For the past two weeks, I’ve been in California with three of our Kids’ Science Challenge winners. SETI winner Kamau Hamilton and I met with Frank Drake, who came up a famous equation that now bears his name. It tells us how many intelligent civilizations there are probably out there in the universe.

The Drake Equation provides a means of figuring out the number of extraterrestrial civilzations which might exist in our galaxy. You factor in the average number of planets that can potentially support life per star that has planets - stuff like that.

This got me thinking about equations and daily life. You could write an equation about just about anything, couldn’t you?

How many people are eating poppy seed bagels in Des Moines IA? What’s the probability of a woman over 50 meeting the guy of her dreams? How many emails will you receive this week offering to deposit substantial portions of Nigeria’s treasury in your bank account? What’s the likelihood that you’ll sit next to a computer programmer on your next flight, or that the airline will misplace your baggage?

We do these calculations all the time, perhaps not with equals signs and constants, but it’s a sure bet that moment to moment we’re going through some kind of risk assessment, doing the numbers, navigating the probability curve unconsciously.

So here’s the pitch. As a comment to this post, send in Your Equation for whatever question or calculation you find yourself confronting in your corner of the microcosm. I’ll pick one based on originality and mathematical prowess, and send you a Pulse of the Planet CD. Now what are the odds that you will respond?

Jim

For the past two weeks, I’ve been in California with three of our Kids’ Science Challenge winners. SETI winner Kamau Hamilton and I met with Frank Drake, who came up a famous equation that now bears his name. It tells us how many intelligent civilizations there are probably out there in the universe.

The Drake Equation provides a means of figuring out the number of extraterrestrial civilzations which might exist in our galaxy. You factor in the average number of planets that can potentially support life per star that has planets - stuff like that.

This got me thinking about equations and daily life. You could write an equation about just about anything, couldn’t you?

How many people are eating poppy seed bagels in Des Moines IA? What’s the probability of a woman over 50 meeting the guy of her dreams? How many emails will you receive this week offering to deposit substantial portions of Nigeria’s treasury in your bank account? What’s the likelihood that you’ll sit next to a computer programmer on your next flight, or that the airline will misplace your baggage?

We do these calculations all the time, perhaps not with equals signs and constants, but it’s a sure bet that moment to moment we’re going through some kind of risk assessment, doing the numbers, navigating the probability curve unconsciously.

So here’s the pitch. As a comment to this post, send in Your Equation for whatever question or calculation you find yourself confronting in your corner of the microcosm. I’ll pick one based on originality and mathematical prowess, and send you a Pulse of the Planet CD. Now what are the odds that you will respond?

Studies have provided interesting results on the breeding behavior of Tree Swallows. At Long Point Bird Observatory in Canada, they have conducted studies over 22 years. Results have shown:

• Egg laying occurs later in cold springs and is usually 3-5 days later at the Tip of Long Point than on the mainland, because the proximity of Lake Erie results in cooler spring temperatures at the Tip.
  
• The number of eggs laid (clutch size, usually 4-7 eggs) by female Tree Swallows depends on the abundance of insects available to them prior to laying.
  
• Many adult swallows return year after year to the same site, sometimes to the same nest-box, and some of their young also return.
  
• Few Tree Swallows live more than six years, but one female banded at the tip of the point lived for 11 years. She bred at Long Point in at least 10 years from 1970 to 1980. She held the world record for Tree Swallow longevity until 1998 when a 12 year-old male was found at the Sewage Lagoon.
  
• Young Tree Swallows grow faster at the Lagoon, where insects are more abundant than at other sites where food is scarce.

Placing Nest Boxes for Tree Swallows (specifically TS–NOT other birds)

RULES FOR TREE SWALLOW NEST BOX PLACEMENT:

• Place boxes on poles out in the middle of open fields.
  
• Space boxes at least 100 feet apart.
  
• Keep boxes 50 YARDS away from bodies of water, if possible.
  
• Keep boxes as far away as possible, at least 100 YARDS, from houses and
  barns.
  
• Keep boxes as far away as possible from trees and bushes.
  
• Keep boxes away from wood edges, hedgerows, fences, and ditches.
  
• Keep boxes away from roads and other areas people can approach easily.
  
• Mount boxes so holes are between 5 1/2 and 6 feet off the ground.
  
• Position boxes so holes face south, southeast, or east.
  
• Protect each box with a predator guard.
  

NEVER, EVER put a box right next to a body of water!!!
Keep boxes at least 50 YARDS back from bodies of water if you can.

Don’t mount a swallow nest box on a tree or fence!

Just some info for you!

Well, it appears that the egg(s) in the Bald Eagle nest have hatched. I can still view the nest across the ponds (at least until leaf-out). I can tell from the behavior, body language, and postures of the parents. It was about this time last year that the egg hatched from last year’s brood. They successfully fledged one young eagle in 2008.

Tree Swallows have been very active —flying around and landing on my nest boxes but especially the plastic gourds.

Heard a Phoebe calling today. We have had a warm day today but tomorrow brings cooler temps and rain. Monday will be difficult for the insect eating birds (like my Tree Swallows)–the highs will be upper 30s and possible snow flurries. Tuesday more of the same. Hope they can hold on until Wednesday when it is to warm back to the 50s.

I encourage readers to prepare your nest boxes and if you want to participate in NestWatch Cornell Lab of Ornithology go to http://watch.birds.cornell.edu/nest/home/index. You can monitor your nest boxes (as well as other nests) and submit your data to NestWatch. It is easy and tremendously rewarding!

Part 2 = I just realized that I forgot to log earlier that the Bald Eagles began incubating on February 22. You can tell because there was an adult present constantly IN the nest. The posture they have is of sitting on egg(s).

I saw my first Tree Swallow on March 15.

If you are new to my blog–I assume you can read my past blog entries of monitoring nest boxes.

Enjoy and stay tuned!

Well, the Tree Swallows have returned! I am always thrilled to see them return. They are perching on the electrical lines just behind the house and constantly checking out the houses & gourds. Their liquid song is like auditory joy! They are so much fun to have around.

House Sparrows are already trying to build nests. It is a constant battle trying to keep them out of the nest boxes & gourds. I hope they do not kill any of the Tree Swallows. We have had weather in the 60s but the next day or so it is to turn colder with possible snow showers. This can be detrimental to the Tree Swallows and other insect eating birds.

The Bald Eagles are still incubating. They take turns on the nest.

If anyone is interested in the Peregrine Falcon cam in Indianapolis— check the link out: http://blogs.indystar.com/falconblog/. Be sure and click on the link which allows you to view both cameras. The image reloads every 30 sec. They are incubating currently. You can read all about it.

Both adult eagles are present in the nest arranging and rearranging sticks and branches. Amazing to watch the teamwork. The early morning sun is illuminating their white heads. What a site. I am blessed to be able to observe this.

Happy Valentine’s Day! The pair of Bald Eagles were in the nest last evening. Watching with my scope from my living room window, I could tell they were eating prey they had captured. Would love to know what it was. All I could see was the birds tearing & pulling at something and swallowing.

This morning one of them was carrying a large branch around in the nest trying to arrange it properly. Sometime this week (going by my notes from last year), they should lay egg(s) and begin incubating.

Male Red-wing Blackbirds are back! I heard a couple calling yesterday afternoon. Good to have them back.