Birdhouses and wildlife: preparing for winter in P.E.I.

Environmental groups in P.E.I. have set up nesting houses to increase the bird population. However, the presence of squirrels, while expected, has raised concerns. Eastern red squirrels and chipmunks often take over nesting boxes, driving out tree swallows and other birds. - Judith Mendiolea

George Auld likes watching the birds in his backyard. For 24 years, he has been setting up birdhouses at his home in Crapaud. A couple of years ago, he added three bathouses. 

Last year, he noticed squirrels were stealing the food meant for his usual visitors—tree swallows and chickadees. 

Auld is not the only homeowner worried about wildlife. As winter approaches, many Islanders are setting up birdhouses and feeding stations to support local species. 

“In winter, I prepare my birdhouses and wait for spring. The birds will come back, and it’s nice to be ready for them,” said Auld.

George Auld sets up various birds and bathhouses every year in his backyard at Crapaud, P.E.I. He enjoys attracting wildlife into his garden and providing them with a place to stay. - Judith Mendiolea

However, experts urge caution when interacting with wildlife.

Emma Doucette, Watershed Coordinator for the Ellen Creek Watershed Group, emphasizes the importance of managing human interactions with these animals.

“One of the things we really want to emphasize as winter comes is to avoid attracting wildlife, like squirrels and coyotes, to your yard,” said Doucette. “A lot of people leave out food or don’t secure their garbage, which can lead to increased wildlife activity. As much as people mean well, it’s important to remember that feeding wildlife can cause more harm than good.”

In Charlottetown, urban wildlife like squirrels and coyotes pose unique challenges.

Following the recommendations of Watershed groups, homeowners like Auld mount the birdhouses on poles to keep the squirrels away. 

In rural areas, the Trout River Environmental Committee (TREC) takes a more hands-on approach to wildlife. Their recent nesting box survey involved monitoring tree swallow boxes as part of efforts to improve the bird population.

“We put up tree swallow boxes to help improve the population. They are a declining species. They're not currently on the list of endangered species, but we want to prevent that from happening.”

Out of 37 nesting boxes surveyed, 26 were actively used by various species, with tree swallows accounting for 13 boxes and chickadees for 10. However, Eastern red squirrels and chipmunks were also observed taking over some of the boxes, pushing out the birds.

Steinhoff emphasizes that while nesting boxes are helpful, they are only a temporary solution.

“The real solution is to conserve forested land,” said Steinhoff. “Putting up nesting boxes is a great quick fix, but the bigger issue is habitat loss.”

With much of Charlottetown’s land privately owned, tree planting and stormwater management remain crucial. Doucette’s team is piloting tree-planting programs to help bolster the island’s green canopy.

“What I would like people to know is that the results of the work we're doing today are long-term. It might not look like much now, but in 5-10 years, we hope it will make a difference,” Doucette said.

Steinhoff added that TREC continues to advocate for better land-use planning through conversations with local MLAs, as tree swallows are declining due to habitat loss and a reduction in food sources, largely due to pesticide use.

For homeowners who want to take action, Steinhoff suggests adapting their nesting boxes to become winter shelters.

“If you have your own nesting box right now, you can turn it into a roosting box for the winter. Just flip the front piece of the box upside down so the hole is at the bottom. This prevents heat from escaping and allows birds to keep warm during the colder months,” Steinhoff explained.

Besides supporting birds, there are other ways to help wildlife through the winter. 

Bats, another species facing decline, can benefit from bathouses. 

Many bats in PEI are suffering from white-nose syndrome, a fungal disease that has decimated populations across North America. Providing suitable winter habitats, like bathouses, can help protect them as they face this growing threat.

As winter looms, both urban and rural communities in PEI are finding ways to support local wildlife, however, conservationists stress the importance of long-term solutions—protecting habitats and making responsible decisions when it comes to wildlife interactions.