Bluebirds nesting 2012

[linrose]

Here's a pic of the nest. Still no eggs, I don't know what bird made it.

[dapjwy]

Originally Posted by linrose

Here's a pic of the nest. Still no eggs, I don't know what bird made it.

For some reason that looks familar to me. Not sure why or what it is...but it doesn't look like one of the nasties. Keep us posted...I could be wrong.

[fishlkmich]

It isn't HOSP. If it had more sphagnum in there, I'd say incomplete chickadee nest. Still could be. Looks like it is being lined with fine animal hair. That would be consistent. Could be a first year pair that is practicing. I've seen some pretty bad nests from amateurs.

[dapjwy]

Originally Posted by fishlkmich

It isn't HOSP. If it had more sphagnum in there, I'd say incomplete chickadee nest. Still could be. Looks like it is being lined with fine animal hair. That would be consistent. Could be a first year pair that is practicing. I've seen some pretty bad nests from amateurs.

Chickadee was what first came to my mind as well...but then I wasn't so sure and just said it looked "familiar".

Interesting...I never thought about amateurs and bad nests. I guess I'll learn more the more I observe.

I saw a chickadee checking out one of my bluebird boxes out in the open...that prompted me to buy another box and place it in a large rhododendron near the house where I've seen the chickadees check out in past years--only to find a small hole in one of the thick trunks...not really a nesting site for them. I'm hoping they find the new house there, that it is not too late, and that they use it successfully.

[Teresa]

I've heard really good things about Steve Gilbertson's PVC nest box and am thinking about trying one.

Here's a link to buy one:
Home Page

And here's a link to build one:
http://www.nysbs.org/handouts/GilbertsonPVCNestbox.pdf

They are supposed to be very easy to 'open' for viewing. . .

[linrose]

I checked again and I missed the four eggs that are there, I had look hard to see them they were almost covered by a feather. They are small cream colored with a few reddish brown spots on one end. I don't think I can get a photo of them. I looked at the photos on ths Sialis website and they could be Carolina chickadee or tufted titmouse. I have a Carolina wren nest in the Christmas wreath that also has four eggs, they look very similar only a little smaller.

[dapjwy]

Congratulations, linrose.

Originally Posted by linrose

I have a Carolina wren nest in the Christmas wreath that also has four eggs, they look very similar only a little smaller.

Now that would make a great photo, I'd bet.

[linrose]

Well it's confirmed, fishlkmich and dap, you were right, it's a Carolina chickadee! I went to check the box today and staring back up at me was a cute little black and white face. I probably freaked her out but she just tilted her hed and looked at me. I try to make noise and lightly tap the box so the mom leaves before I check the nests and the bluebirds always leave but not this little chickadee! I'll leave her be for awhile.

Meanwhile the 5 eggs in the bluebird nest started hatching today. There were three hatchlings and two eggs when I checked this morning. All good so far!

dap - I'd love to get a photo of the wrens but they make such a deep nest I can't get the camera in there to photograph them. Maybe when they're almost ready to fledge and stick their heads out for food. I don't want to frighten Mom off though, those little ones need constant feeding!

[fishlkmich]

That's what threw me. Our chickadees need more insulation!

Congrats on your successes!

I have found that every species of bird that I have worked with will allow you to touch them on a nest. I frequently don't look when I count eggs and latch on to a female incubating, instead of what I'm after. I simply apologize and move on. They will let you count the eggs if you want to.

[dapjwy]

Originally Posted by linrose

Well it's confirmed, fishlkmich and dap, you were right, it's a Carolina chickadee! I went to check the box today and staring back up at me was a cute little black and white face. I probably freaked her out but she just tilted her hed and looked at me. I try to make noise and lightly tap the box so the mom leaves before I check the nests and the bluebirds always leave but not this little chickadee! I'll leave her be for awhile.

Meanwhile the 5 eggs in the bluebird nest started hatching today. There were three hatchlings and two eggs when I checked this morning. All good so far!

Cool. You'll never guess what I have nesting in one of my boxes now too--well, at least *building* a nest...I've got a chickadee interested in the real estate too! I didn't expect it to want to be that much out in the open. There is that Japanese maple not too far from the entrance hole (but none too close either) and a sycamore a bit away from one side...but I guess that is woodsy enough for her/them. BTW, my Japanese maple seems to be getting ready to leaf out despite the shovel attack I gave the bark earlier this spring. I thought I did a good job of girdling it, but apparently not.

I was surprised to see that the chickadee put moss in on the bottom...I thought they lined the top of it with moss.

I even put a box up inside of a rhododendron near the house--I've seen the chickadees flit in and out of there before...but, I guess she made her choice. There may be two pair around (at least I've seen four chickadees coming to the seeds and nuts I still put out. So, we'll see if that new box gets used.



Oh, and my bluebirds have built a nest...I'll have to see if there are any eggs in it yet.

Isn't it exciting?

Originally Posted by linrose

dap - I'd love to get a photo of the wrens but they make such a deep nest I can't get the camera in there to photograph them. Maybe when they're almost ready to fledge and stick their heads out for food. I don't want to frighten Mom off though, those little ones need constant feeding!

It would be great if you could see the nest, eggs, or nestlings...but even seeing the mother perched on the wreath would likely look pretty cool.