Nettle Lake Avian Restoration
and Conservation
The Nettle Lake area supports a
rich and diverse avian population of at least 122 species.
Not only does the area serve as habitat for a large, year
round resident bird population but it also provides
important breeding, wintering, and migratory stop over
habitat that needs to be both protected and improved by the
use of conservation/restoration techniques. Of the 122 avian
species observed at Nettle Lake twelve (12) species are on
the NAS watch list. it is very likely that there are other
species on the list which use the Nettle Lake area but they
were not found. This likely list includes such species as:
Cerulean Warbler, Prothonotary Warbler, both Dickcissel and
Grasshopper Sparrow in the older CRP fields near
the lake, and Chimney Swift. All of
these species have been seen by experienced birders in the
Northwestern Ohio counties of Defiance, Paulding, Henry, and
Williams thus making it likely that they are in the Nettle
Lake area during some part of the year.
Red-headed Woodpecker (Melanerpes
erythrocephaius)
This species was once one of
Ohio’s most numerous breeding birds.
Loss of habitat has  caused a drastic reduction in
numbers of red-headed woodpeckers and they are now on
the NAS Watch List. A bird of oak/beech/hickory
dominated woodlots, surrounded by open fields, this
species has suffered by the changes in farming
practices. The loss of weedy and grassy fence rows, the
clearing of woodlots, and surely the use of
pesticides have reduced it’s major sources of food and
shelter. In the long run the Nettle Lake property owners
can greatly assist this species by planting White Oaks, American beech, and
Shagbark Hickory. Until adequate mast foods are
available the feeding of ear corn from late fall to
early spring is also recommended. The red-headed
woodpecker catches insects thus dead snags and limbs
provide them with a good view when searching for this
food supply. Nettle Lake property owners should leave
dead snags, that do not pose a danger to the lake’s
human residents, in fairly open areas and this will
provide much needed habitat for the red-headed
woodpeckers.
Click here for
information on the Red-headed Woodpecker.
Black-billed Cuckoo (Coccyzus
erythropthaImu~)
and the Yellow-billed
Cuckoo (Coccyzus amerlcanus)
These two species are
both summer time breeding residents in the Nettle Lake
area. The two species require similar breeding habitat
of brushy woodland borders and shrubby corridors
adjacent to streams and lakes. Thick
brushy areas along Nettle Creek and close to the 
surrounding wetlands should be protected and enhanced.
While both species can and do build their own nest they
also may engage in brood parasitism (laying their eggs
in other species nests). Harrison in “A Field Guide to
Birds’ Nests” list eleven other species known to be
parasitized by the cuckoos. Despite this habit the
cuckoos have redeeming qualities including feeding on
the gypsy moth caterpillar.
Click here for
information on the Yellow Billed Cuckoo.
Loggerhead Shrike (Lanlus
ludovlclanus)
The rare and accidental loggerhead
shrike is another species of birds that has suffered
from the change in farming practices in Ohio. The toss
of fence rows, populated with Osage orange and other
thorny vegetation, bordering grassy fields has had a
devastating effect upon this species.
This bird hunts insects, mice, and prey including small
songbirds. Despite it’s disconcerting habit of
impaling it’s prey on a thorn it is an important
contributor to the predator prey relationships necessary
for a healthy environment. Seeking cooperation with
property owners in the Nettle Lake vicinity to keep some
of their farmland in the CRP program and the planting of
thick, brushy vegetation along the margins of these
fields will do more to restore this species to the
Nettle Lake area than any other restoration practice.
Click here for
information on the Loggerhead Shrike.
Golden-winged Warbler (Verm
Ivora chrysoptera)
Reports of golden-winged
Warblers in the Nettle Lake area indicate that this rare
species  may in fact be using the lake area as a stop
over resting habitat during migration. No Golden-wings
were reported nor found nesting in the Nettle Lake area
during the breeding season. This does not mean that
Nettle Lake is not important to this species! Shelter
and food are critical needs during migration and should
be provided at the lake. Wetlands bordered by large
hardwoods with thick undergrowth composed of wild
grapevines, brambles, and ferns common
to the area provide ideal habitat for this species. This means that maintaining the wetlands at
Nettle Lake is crucial to the restoration of the natural
niche needed by this species.
Click here for
information on the Golden-winged Warbler.
Bobolink (Dollchonyx oryzlvorus)
and Dickcissel (Splza
amerlcana)
 Numbers of these two
grassland/hayfield species have plummeted with the
changes in farming practices in Ohio. More corn and
soybean fields and fewer alfalfa/clover/timothy fields
has eliminated much of the habitat for the bobolink and
the Dickcissel. Here again it will be the actions of the
farmland owners surrounding Nettle Lake, instead of the
lake property owners themselves, which will determine
the restoration of these two species. Continued
participation in the CRP program, limited use of
pesticides, and the promotion of brushy fence rows are
recommended.
