylvania as their nesting sites. And each species has a different requirement for their nesting sites. Bluebirds like an open area to nest and forge for food and to find a natural cavity in such a habitat is difficult to find. And it’s [...]Predators of the Night
There are many Predators of the night that prey on our nestling’s while we are comfortable in our homes and sound asleep. As landlords we offered a home for the bluebirds to nest and raise their family. And in doing so we should make it as safe as we can for them. There are [...]Dogs and Cats
Dogs and Cats roaming around a bluebird’s nest box is a sure reason for nest abandonment. This is definitely a topic that needs to be address. And during my seminars I always express my opinion that this is really a people problem. Do not take your frustrations out on the dog or cat but the [...]Snakes
Most of the world’s 3,000 snake species are constrictors—squeezing their prey to death. But about 450 species are venomous. There are 126 different kinds of snakes in the United States. Only 19 are harmful to people. Let’s look at the Bluebird’s worst nightmare the Black Rat snake. [...]
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Latest Activity
Bluebirds! at Matthews Community Center
October 6, 2009 from 7pm to 9pm
Ambassador for the Bluebirds, Harry Schmeider, will present his entertaining presentation on bluebirds, their history, courtship, and how they select a nest site. Harry will help us understand their breeding habits, egg laying, and brooding right up…
This video ( Bluebirds Ice Mountain ) was created by Maria Rose and Danny Elswick, They are friends of mine who live in Parkville, Maryland. They are singers and song writers and Maria Rose wrote a song after the 911 tragedy that fell upon USA soil,…
5 eggs, 5 babies! Great video
We were lucky (for the 3rd year in a row) to have bluebirds nest in the box we put up at our cabin in Ice Mountain, Slanesville, WV. We put together this vid...
My home nest box.
An Awesome Photo thanks for sharing. I give this photo a five star.
Is this creature in the USA?
Awesome
I give your photo a Five Star, Awesome Photo
I give your photo a five star. It is awesome and thank you for sharing it.
Hi Harry:
Your story reminds me that I need to do some cleaning out of my blue bird house. Nice story.
I think that birds sometimes understand. several years ago, we had a white dove which would come into our back yard to get water. It was very shy…
Habitat and Wildlife Keepers is committed to preserving, protecting and restoring wildlife habitat in the SE area of the Charlotte Metro area. We meet the first Tuesday of each month (Sept-May) at 7pm at the Matthews Community Center.
Harry, thanks for your post. I sometimes forget that not everyone has Bluebirds yearround and forget how special spotting one can be to someone who has lived the winter without them! Good luck on many successful broods this season and can't wait for…
I had a male bluebird arrive early as February 23rd and now I have a pair of bluebirds today March 4, 2009. Both are going in and out of the nest box and really giving it a close inspection. Both looked very healthy and looked to be mature birds. I…
Profile Information
- NCWF believes in Real Community through No Anonymity. Does the user name you provided contain your true first and last name? If it does not, your account may be deleted.
- Yes - I will list my first & last name
- Where do you live? (City only)
- Butler
- Which NCWF Chapter would be closest to you?
- South Charlotte - HAWK
- Are you a current member of NCWF?
- Yes
- What kind of activities would interest you the most?
- Educational Seminars
- Hobbies? (kayaking, gardening, etc)
- Photography, Gardening, Blue birding is my passion, I really enjoy sharing Bluebirds and other nest cavity birds that use their nest boxes with a presentation titled the < Fledgling Experience.> Please visit my Bluebird Website at the left side column of this page. or
ambassadorforthebluebirds.com
Harry Schmeider's Blog
The Bluebirds are Back
I had a male bluebird arrive early as February 23rd and now I have a pair of bluebirds today March 4, 2009. Both are going in and out of the nest box and really giving it a close inspection. Both looked very healthy and looked to be mature birds. I noticed the male was pecking at the top side of the next box at the roof area. I just then remembered the duct tape is still over the ¼ inch vent area at the top of the roof and sides. The male was actually trying to removing it. I got my coat on and… Continue
Posted on March 4, 2009 at 11:19am — 2 Comments
Why I became a member of the NC Wildlife Federation
First and foremost I love Nature and Wildlife. Though I live in Butler, PA which is 40 miles north of Pittsburgh PA ( The Home of Champions I might add, ) I visit the Matthew NC. area often. My Daughter, Son in-Law and Grandson resides in Indian Trails NC. which is not far from Matthews. Also I have a close friend and his wife and child that live on County Line Road, Stanfield NC. I am a friend and a fan of Carol Buie-Jackson's Website < smell like dirt> I plan on visiting her some day whe… Continue
Posted on February 27, 2009 at 4:01am —
The Bluebird’s Perseverance.
