Nesting boxes to promote the nesting of insectivorous birds at the Vineyard
DID YOU KNOW?
L'Orpailleur is a sanctuary for tree swallows and Eastern bluebirds. We invite you to read this article to find out how they are useful to the Vineyard!
Birdhouses near one of our wildflower strips.
WHY INSTALL NEST BOXES?
Our objective is to preserve and enhance our biodiversity by implementing developments that are beneficial to both wildlife and our agricultural production. Thus, to encourage the presence of bird species beneficial to crops, we compensate for the lack of natural cavities in and around the vine plots by installing nest boxes.
Our nest boxes mainly host tree swallows and Eastern bluebirds. Aerial insectivorous birds, like these two species, are known to be large consumers of insects, potentially exceeding 1,000 insects per day during nesting season. They are valuable allies in our sustainable farming, as they notably contribute to:
- Natural and ecological regulation of pests harmful to the vine,
- proper functioning of the agroecosystem,
- increased local biodiversity,
- the resilience of our vineyard.
THE PLEINS RAYONS LOCAL ORGANIZATION'S NEST BOX PROJECT
Since 2016, we have been working with the non-profit organization Pleins Rayons, which introduces young adults with intellectual disabilities or autism spectrum disorder to agricultural work to help them enter the job market.
The 2023 brigade installing and maintaining nest boxes in the spring.
Pleins Rayons has developed a project to manufacture and install nest boxes for farmers, horticulturists, winegrowers, and apple growers in Brome-Missisquoi to naturally and ecologically control pests harmful to their respective productions.
Thanks to this partnership with their brigade, more than 100 nest boxes are currently installed and regularly maintained at Vignoble de l'Orpailleur!
THE TREE SWALLOW
Its back and head are blue with metallic reflections depending on the light. The tips of its wings are darker, tending towards black. Its entire underside, from the throat to under the tail, is white.
The tree swallow is a migratory species that spends the winter in Mexico, Central America, and Florida. Every year in May, it returns to North America to breed. It nests in cavities near open habitats, waterways, pastures, and agricultural fields. Unable to dig them itself, it relies on existing cavities, such as nest boxes or holes excavated in dead trees by woodpeckers. Today, with habit, the swallow has primarily adopted small houses set up by humans. Since the late 1970s, researchers have observed an annual decline of 5.5% in tree swallow populations in Northeastern North America. In Quebec, according to the Breeding Bird Survey, the tree swallow population decreased by 70.5% between 1970 and 2021.
The tree swallow is an aerial insectivorous bird, meaning it catches the insects it feeds on in flight, gobbling them up in the air as it passes. It feeds on many vineyard pests: Drosophila, leafhoppers, winged adults of grape berry moths and mealybugs.
Adult leafhopper and its nymph. The leafhopper is a piercing insect that empties the plant cells of the leaf, reducing photosynthesis essential for grape ripening.
THE EASTERN BLUEBIRD
Its back is a brilliant blue and its chest is adorned with an orange hue. The female's plumage is a little less vibrant and more subdued than the male's. Rather discreet, it always delights the eyes of observers who manage to spot it or attract it to a nest box.
This small bird has become rare due to the loss of its nesting sites and intense competition from house sparrows, European starlings, and even tree swallows. However, the installation of nest boxes seems to make a difference. Installing nest boxes in pairs (two by two) can help avoid competition and promote coexistence with the tree swallow. The bluebird nests in open agricultural environments with small shrubs, pastures, fallow fields, and orchards.
The 2022 vintage of l'Orpailleur Frisant features the Eastern bluebird beautifully illustrated by artist Stéphane Lemardelé.
In summer, the Eastern bluebird mainly feeds on insects. They consume vineyard pests such as: the grape flea beetle, the red-headed flea beetle, and scarab beetles, gall and girdler weevils, the black weevil, and grape berry moth caterpillars. It catches them by perching and then darting to capture the prey it has spotted.
A pest arthropod, the grape flea beetle from the order of coleoptera.
This text was written with the valuable collaboration of:
Isabelle Devost, M.Sc. biologist from the QuébecOiseaux organization
Jacques Lasnier, President and R&D Director at Ag-Cord inc.
There are several ways to support Pleins Rayons. The contribution and help of volunteers are essential to allow young people to flourish. Visit their website to find out how you can support the organization! http://pleinsrayons.ca/
References
Government of Canada | Annual trends: Tree Swallow
Université de Sherbrooke | Behavioral Ecology - The cry of the Tree Swallow
Permabitat nest boxes and wildlife shelters
Nature Québec | Swallows in Quebec: how to recognize and protect them?