A convertible nest-and-roost box provides an all-seasons attraction and added benefits for cavity nesting birds.

Early spring is a time to add a new nest box to your yard, but there is an exciting option to a spring nest box – a nest box that doubles as a roost box during the “off-season” – fall and winter. Imagine the joy of observing bluebirds using one of your nest boxes during the season, and having fledglings on hand for some days as they learn to fly and forage for themselves – then having chickadees use the same convertible nest box to spend cold nights during late fall and winter. In the songbird arena, that’s a real possibility with an “all-seasons” nest-and-roost box.

While there seem to be an infinite number of nest boxes available on the market, there are now a few true roost boxes too. But the newest and best option for birders these days seems to be a “convertible” nest box that has a reversable front panel so you can position the entrance hole at top during the nesting season, the reposition the front panel so the entrance hole near the bottom of the box to make it the best option as a roost box during fall and winter.

The idea behind having the entrance at the bottom during the cold weather months is to keep warm air created by the body heat of the bird or birds inside the box. Because hot air rises, instead of escaping out the top, the warm air is kept inside. Also, during the roosting season, a perch consisting of a crossbar or 2, or a ladder-perch, allows the birds to perch above the entrance hole. Sometimes, more than 1 bluebird or chickadee will roost together, adding body heat to the box’s interior. In fact, these small songbirds are known to huddle together for added warmth inside a box while roosting. A convertible nest-and-roost box is really a game changer for cavity nesting birds that also roost in cavities.

The interior of the BestNest nesting-roosting box shows the perches installed for birds to perch on when it is converted to a roost box.
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In this episode of the award-winning “Wildtalk” podcast, guest host Caleb Eckloff and co-host Eric Hilliard discuss commercial forest lands, the duck hunting regulations process and experiences from year two of the U.P. moose project.

Don’t forget to participate in the wildlife quiz part of the show for a chance to win a “Wildtalk” podcast camp mug. The deadline for submission is Mar. 15, so don’t delay. These mugs are exclusive and not available for purchase, so be sure to listen and submit your answer via email to DNR-Wildlife@Michigan.gov with the subject line “Mug me.” Keep an ear out for the April episode, when we will announce the lucky winners.

If you have a general question about wildlife or hunting, record a voice memo on your phone and email it to DNR-Wildlife@Michigan.gov, and we might play it on the air. Don’t worry if you make a mistake recording your audio. We’ll be sure to edit your voice memo to help you be as concise and articulate as possible with your question. Submitted questions are not guaranteed to end up on the show, but we’ll do our best to work in as many as we can.

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An inside look at recent U.P. moose capture-and-collaring effort

By ANDY HENION
Communications representative, Wildlife Division
Michigan Department of Natural Resources

It’s an unusually warm February day in the western Upper Peninsula as a collaborative team of wildlife experts works to fit a radio collar around the neck of an immobilized moose and collect blood and fecal samples from the animal. Speed and skill are crucial. Too much stress or time under anesthesia puts the 700-pound bull at risk. A separate helicopter crew from Texas-based Heliwild had flushed the moose from the Iron County woods and shot it with a tranquilizer dart, a necessary but taxing procedure for the majestic creature. The 45-degree temperature produces another risk factor for an animal whose thick, heavy coat was designed for freezing cold.

The ground team finishes its work, injects the moose with a drug that reverses sedation and backs away. After a few anxious minutes, the massive animal awakens, rises unsteadily and ambles into the thick woods. The entire process takes less than 45 minutes. “Great job everyone,” says Kristie Sitar, a veteran wildlife biologist with the Michigan Department of Natural Resources, as the crew exchanges high-fives. This procedure was repeated several dozen times in mid-February as some 40 people from the DNR, Keweenaw Bay Indian Community, Northern Michigan University and Sault Ste. Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians participated in an ongoing research project investigating moose survival in the Upper Peninsula. Read more

Deer Management is an initiative created by Whitetails Unlimited to help landowners who are managing their land. There are numerous ways to manage deer, and each landowner must determine their objectives and develop a plan that best suits their goals and property. These signs will serve as visible reminders to others that the area is private property being managed for deer.

Deer Management property signs are made from PVC, measuring 11.25 inches on a side, and are white with red and black printing. The signs are suitable for use anywhere in the United States.

A Deer Management booklet is also available that explains basic management styles and habitat enhancement. The booklet can be downloaded from our website, or a physical copy can be requested.

To order complimentary Deer Management signs or booklets, please call Whitetails Unlimited National Headquarters at 920.743.6777 or send an email to nh@whitetailsunlimited.com. Read more

A rare photo of a spectacularly plumaged male Green-crowned Plovercrest was taken in southeast Brazil by Sergio Gregorio.

