Here we are in July and we still have active nests. At last week’s inspection of the nest boxes, two were occupied by bluebirds. There are now three active nests.

The nest at the Cow Pasture continues to offer shelter to four bluebird nestlings (above). It’s a tight fit inside that cedar nest box but the birds seem to be coping. All look dry and healthy and it shouldn’t be very long before they’re exploring the big wide world outside the box.

The Bungee Jump nest box is still empty.

The Sail Boat Pond nest which last week held a paper wasp nest, still holds a wasp nest. While I removed the nest last week, the wasps rebuilt. Due to their tenacity and grit, this time I left the nest hanging from the box’s ceiling. They are welcome to stay.

Paper wasps do not gang up on intruders the way yellow jackets and hornets tend to. Oh sure, they will attempt to sting you if you try to remove or molest their nest but they won’t chase after you en mass like the others. Hit the nest, get out of there, and you won’t get stung.

The big surprise this week was a new nest and two bluebird eggs at the Amphimeadow nest box. I hadn’t expected any further activity here this late in the season. The meadow has been quiet since Build it! Bamboo moved out last month. Perhaps the bluebirds want to take advantage of that relative peacefulness.

The Picnic Dome nest box remains empty.

The female inside the nest at the Butterfly House nest peered out at Ranger Kristin and me as we approached the nest box. The bird retreated into the box as we got closer. As Kristin opened the box the female sat tight. She held her ground.

Because of the bird’s resolute stance and refusal to get up and leave her eggs I’m going to have to guess that the full compliment of four eggs, which is what was there last week, were underneath her as she sat inside the box.

It takes strength to sit tight when two huge creatures approach your home and, opening the side wall, stand there gawking at you. She was determined to protect her eggs from the beasts. I took a few photos, we shut the box and moved on.

So, here’s the low down. We currently have three active nests, the Cow Pasture (4 nestlings), Amphimeadow (2 eggs), and Butterfly House (4 eggs) nests. We now have three empty nest boxes, the Bungee, Sailboat Pond (except for the wasps), and the Picnic Dome nest boxes.

Stayed tuned for more exciting news next week!