Its my passion and desire to help these beautiful birds in their fight for survival. Understanding the causes and the events that led up to the nearly extinction of the Bluebirds and the problems they face today will instill mankind’s compassion to come to their aid. It is not only the Bluebi… Continue
Posted on February 27, 2009 at 12:41am — 4 Comments
Harry Schmeider's Photos
Comment Wall (5 comments)
- At 8:38pm on December 10, 2009,
Gil Burnette said… - Harry, I would like to invite you to participate in the planting of longleaf pine trees as outlined under the events calendar dated February 13, 2010. This is a Saturday outing and will involve a drive to Southern Pines, NC located in the Sandhills of NC. There will be a similar opportunity on the following two Saturdays Feb 20 and Feb 27. I am working to help organize as large of a turn-out as possible. This event is being sponsored by The Nature Conservancy of North Carolina and will give all participants a first hand look at the longleaf pine ecosystem and an opportunity to offset part of our carbon footprint. You can call me at (980) 875-8900 for more details.
- At 8:08am on October 7, 2009,
Carol Buie-Jackson said…
- Harry, AWESOME JOB! at the HAWK meeting last night. You promised a fun and entertaining presentation and boy, did you deliver! I hope you enjoy the rest of your stay in NC and I'll see if I can get you some more opportunities to give your presentation when you are down visiting again. Safe travels home to PA and thanks again for a wonderful presentation!
- At 7:10pm on April 21, 2009,
Leigh Ayers said…
- Harry, my five bluebird babies fledged today, now I have a pair of brown-headed nuthatch's checking out the bluebird box. I have never seen this before. The male bluebird keeps coming back and checking the box, but I have not seen the female. The business idea about the birdscapes for bluebirds hasn't really taken off. I did install one for my sister and within a week she had a pair building a nest.
- At 11:35pm on February 26, 2009,
Ernie McLaney said… - Harry, good to have you join us. I agree that Bluebirds are quite special and that we should all encourage them to visit and raise young in our properties. It's always a great feeling when I see multiple young raised in boxes I monitor. A very special bird!
- At 10:43pm on February 26, 2009,
Carol Buie-Jackson said…
- Welcome Harry! It was a pleasure to speak with you tonight and I look forward to meeting you next time you are in NC. Poke around the site and make sure you post links to your Bluebird site.
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MATTHEWS PANERAS
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704 321 1544
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Items of Interest
NCWF has a new Website!
Mecklenburg County created an extensive list of native plants, their soil and light requirements and what they provide for wildlife. Feel free to download these files to your computer
Native Tree List.xls
Native Flower List.xls
Native Shrub List.xls
Native Grass List.xls
Native Plants Available from Southern Styles Nursery, Charlotte
southern style nursery plant list.doc
Invasive Plants of North Carolina
Meck County Invasive list and native alternatives.doc
Downloadable guidelines on how to attract bats and where to put your bat house from Bat Conservation International
batsattracting.pdf
bathousecriteria.pdf
Wildlife Action Plan
Implementing the NC Wildlife Action Plan.doc
Mecklenburg County created an extensive list of native plants, their soil and light requirements and what they provide for wildlife. Feel free to download these files to your computer
Native Tree List.xls
Native Flower List.xls
Native Shrub List.xls
Native Grass List.xls
Native Plants Available from Southern Styles Nursery, Charlotte
southern style nursery plant list.doc
Invasive Plants of North Carolina
Meck County Invasive list and native alternatives.doc
Downloadable guidelines on how to attract bats and where to put your bat house from Bat Conservation International
batsattracting.pdf
bathousecriteria.pdf
Wildlife Action Plan
Implementing the NC Wildlife Action Plan.doc
Is your yard certified?
Click here to learn how to register your Backyard Habitat with NC Wildlife and National Wildlife Federations
FAITH Application.doc
WAIT Application for Certification.doc
Become a Monarch Waystation
JOURNEY NORTH
A Global Study of Wildlife Migration and Seasonal Change Take part in the observation of migrating Monarch Butterflies and Birds and even participate in a symbolic migration by communicating with children in other parts of the world!
Help Cornell Track Backyard Birds!
NWF News & Updates
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