Nest Box Update 4.24.18

This week’s inspection came out all positive. There are hatchlings, new eggs, and two nests have seen a rejuvenation. There were hungry mouths to greet me as I peered into the nest box at the Cow Pasture. Although the nest previously had 6 eggs, I could only make out 5 nestlings. There may have been one chickadee nestling under the mass of blind, naked parids that lay before me but I couldn’t see it. They’ll still be in the nestRead more

Nest Box Update 4.10.18

Everything looks great out on the bluebird trail. All of our 6 nest boxes have nests and all but one has eggs. Only one nest had a bird incubating, so egg laying may yet continue. There are 3 bluebird nests and 3 chickadee nests. The Cow Pasture nest has a full compliment of 6 eggs. An adult was incubating as I opened the inspection door on the side of the nest box. Soon after I took the photo you seeRead more

Nest Box Update 3.28.18

We’re on the move. All of our nest boxes have seen some sort of activity the past week. Three bluebird nests are underway, two chickadee nests, and one nest box has had been modified slightly by some unknown entity. The nest box at the Cow Pasture which contained some 3” of moss last week has now been topped off with fur and feathers. A well-defined cup has yet to be made to finish off the nest, but that may veryRead more

Final Nest Box Update 8.22.17

The nesting season on our bluebird trail is officially over. There has been no recent activity in any of our six nest boxes. Three species of bird utilized the nest boxes. The last nest, a house wren nest, fledged 1 bird during the second week of August. House wrens were the most successful species with a total of 11 fledglings. Carolina chickadees fledged 9 birds this year. Bluebirds were way down at only 3 fledged. This has been the theRead more

Nest Box Update 8.8.17

There is one active nest and one nestling inside that nest. The nest box at the old site of the Bungee Jump started with five eggs (7/25). The following week it held 2 house wren nestlings (8/1). It now has one nestling (8/8). What happened to the other eggs or nestlings is a mystery. The fact is, there’s only one nestling left and I’m not sure I’ll be able to determine if it fledges or perishes in the nest. I’llRead more

Nest Box Update 7.25.17

There is one active nest box. The nest box next to the old site of the Bungee Jump is the only nest box that is currently occupied. Two weeks ago there were 3 eggs in the nest box at the Bungee site. Last week there were 5 eggs. There are still 5 eggs and it seems the house wrens who built the nest are incubating. They are apparently done laying and waiting for the eggs to hatch. If all goesRead more

Nest Box Update 7.11.17

It’s the year of the house wren! The past week has seen activity in three of our six nest boxes, all involving house wrens. There’s nest material in the Cow Pasture, Bungee Jump, and Butterfly House nest boxes. It’s just a start, but the nest box at the Cow Pasture contains a handful of twigs. This, if it’s completed, will be the second house wren nest in this nest box. The previous nest fledged 6 house wrens. The nest boxRead more

Nest Box Update 6.13.17

We have one active nest, leaving five empty nest boxes. The six house wrens that had occupied the nest box at the Cow Pasture have fledged since last week’s inspection. Paper wasps were quick to move in. The nest box at the Outdoor Classroom service road in Explore the Wild is empty. Last week, there were 5 house wren nestlings in the nest box at the site of the old Bungee jump. This week I count 4 nestlings. They appearRead more

Nest Box Update 5.31.17

We are currently hosting two house wren pairs. One is located at the Cow Pasture nest box (6 eggs), the other lives at the site of the old Bungee Jump (5 nestlings). The nest box at the Cow Pasture contains 6 house wren eggs. There were 6 eggs in the nest last week. And, I didn’t see an adult fly from the box this week. Incubation should be in progress. Have the birds abandoned the nest for some reason? TheRead more