There have been some major developments in the Screech Owl nesting box this month, both good and bad.

   Tomorrow, I'll post the good news (which probably isn't what you think).

   Then Thursday or Friday, I'll post a bit of a down.

   Darn! This is just too intriguing to continue now.

   Too easy, right? But I liked the shot.

   Click "Continue reading ..." for a bigger clue.

   In my latest newspaper column, "The Bird Watcher," I write about taking the plunge and keeping a bird list for the first time.

   The column is in The Record's Better Living section today. The link is here.

   This Wood Duck nesting box had lost its bottom, and had a split side panel, so ace carpenter Ken Buxton got out his trusty toolkit and repaired it.

   First, he installed a spiffy new oak floor (this is Allendale, after all), then put a brace on the side of the box.

   He also braced another box,  and the requisite wood chips were then added to the boxes before the ice became too iffy to venture out on.

   The one irritating aspect of Ken's work is that he made it look too easy -- when it required all sorts of planning and measuring and cutting and other carpenter stuff. (Thanks, Ken!)

   The "Room Available" signs go up on March 1.

   Marsh Warden Mike Limatola, Ken Buxton and Chip McGrath have been doing the annual Wood Duck nesting box maintenance on Lake Appert and Blue Heron Pond.

  Two weekends ago, Mike and Chip cleaned out all the boxes, removing very few unhatched eggs and old wood chips, then putting in new chips. 

   One small surprise, one of the boxes had been used by tree swallows -- you can tell by the white feathers they use for nesting material (above).  

   Sadly, there was a deceased male Tree Swallow in the box as well. No cause of death was given.

   Two of the boxes had some worn-out wood issues. And that's where ace carpenter Ken Buxton came in -- coming up next on "Your Old [Wood Duck] House."