What have we been doing all Summer??

We are amazed to see that we'll only be here for another four weeks. So I thought it would be fun to show off some of the projects that we've complete this summer.

The Alamosa and Monte Vista NWR's both have auto tour loops with large interpretive panels. The panels provide some of the best perching sites for birds in the entire area and as a result they are usually covered with bird droppings, in spite of regular washing.

Red-winged Blackbird on sign.

Woodcock on sign.

Sign with "decorations".

We got with the refuge manager and ordered Nixalite Bird Spikes to mount on the signs.  If you read our blog last summer you may recall that we mounted a similar product under the eaves of the Visitor Center to discourage nesting Cliff Swallows.

There are 23 interpretive panels, and each is mounted in a heavy steel frame. Installation of the mounting hardware requires drilling holes and pressing in special spiral rivets, then cutting them off flush.  Rather than trying to accomplish all of this out in the field, we removed the top frames and performed most of the work back in the shop.

Removing top frame.

Nixalite strip and mounting hardware.

Installing hardware on frame.

Once we got a batch of top frames finished, we took them back out into the field, washed the signs for a final(?) time, and mounted the spikes.

Teri cleaning a sign. Last time!!

Mark installing a spike top rail.

Finished sign.

So far, so good.  The birds have found other perches and the signs remain clean.  Mission accomplished.

Mark