On Sat, 29 Jun 1996, Dennis Paulson wrote:

> At that point I really began to wonder what percentage of the small birds
> in our big cities are actually able to fledge young. It would be
> interesting to get a report from anyone who observed fledglings in their
> yard (and, of course, what species they were). So far this year, besides


Well here is the quick summary from my yard. EVERY robin nest that I have
found in the last eight years in my yard (just three) has succumbed to
crows making me wonder how any could be left. Black capped chickadees
fledged young last year. They may have been taken by Steller's Jays the
previous year (I can't actually see the nest hole without disturbing the
chickadees so I don't try but I can see Jays hanging around). This year I
am not sure but there don't appear to be a lot of extra chickadees. Barn
swallows fledged young two years ago, failed last year for unknown
reasons, and just hatched a few days ago this year. The one house finch
nest I knew about succumbed at least partially to cats. Same with house
sparrow. Starlings have successfully fledged young. I can only assume
that nests that are better hidden from us are also better hidden from
predators so that there is a negative correlation between finding a nest
and its success rate.

Jim Elder (jime at eskimo.com)
SEA, Inc.
7030 220th St SW
Mountlake Terrace, WA 98043