Posted by June MacArthur on August 15, 2008

Q: We had village officials knock down three dead trees that were in a park along Lake Ontario. We didn't think they could do that because its Lake Ontario beach land that is holding the West Barrier Bar together. What birds might have nested in there? We want to talk with the DEC and maybe get they're help in dealing with this backhole crazy mayor. He'd like to pave it and make it all a parking lot, we want to leave it wild forever!

Thanks

State: New York

Habitat: pond/lake

A: So often people just don't understand the importance of a variety of habitats and that includes dead trees. If humans don't see the value for themselves, they assume it has NO value at all! Unfortunately, my guess is that officials are concerned about a liability of trees that could fall on someone.

For the most part, the birds that nest in dead trees would include those that nest in holes in trees. These would include all of the woodpeckers (6 species in your area), the Great-crested Flycatcher, Tree Swallow, Wood Duck, Hooded Merganser, House Wren, possibly Eastern Bluebird, Black-capped Chickadee, White-breasted Nuthatch, Tufted Titmouse, and American Kestrel. That makes 16 different species that can use old/dead trees for nesting sites, not to mention, using them as a source of food.

Good to see you go to bat for keeping your area as natural as possible. It's often difficult getting the authorities to understand this. Thanks for the nice Turkey photo too. Best of luck to you.

John Wiessinger ( August 16, 2008)