5 dicembre 2010 - Le quinte in azione: una casa al Condominio Volano The Western world is now, thanks to the work of people like good Claudio Crespi, littered with artificial nests for birds. In addition to nest boxes, spread all over the place in Anglo-Saxon lands, are often combined with mangers. These structures may play important roles in science and conservation. Offer space for reproduction by bridging gaps to monitor and study the species, many projects have investigated the use of nest boxes one of their cornerstones. In many cases, these products are used for awareness building and dissemination work. Personally, I'm not a fanatic of these structures, except for some situations mentioned above, more conservation and scientific studies. I prefer to encourage wildlife through measures to improve the overall environment. And then, these activities are affected by the syndrome have seen, as proposals are many and varied, and sometimes unexpected, situations. It takes the other. The request for
Raffaella "ellaraffa and Paola" miss.paola "to build something to the students of fifth Agrate Bath fly was involved in the project actually references to drinking and other birds. The central idea is not so much the objects, the artifacts themselves, but the opportunity for pupils to be involved in something operational. The teaching environment often follows pathways independent of direct practical contexts, as it should be. In this case, affects up to a point that the nest boxes are really priority action or otherwise be subjected to proper debate. Found that, of course, it is not causing harm, we bring the children to work. In short, the teachers are concerned that important design manuals and balls, among other areas.
The planning meeting for the days of this school year, I immediately saw the promoter of interventions aimed at not more wildlife but in the small animals in the world of insects and, more generally, of invertebrates. In common feeling, is the world of the suburbs and outskirts of the empire, even though, quantitatively, we're talking about groups that make up the major portion of global biodiversity. Nests and, therefore, are artificial structures, but for the world of the child.
The impact in practice and, disemm, management there. We do some reflection. Suppose we pose instead nesting boxes for birds. Unless you choose specific shapes and sizes, the species would be affected for better or worse would be the usual: tits and the like. Things of no great interest in conservation, in fact. And then: to promote an increase in volatility could maybe go to the expense of insects. Thoughts of-thumb, intendemas, but van facts.
Let's cut to the chase. We decided to dedicate the first part of work on the fly this year to the creation of structures that will be useful in small animals. Pupils van involved at the outset. And the first meeting in school preparing for argument at the issue, with discussion and preparation of projects. The following is a report for points.
species is important to try to empathize with the species that interest us. Ask how they live, where they live, what need to build their nests. And away we go.
The pupils of the three classes involved - 5 ° B, C and D of the Primary SAN JOSE - familiar with small animals. We have treated on several occasions, including through field observations.
- Snails and surrounding areas. Gastropods (snails and slugs) live on the ground, stand in need of moisture and stay in the dark. Other species do not like the light, and similar worms, millipedes, beetles, centipedes. How can we help? The easy answer comes easy, as we shall see later.
- Spiders. We can not build webs. No sir, we must create spaces for their weaving and weaving. (See below).
- Flies. Quite appropriately some argue that it is necessary to build structures. We must provide these resources for food and animal feed their larvae. Already, the solution is simple: we bring to the flesh fly expired or dead animals. Idea impractical: the risk is a complaint for failure to comply with hygiene standards. "... We can kill some animals on the spot ... ..", suggests some pupil in the vein of black humor. Not if it does not matter: the nature of their work will leave.
- Bees and wasps. The theme provides an opportunity for a quick passing. We must use the vocabulary in an appropriate manner. We should not talk about hive for the structures that we have made available to the animals, the term refers to a colony of them realized. Our camp will provide space and products useful to place the Celetti.
A home for the wasps
On several occasions we found during our adventures, wasp nests cartonaie. The issue we face on this occasion is represented by solitary wasps. These species do not live in colonies, each for himself, come to say. To spawn using holes of appropriate size. Designing artificial nests is not difficult. There are helpful web sites in Germany, real mines of ideas. The various classes are studying different ways:
- blocks of wood. Wood should be compact enough. Are drilled in the block, on one side of the holes. The diameters of the holes vary: 2, 3, 4, 6, 8 to 10 mm, the wasps are not all equal, of course. The structure must be that of a building: so many holes on each type. Must be adequately dimensioned the depth of the holes, just follow a simple rule: multiply by 10 the diameter.
- Tubes. This method of construction is less difficult. They take the tubes of suitable diameter. They can go well, pieces of bamboo, straws, metal tubing .... Everything should be collected in a box open on one side, in which to place the bunch of tubes. It is important, wasps, and their eggs and larvae, they must be protected. For the dimensions of the tubes must be adjusted as above.
- Caps. Raffaella "ellaraffa" suggests an interesting solution. Attacking with a cork, leaving spaces in between: our wasps can use these gaps. For the dimensions of the tubes must set as above.
blocks of wood, and therefore the boxes containing the bundles of tubes or caps, they must have proper size: 20-25 cm high, 15 cm wide, 10 cm deep.
To place our artificial nests we use arrangements. We can not place them in soil moisture, weather and other factors could cause damage. We should at least put them at eye level. The eggs and larvae inside will need to heat: they must be oriented properly with respect to the cardinal points.
Helping spiders
systems;
- building structures with dihedral angle;
- using sticks, branches, sticks, creating structures similar to the hedges;
- building frames.
The piles
excellent refuge for many species: spiders, earwigs, snails, worms, woodlice .... Becomes complex to obtain large pieces of wood, logs, etc ... .... Can be remedied, perhaps recovering twigs on the ground. We would create smaller but no less productive stacks.
A nest for the bees
The structures are fascinating. Just a box of appropriate size: 22 (height) x 41 x 36. On one side is a hole - the box is kept closed - from which you start a pipe. Hole diameter a few mm. Inside the box is made of helpful material: moss, sawdust, grass ... dry.
Caves artificial
There are animals who love these places as places of temporary or permanent. An example: craneflies or giant mosquitoes that many inspire unjustified fears. Do not suck blood, feed on plant juices. To create the artificial caves we can use heaps of stones or stack of wood. We can also recover portions of old pipes: diameter, however, should be the order of several tens of cm.
Away from the light
Making useful habitat for animals of the dark (slugs, beetles, woodlice ....) Is not difficult. Are sufficient to planks of wood or flat stones.
urchins
Building shelters for these animals is not difficult. Just a pot of suitable size: it must have a diameter of 45 cm or more. The container should be emptied and turned upside down. It should create an opening large enough: 11 for 12 cm.
summary Required materials:
- wooden boxes, these wines are good
- bamboo pieces
- tubes and straws of different diameters: 2, 3, 4, 6, 8, 10 mm
- axes
wood - wire materials: adhesives, resins, strings ....
-
wooden blocks - pieces of pipe with a diameter of several cm
- stones and the like, preferably flat
- branches, sticks ....
- twigs to create a pile
- moss, straw, sawdust ....
- plastic pots (diameter of 45 cm)
NB
The material is mostly in German. If so, the writer can provide quick and concise translation.
Matthew Barattieri
