Local Eagle Scout installs 12 bird boxes in Bedford conservation areas

Joseph Crohns, a Bedford High School student and Eagle Scout candidate, told the Bedford Conservation Commission on April 22 that he built and installed 12 bird boxes in town conservation areas as part of his Eagle Scout project.

Crohns said he constructed six barred owl boxes and six wood duck boxes, using rough-cut pine after determining that plywood and stained wood were not bird-safe. He said much of the material was donated by a community member and the remainder purchased from Wilkins Lumber.

Crohns described one volunteer workday to assemble the boxes and two installation days to place them in town conservation lands, including the Pulpit Rock area and near small ponds. He said the barred owl boxes were mounted roughly 20 feet up on live trees with mounting boards and screws, and the wood duck boxes were placed about three to four feet above ground close to water. Crohns estimated the owl boxes to be about 13 inches tall and 11 inches wide.

Commission Chair Grant Killian thanked Crohns for the work and encouraged him to consider a future senior project related to conservation. Board members and other volunteers praised the effort and asked whether the boxes had already been used; Crohns said he had seen wood ducks in the general area and a recent hike suggested possible occupancy but he was not certain.

Crohns said he recruited helpers via an email to his troop, enlisted adult leaders and friends, and organized templates and pre-cut wood to make the building day efficient. He accepted the commission’s thanks and said he plans more conservation projects in the future.