Posted by Jenn ladd on October 24, 2005

Q: Hello! I am Jenn and I am doing a project on naturalists and would like to ask you 0 questions and if you could write me back asap it would be great!

1. What is your favorite part of you job?

2. How long have you been a naturalist?

3. What do I do if a bird were to run into my window and killed?

4. What should I do if I were to find a baby bird had fallen out of its nest?

5. What should I do to stop a bird from pecking at my window?

6. Where did you graduate from and how many years did you need to go to school to become a naturalist?

7. How do I get birds to come to my feeder?

8. how would I get a bat out of my house?

9. What should I do if a bird is nesting in a dangerous spot?

10. What do I do if a bird is starting to make a hole in the wall of my house?

Sorry Its shot notice but it would mean a lot if you could answer those and write back

jenn

A: 1. What is your favorite part of you job?

I like sharing neat stories about different animals and plants with people who had no idea how interesting some of our common animals and plants really are. People are often quite surprised about what they learn about something that lives in their backyard or in their local park.

2. How long have you been a naturalist?

I've worked as a naturalist for about 28 years.

3. What do I do if a bird were to run into my window and killed?

Believe it or not, it's illegal to have any part of most of our native birds so I'd just let it lie there. Of course at times, you may think the bird is dead but in a little while it may wake up and can fly off.

4. What should I do if I were to find a baby bird had fallen out of its nest?

Most baby birds that people "think" fell out of a nest are really fledglings! Fledglings are baby birds that have left the nest on their own and are learning to fly about and get their own food with the help of their parents. So...if you find such a baby, it is best to leave it alone.

5. What should I do to stop a bird from pecking at my window?

Every once in a while a woodpecker likes the sound of pecking on the side of a house. When this happens, and it has happened to me, I simply go immediately outside and clap my hands to scare the bird away. After a few times of doing this, the bird usually decides not to continue any more.

6. Where did you graduate from and how many years did you need to go to school to become a naturalist?

I received a master's degree in science and environmental education from Cornell University. It took 6 years in all (4 undergraduate and 2 graduate).

7. How do I get birds to come to my feeder?

Just put the food out and some should come. However, if you have lots of shelter around the feeders, birds are more comfortable there and more will be willing to use your feeder.

8. how would I get a bat out of my house?

You probably don't. Bats won't hurt you and they're good to help keep insect populations down. If you really, really want to keep them out, you'll have to find out how they get in and then plug up the entrance but be sure to do this AFTER they are gone.

9. What should I do if a bird is nesting in a dangerous spot?

Birds nest where they choose so leave them alone. If you can keep people or pets away from the nest area great, but don't try to move the nest or you'll only scare the bird away for good.

10. What do I do if a bird is starting to make a hole in the wall of my house?

Again, try scaring it away each and every time it pecks on your house. Eventually, it may realize "this isn't a good place to build my home"!

I hope this is what you're looking for. Good luck in school.

John Wiessinger ( October 25, 2005)