Boyce-Mayview Update

Rehabilitation of nest boxes in Boyce-Mayview Park continues. Some of the boxes will likely be removed as the surrounding habitat is not conducive to Eastern Bluebird nesting. It may be that these boxes were placed years ago and the vegetation has grown up around them. We are working to put baffles around the poles upon which the boxes are mounted. Baffles keep predators such as snakes, raccoons and other mammals out of the boxes. Baffles also help to eliminate the problem of mice taking over the nesting sites. Two of the first three boxes to which we attached baffles had nesting mice in them. We evicted the mice and after installing the baffles, no mice have been found in the boxes.

An Eastern Bluebird pair began nesting in one of the boxes in the Gardens area, and four eggs hatched. Sadly, after some particularly unseasonable cold and wet weather, the hatchlings were found dead in their nest. There were blowfly larvae found in the nest. Some research suggests that blowfly larvae do not significantly increase hatchling mortality. However, the same research suggests that the combination of blowfly larvae and cold, rainy weather may play a factor.

Hopefully, there will be other successful nestings in the park this year. Stay tuned. 

Tree Swallow Happenings

There are currently two Tree Swallow nests with eggs soon to hatch. These impressive acrobatic flyers may buzz you as you pass near their nesting sites.  So far, they have never hit me, even as I check their nests and watch them fly straight toward me. They often will call in reinforcements and I am then surrounded by fast, furious flyers with snapping bills and chattering alarm calls.

Their softer side is revealed in the exquisite nests which they construct, using feathers plucked from wherever they happen to find them. Take a peek inside.

Tree Swallows use dried grasses to construct a nest, sometimes a very shallow nest, which they then line with soft feathers. Some people will throw feathers from a pillow into the air near nest-building Tree Swallows and watch as the birds pluck the feathers out of the air. It is rumored to be quite the spectacle. The feathers in this box have come from the Tree Swallow's environment; I prefer to see what they find rather than provide them with feathers.

Two Tree Swallows which I banded last year have returned to nest in the park. One chose the very same box in which she nested last year. The other one arrived after the bluebirds had already claimed the box she had used last year. This year the bluebirds got an earlier start on nesting than did the Tree Swallows.

Blues on the Way

These bluebird nestlings will soon fledge from their nest. The parents have been vigilant in caring for them, and they dive-bomb each time I check the nest. I am always glad when they do that as I approach the nest; it lets me know that they still have something to guard and care for.

Sadly, this was not the case with one of the other nestboxes. I found it odd that the male and female did not seem to spend a lot of time around the box. Despite this, five eggs did hatch in that box. However, one day, after some very hot and humid weather, I found all five nestlings dead. There were no signs of predation or insect infestation. It is possible only to guess at what happened. Did something happen to the mother? Did the excessive heat play a role in their demise? Were the parents too inexperienced to raise this brood? I can only record my observations and guess at what may have occurred. What do you think?

Tree Swallows

I never seem to have the correct camera with me when these moments happen. A pair of Tree Swallows have been busy with nestbuilding in this box and I happened to see them perched atop the box the other day. I expect that soon, there will be eggs.

Here is a look inside the Tree Swallow nest box.. Tree Swallows also use grasses to craft their nest, and then they go in search of feathers to line the nest. There are more feathers inside the cup of this nest and I suspect they will add more before eggs are laid. Tree Swallows defend their nests more aggressively than the Eastern Bluebirds, so if you happen to be walking too close to the box, do not surprised if you are dive-bombed by a Tree Swallow. You may hear them chattering and snapping their bills, but they will not harm you. Best to keep your distance so they can successfully fledge young.

A View Inside

Here is a look inside an Eastern Bluebird nest box. This nest is typical of an Eastern Bluebird, crafted with grasses and relatively neat. You cannot see it from this photo, but there is a distinct cup inside this nest, which is where the eggs are placed, and incubated. Scroll down to see more. 

In this photo, you can get an idea of the interior shape of the nest. These are the eggs of the Eastern Bluebird. At this time, there were four eggs in the nest. 

Eastern Bluebirds lay one egg per day, with an average clutch of 4-6 eggs. There are now five eggs in the nest and the female has begun to incubate the eggs. This is an especially important time to not disturb the nest so that the eggs are not abandoned.

So, the boxes have freshly painted roofs. There were rumours of House Sparrows in the area. House Sparrows are an invasive, unprotected species which will attack and kill nesting native birds. No one wants them around nest boxes. There are many ways of trying to control, or deter them. Some people swear that House Sparrows will stay away from roofs painted blue. It seemed to be a reasonable thing to try, so four of the six roofs were painted before rains moved in. Obviously, the blue does not bother the Tree Swallow pictured here, and that's a good thing!

They're Baaaaack!

Although some Eastern Bluebirds continued their presence in the park during this past very cold winter, there is increased activity as of late and it's quite possible that some Eastern Bluebirds have returned from a short-distance migration. If you are in the park, watch for the bluebirds which have recently been seen perching on the fences and flying around the nest boxes.

Today brought the first sighting of Tree Swallows in the park. These acrobatic flyers are already reducing the local insect population and will continue to do so from dawn 'til dusk until they leave again in late summer.  These birds have recently returned from as far away as southern Central America.  Watch for their acrobatic flights over the cattails and ballfields. They will likely also begin to check out the nest boxes shortly.

 This is another owl which can be found in our area. This Barred Owl was found during the Christmas Bird Count conducted in Boyce-Mayview Park. This owl may nest in the park, which would be exciting. Although it looks as if I was very close to this owl, I was not. I used a telephoto lens. We are coming up on nesting season and it is important to keep your distance from possibly nesting birds, in order to ensure their success. This owl makes some raucous noise, and is known for it's insistent call of "Who cooks for you? Who cooks for you all?"  Now you have a face to go with that call which you may hear at night. Should I get photos of young Barred Owls this spring, I will post them here. Check back!