Mark Ouellette Photo Audubon Coordinator Wallace Warren points out where squirrels have nibbled away at a bluebird box. To fix the problem, the Amherst Country Club had metal washers installed around the holes. They’re fore the birdies.

Audubon Society again honors Amherst Country Club
By Mark Ouelette, Cabinet staff

AMHERST — It’s the time of year when the weather warms and the bluebirds warble from perches high above the Amherst Country Club.

Bluebirds? At a local country club?

Unlike the hardy blue jays, the more fragile bluebirds are not common to this area anymore and are a sight to behold for club members playing a round of golf.

“The bluebirds may be -indigenous to Argentina, but we love getting comments from people who’ve seen these beautiful birds at the club,” said Wallace Warren, who serves as the Audubon coordinator for Amherst Country Club. “We have about 65 birds nests now, and there are bluebirds nesting right on the golf courses.”

The country club has made significant strides to entice bluebirds by introducing 45 nesting boxes around the golf course, while also placing 20 boxes along Ponemah Green.

“We use black nesting boxes that are about six inches by six inches by 10 inches and the holes are one and a half inches in diameter … to limit it to the bluebirds specifically so less desirable birds like English sparrows don’t inhabit the boxes,” said Jamin Warren, president of Amherst Country Club and Wallace’s grandson.

Brush piles

Jamin also refrains from mowing places that aren’t in play and leaves brush piles to make the golf course a more natural environment.

“The bluebird habitat has been the biggest visual change at the golf course,” said Jamin. “We have seen a lot more, so that’s an encouraging sign. We rarely saw bluebirds in the past.”

And it’s all paid off: Recently, Amherst Country Club was re-designated a “Certified Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary” — the only golf course in the state to achieve the certification. Audubon International has honored golf courses and businesses alike through its 15-year-old certification program.

First honored in 1997

Wallace, 83, spearheaded the effort to maintain and improve environmental qualities of the golf course since Audubon International first designated it in 1997. Audubon International has also recognized Wallace for his environmental stewardship.

“I appreciate the honor,” said Wallace. “I have continually been part of the re-certification process which we have to go through every two years. The re-certification process deals with testing water quality, testing the river, wildlife and habitat management, and water conservation.”

Other categories are environmental planning, outreach and education, and chemical use reduction and safety.

Jamin said he does not routinely use pesticides to treat the course.

“We have never been big users of pesticides,” he said, “and we only spray affected areas.” The country club follows an “IPM”, or “integrated pest management” approach to caring for the course, using non-chemical measures like climate control and food sources to prevent and control pest infestation.

Jeremy Taylor, staff ecologist for Audubon International, praised the club for its commitment to the environment.

“The Souhegan River study was the largest focus of their recent program,” said Taylor, “and they certainly met our requirements. They also did studies on exotic plants and the wash water system.”

Amherst Country Club’s golf course is one of 233 courses in the world to receive the honor, but here, Amherst stands alone.

“The Shattuck Golf Club in Jaffrey, the Portsmouth Country Club, the Baker Hill Golf Club in Newbury, and Bald Peak Colonial Club in Melvin Village are all working towards certification,” said Taylor, “but as of right now, Amherst Country Club is the only one to receive the honor in New Hampshire.”

The Audubon Sanctuary System offers educational information and programs to individuals, organizations, businesses, and schools interested in learning more about protecting wildlife and the environment. For more information, contact Audubon International by calling 518-767-9051 or e-mail them at acss@auduboninternational.org.

Contact Mark Ouellette via e-mail at mouellette@cabinet.com or call 673-3100. Ext. 29.