Even if you still have snow on the ground, here’s an article to get you thinking about warmer days ahead with some information about how to transform your garden into a Hummingbird Haven. And if you are a Sunbelt birder, you can start planning and planting a hummingbird garden today. But first, we wanted to introduce you to a stunning example of the 363 different species of hummingbirds found in the Americas – a Green-crowned Plovercrest. Endemic to Brazil, Green-crowned Plovercrests are found in the Atlantic Forest of southeast Brazil.

Shared with us by the International Hummingbird Society, the photograph of this male Green-crowned Plovercrest was taken by Sergio Gregorio, who pointed out that this hummingbird species “holds a special place in my heart because it symbolizes the resilience and splendor of Brazilian nature.”

A theme of the International Hummingbird Society is that seemingly small efforts can make a big difference, such as planting flowering plants that hummingbirds prefer along with maintaining clean, healthy feeders with sugar-water nectar. Read more

Because large natural cavities are in limited supply, Wood Ducks and other large cavity nesting birds have benefitted as populations and a species by birders who have provided big nest boxes.

There is probably no greater level of nest box excitement than when you are successful in attracting a small owl, kestrel, or duck to a Big Nest Box on your property or a nearby location. Imagine the thrill of attracting larger cavity nesting birds, like a pair of colorful Wood Ducks or impressive Hooded Mergansers – or screech owls or a pair of American Kestrels – all exceptional birds that anyone would be thrilled to assist by providing a sturdy, safe, and dependable nest site. Adding a big nest box to the local environment is very positive way of joining in a true conservation effort because you will help cavity nesting birds during the most important part of their life cycle – the nesting season – by ensuring there is another safe nesting site available each spring.

Installing a single big nest box is not an overpowering effort for most birders, but when birders across a state or around our nation make that effort, it can make a huge difference to birds looking for a nesting cavity each spring – especially considering the short supply of suitable large natural nesting cavities. Read more

Congress is considering legislation that would return wolf management authority to the States—a position long supported by Michigan United Conservation Clubs’ member-driven policy and our commitment to science-based wildlife management.

A national coalition, led by the Western Justice Legislative Fund, is urging Congress to act. MUCC has been invited to join this effort, and you can add your voice as well.

We encourage you to sign on as an individual supporter through the WOLF Coalition’s online portal. Your participation helps demonstrate broad, grassroots backing for a durable, legislative solution.

You can join the coalition and learn more here:

https://link.horsebusinessmanager.com/widget/form/RgylzQ46Pqo2gwV6bBhV?fbclid=IwY2xjawP7JIxleHRuA2FlbQIxMABicmlkETFYaXROd2NENjNWR1lQYWNac3J0YwZhcHBfaWQQMjIyMDM5MTc4ODIwMDg5MgABHkrAKwyx_mfWU7CXcTsVaOyEDoh_567o42EaP3RWbZ-2EEYsr-IaoUdpaAUt_aem_beIsfoHk8k_LP7sYllmSGQ

Thank you for standing up for Michigan’s conservation heritage and for supporting responsible, science-based wildlife management.

Feb. 18, 2026
Contact: John Pepin, 906-226-1352 or 906-250-7260

A cooperative moose research team, including the Keweenaw Bay Indian Community, Northern Michigan University and the Michigan Department of Natural Resources, has concluded its efforts to capture and collar moose in the core moose population area in the western Upper Peninsula for this winter.

The project began last winter, with the collaring of 20 moose, to help learn more about the region’s moose herd and why population levels have stagnated. GW:  Wondering how much of an impact our protected wolves are having on moose.  Typically, it seems to  be downplayed.

This month, the team worked from Feb. 14-17 with a goal of capturing 40 moose.

A total of 41 new moose were captured, and two more moose were recollared over the four days. The 41 moose included 20 adult females, 10 adult males and 11 calves. The team now has a total of 56 collars deployed, including the moose collared in last year’s capture efforts. Read more

When an Eastern Bluebird lands on your nest box the first time, it’s the start of a whole new episode among your varied birding activities (photo by Paul Konrad).

With spring in the air, it’s time to make a nest box plan and prepare to put it into action – soon. If you already have nest boxes in your yard or another area, if you haven’t already prepared them for the coming season, watch the weather for a nice day when you can do a clean and maintenance update that will welcome cavity nesting birds to use them as the nesting season approaches. It’s also time to select and install a new nest box if you choose, which is pretty easy for smaller cavity nesting birds, like bluebirds, wrens, chickadees, nuthatches, and others; for larger birds like cavity nesting owls, kestrels, and ducks, it may take some extra effort.

We can’t emphasize enough how important it is for birders to help provide appropriate nest boxes for birds, because natural cavities are in especially short supply, as are woodpecker-created cavities. Read more