Bluebird Update 4/1/14

The first thing to report is that there were no eggs in any of the nests this week. I had predicted there would be eggs in at least one of the boxes. Proof again that the birds know better than I when it comes to when and where to lay their eggs. A few of the nests were worked on but several looked to be unchanged since last week. Chickadees have had a hand in the construction of four ofRead more

Bluebird Update 3/25/14

All six of our bluebird nest boxes are spoken for, three have been claimed by Carolina Chickadees and three by bluebirds. Although there was minimal work done on two of the bluebird nests in the past week, just a few needles added and moved around a bit, the chickadees have been working in earnest. The little parids have completed three nests and in one instance began building on top of one of the bluebird nests before the bluebirds recaptured it. ThereRead more

Bluebird Time?

It may be a bit early for bluebirds to start nesting but it’s not too early to get out and clean their nest boxes, and that’s just what I did first thing Saturday morning here at the Museum. All of our 6 nest boxes have been brushed and scraped of any left over debris from last season and any other accumulated dust, debris or insect or spider larvae/pupae. I went ahead and installed a predator guard on one of theRead more
4 Comments

Bluebird Update May 3, 2012

It seems that my concerns about the bluebirds in the nest box near the Train Tunnel were well founded. As I neared the nest box Tuesday (5/1) for the weekly inspection I could see flies buzzing around the entrance hole, not a good sign. As I got closer, I caught the unmistakable scent of death. As I slowly opened the side panel of the box a nestling shot out past me, “Good, at least one survived.” The nest, and inRead more

Odes, Leps, Herps, and some Aves

Green Darners have been ovipositing in the Wetlands (3/13). Up until this Tuesday I had only seen males patrolling the area. I was finally able to confirm the emergence of Fragile Forktails (Ischnura posita). I photographed a damselfly a week ago (3/7) but wasn’t sure of its identity, although I was fairly confident that it was a forktail. I’ve seen these forktails here at the Museum as early as mid February. It’s curious that I haven’t seen one earlier thisRead more

Time to Nest

If there was any doubt as to whether or not winter is behind us, the cheerful singing of the cardinals, titmice, Song Sparrows and chickadees should belay those thoughts. Woodpeckers and nuthatches are working on drilling nest-holes, and titmice and chickadees, who are not as well equipped for drilling into wood, are hunting for old nest-holes left over from last year’s spring flurry of activity by the woodpeckers and nuthatches. The photo above is of a Carolina Chickadee giving the onceRead more

Family of Bluebirds

Ever since bluebird nest boxes were installed earlier this year in Catch the Wind, I’ve seen Carolina Chickadees, House Wrens, Brown-headed Nuthatches, and yes, the intended species, bluebirds, using the boxes. All of those species were observed building nests in the boxes, most laid eggs, and some were seen carrying food into the boxes and/or carrying out fecal sacs, a sure sign that there is young within. I may have missed some nest box activity. Birds don’t wait for meRead more

Bluebird Update

Immediately after posting “Bluebird Boxes” I went out to Catch the Wind and this is what I saw! Both the male and female had several peeks inside the boxes. It’s still uncertain, however, whether or not they will choose to use this particular box. But, two of the other boxes are being very carefully inspected by chickadees, it may be too late for the bluebirds to move into those. Wait till the House Wrens arrive! As before, I will keep youRead more

Bluebird Boxes

We’ve recently acquired five new nest boxes. The boxes are intended for Eastern Bluebirds but I think that Carolina Chickadees, House Wrens, or Tree Swallows (a long shot, but you never know) could use the boxes. I’d be happy with any of the above. The boxes were donated by Ken Kernodle, Steve McDaniel, and John Boone and installed by them with the help of Anne Baugh, Exhibits Research Specialist here at the Museum. Four of the boxes are in Catch theRead more