Birders,

Just my two cents on the matter, even those in possession of permits to
collect such nests should consider that many birds to re-use a nest, or
succsssful nest location, from one year to the next and cutting a nest and
branch down may deprive that pair from subsequent productive nestings,
forcing them to find a different locale.

There are many nests scattered around in the collections of many museums and
nature centers who hold proper permits, as Jim has requested from these, so
it is worth giving a second thought before collecting another nest.

Allen T. Chartier
amazilia1(at)comcast.net
Inkster, Michigan, USA

----- Original Message -----
From: "Jim McCormac" <[log in to unmask]>
To: <[log in to unmask]>
Sent: Wednesday, January 06, 2010 11:21 PM
Subject: Re: [Ohio-birds] Ruby-throated Hummingbird/Blue-gray Gnatcatcher
nests


> Thanks to Casey for so quickly taking it upon himself to "clarify" my
> message. Please note, I asked for nests in "collections" - those would
> presumably be housed by individuals with the necessary permits to do so.
> Sorry for not spelling that out in minute detail.
>
> Jim
>
> Jim McCormac
> Columbus, Ohio
> Like nature? Visit my blog: http://jimmccormac.blogspot.com/
> Like birds? Join the Ohio Ornithological Society: http://www.ohiobirds.org
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Ohio birds [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of
> Casey
> Tucker
> Sent: Wednesday, January 06, 2010 10:42 PM
> To: [log in to unmask]
> Subject: Re: [Ohio-birds] Ruby-throated Hummingbird/Blue-gray Gnatcatcher
> nests
>
> Hi Folks,
>
>
>
> I know there are a lot of new birders who subscribe to and read this list
> so
> I thought I should clarify something in Jim's message.
>
>
>
> I'm sure Jim, as a representative of the Ohio Division of Wildlife, did
> not
> mean to suggest that it was ok to possess gnatcatcher and hummingbird
> nests
> in private collections. Both species and their nests are protected under
> the
> Migratory Bird Treaty Act, which you can read more about here:
> www.fws.gov/pacific/migratorybirds/mbta.htm
>
>
>
> Nests can be obtained for different purposes with the proper state and
> federal permits, though the justification for the issuance of those
> permits
> is usually limited to teaching or research purposes.  If you do wish to
> obtain the necessary permits you can find the state permit application at
> this link: http://www.dnr.state.oh.us/Portals/9/pdf/pub326.pdf  I'm sure
> you
> can contact the US Fish & Wildlife Service to obtain the necessary federal
> permit applications.
>
>
>
> Additionally, as representative of the Ohio Division of Wildlife, Jim
> would
> be ethically obligated to uphold the policies of the Division of Wildlife
> which would include enforcement of the Migratory Bird Treaty Act and state
> wildlife protection laws.  If you do possess nests you may want to
> consider
> donating them to a public collection with the proper permits, like a
> museum,
> university, or nature center which would bolster the nest collections of
> those institutions.
>
>
>
> Thanks,
>
>
>
> Casey Tucker
>
> Columbus, OH
>
>
> ****************************************************************************
> ******************
>> Date: Wed, 6 Jan 2010 19:50:47 -0500
>> From: [log in to unmask]
>> Subject: [Ohio-birds] Ruby-throated Hummingbird/Blue-gray Gnatcatcher
> nests
>> To: [log in to unmask]
>>
>> Hi all,
>>
>>
>>
>> I am writing to see if anyone has or knows about nests of Ruby-throated
>> Hummingbirds and/or Blue-gray Gnatcatcher that are in collections,
>> private
>> or otherwise. And if so, if it would be possible for me to borrow the
>> nest(s).
>>
>>
>>
>> I am working with Ray Showman, who is an expert on lichens, to document
> the
>> species composition of lichens that these two bird species use in the
>> construction of their nests. Nests with some location data are best -
>> even
>> to the county level - but we would like to examine nests that lack any
> sort
>> of collection information, too. We're most interested in Ohio nests, but
>> would like to inspect any nests we can get our hands on. Nest
>> collections,
>> at least of these two species, seem to be fairly sparse in academic
>> collections, thus our attempt to cast a broader net.
>>
>>
>>
>> As you may or may not know, hummingbirds and gnatcatchers shingle the
>> exterior of their nests with lichens, and bind the affair together with
>> spider silk. Amazing construction jobs, really; I couldn't build one of
>> those things with training from Martha Stewart and a doubling of my
> hand-eye
>> coordination.
>>
>>
>>
>> Lichens are organisms created by the symbiotic pairing of a fungus and an
>> alga, and form those interesting scaly crusts that we see on tree bark
>> and
>> rocks. They are among the most sensitive easily observed organisms in
>> regards to air quality; lichens disappear rapidly if pollution becomes
>> too
>> oppressive. These birds clearly use them in part for camouflage, as
> lichens
>> make their tiny cup nests look much like a bump on a branch, but lichens
>> have some interesting chemical properties that may come into play.
>>
>>
>>
>> Anyway, if you can put me onto some nests it would be highly appreciated.
> We
>> don't have to significantly alter the nests to study them, so I can
>> return
>> them after the study. If you have any leads, please contact me privately
> at
>> this e-mail address. Thanks!
>>
>>
>>
>> Jim
>>
>>
>>
>> Jim McCormac
>>
>> Columbus, Ohio
>>
>> Like nature? Visit my blog: http://jimmccormac.blogspot.com/
>>
>> Like birds? Join the Ohio Ornithological Society:
>> http://www.ohiobirds.org
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>> ______________________________________________________________________
>>
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> Ohio-birds mailing list, a service of the Ohio Ornithological Society.
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> Additional discussions can be found in our forums, at
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>
> You can join or leave the list, or change your options, at:
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>
> ______________________________________________________________________
>
> Ohio-birds mailing list, a service of the Ohio Ornithological Society.
> Our thanks to Miami University for hosting this mailing list.
> Additional discussions can be found in our forums, at
> www.ohiobirds.org/forum/.
>
> You can join or leave the list, or change your options, at:
> http://listserv.muohio.edu/scripts/wa.exe?LIST=OHIO-BIRDS
> Send questions or comments about the list to: [log in to unmask]

______________________________________________________________________

Ohio-birds mailing list, a service of the Ohio Ornithological Society.
Our thanks to Miami University for hosting this mailing list.
Additional discussions can be found in our forums, at www.ohiobirds.org/forum/.

You can join or leave the list, or change your options, at:
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