Click here for
information on the Bobolink.
Field Sparrow (Splzella pusllla)
 Just like the preceding
two species the field sparrow restoration is going to be
dependent upon maintaining grassy lands with the
exception that natural succession needs to be occurring.
Small shrubs and trees need to be coming into the grassy
areas for prime field sparrow habitat to develop.
Continuation of allowing CRP acreage to return to it’s
natural state is critical to meeting this species needs.
Click here for
information on the Field Sparrow.
Rusty Blackbird (Euphagus carollnus)
Maintaining the wooded
corridors along Nettle Creek and around Nettle Lake
proper will provide suitable habitat for the rusty
blackbird during it’s migration. Backyard feeding of
cracked corn, millet, and milo should bring the birds
into the backyards of Nettle Lake property owners for close up
viewing and enjoyment.
Click here for
information on the Rusty Blackbird.
Orchard Oriole (lcterus spurius)
Nettle Lake property owners
should be able to establish a stable summer breeding
population of the beautiful orchard oriole. All of the
habitat requirements can be met by providing large shade
trees, young wooded riparian corridors, and fallow
fields.
Click here for
information on the Orchard Oriole.
Eastern Wood Pewee (Contopus virens)
This sparrow sized flycatcher
is a bird of mature woodlots and parks with mature
hardwoods. Unlike many songbird species which tend to
nest on or near the ground the Eastern wood pewee
prefers to nest high in the trees (20 to 75 feet up)
building it’s beautiful nest on a horizontal limb.
Nettle Lake residents will be repaid many times over by
protecting and providing habitat for this beneficial
little flycatcher. Here again the planting of hardwoods
and maintenance of existing mature hardwoods at the lake
and in the surrounding area is recommended.
Click here for
information on the Eastern Wood Pewee.
Wood Thrush (Hyloclchla mustellna)
 The flutelike sound of this
beautiful songster will be difficult to maintain at
Nettle Lake proper because the wood thrush is not a bird
of residential developments. Too many houses, too many
people, too little privacy, is perhaps the best way to
describe the dilemma faced in the restoration of habitat
for the wood thrush. Nettle Lake residents should look
to surrounding property owners to protect wetland
woodlots with mature trees. Encouraging the area
property owners to plant diverse hardwood habitat will
be the best approach to restoring this species.
Click here for
information on the Wood Thrush.
Gray Catbird (Dumetella
carollnensis)
A bird of thick tangles,
shrubby areas, and thickets the gray catbird is worth
saving if for no other reason it’s repertoire of
songs. Most often heard is it’s mewing from which it
gets it’s name “Catbird”. Indeed it does sound
like a cat but few people are aware of all of the other
calls and songs it is capable of producing. The planting
of thick shrubs, hedges, and the promotion of tangles of
wild grape vines will provide habitat for this species.
Click here for
information on the Gray Catbird.
Purple Martin (Progne subls)
This beneficial
species has declined in Ohio and is deserving of
restoration efforts at Nettle Lake. Criteria for
attracting and maintaining a viable summer resident
breeding colony may be found in appendix II of this
section. Clear flight path areas, as listed in the
criteria, are found mostly at the Southern end of Nettle
Lake and this is the area suggested for purple martin
restoration efforts.
Click here for
information on the Purple Martin.
Eastern Bluebird (SlaIla slalla)
The aesthetic value
of this species becomes evident the first time this bird
is seen. “The Bluebird has long been one ‘of the
best loved North American birds, not only because of its
gorgeous coloring but also for its gentle disposition
and the tender beauty of its voice at all seasons of the
year.” As with some of the other species
discussed prior to this one the change in farming
practices has caused a serious decline in the Bluebird
population in Ohio. A cavity nester, which prefers short
grassy habitat, the loss of old wooden fence post (with
cavities) surrounding pasture fields and the increased
use of pesticides has been devastating to bluebirds. A
bluebird trail is recommended at Nettle Lake following
the recommendations found in Dr. Lawrence Zeleny’s
book The Bluebird: How You Can Help its Fight For
Survival. It is suggested that the Nettle Lake Steering
Committee organize a series of workshops, on
restoration, and that restoring Bluebirds be the theme
for one of those workshops.
Click here for
information on the Eastern Bluebird.
Click here to go continue
reading about avian, and what we can do ourselves to
help preserve them for generations to come.
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