BIRDS WILL BE INVITED TO ROOST IN BILLBOARDS

A new project by the Missouri Outdoor Advertising Association and the Missouri Department of Conservation is "for the birds."

Installation of nest boxes on billboards across the state will start within the next month,

The program is designed to help for sparrow hawks and screech owls. Conservation officials say their roosting spots -- typically in hollow or dead trees -- have declined in recent years because of commercial development.

The billboard program creates a new quantity of roosting sites.

"The MOAA wanted to do something as an industry to help some wildlife species," said Larry Boyce, president-elect of the outdoor advertising organization. Boyce works Missouri Neon Co. in Springfield and lives on a farm near Ash Grove.

Following a MOAA brainstorming session and a meeting with the Missouri DOC, the idea of bird boxes emerged, noted Boyce.

"The program is a good match as far as providing an appropriate environment for the birds," he said. "Good areas to locate the boxes are in open or partially open land at the edge of woods, fence rows, or adjacent to pastures and roadsides."

Boyce points out that this is where many billboards are located.

Fifty nest boxes will be installed as a "pilot project." If successful, the project could be expanded in future years.

The boxes have been designed by the Missouri Department of Conservation. They include a bottom panel mounted on hinges that opens to allow for cleaning.

"The boxes will be cleaned prior to each season," said Boyce. The nest boxes also include tiny openings on the bottom of the roost to allow for drainage.

Although construction of the 50 boxes is expected to take a few months, a number of the nests will be available as early as two weeks, said Boyce.

The average cost of installing the nest boxes will be about $200 each.

The boxes will be located on the backside of the billboards or on the post, Boyce said. They'll be located along various highways throughout the state.

He said billboard companies are still being contacted. "One company has already indicated they will participate in Southeast Missouri, and we'll be contacting others."

Boyce referred to the Robinson Displays company of Perryville.

Sparrow hawks -- also called kestrels -- are small, colorful birds that are vital to controlling rodents and nuisance birds. The screech owl also feeds on rodents and small birds.

Nesting for the sparrow hawk and screech owl usually takes place about this time of year.

"Next year at this time we will have a good idea as to the success of the program," said Boyce. If successful, the program can be expanded, he added.

"These two species of birds are not endangered," said Boyce. "But they need help."