I enjoy walking the trails on our Tree Farm as often as I can just to
see, observe and listen to the birds and animals. When I heard the
sad-minor-key spring song of the Black-capped Chickadee, I knew that
serious nest building was going on nearby. Sure enough a pair is nesting
in a 10 foot alder snag along one of the trails. The perfectly round hole
is about a foot from the top of the snag. Another hole is being excavated
about 18" below the first hole. Don't know if this is another pair, but
watching them dart into the hole then fly out and land on a nearby twig
and going ptui is always fun to observe. Apparently the Chestnut-backed
Chickadees would just as soon use a nest box for they have used at least
two of the boxes we put out last year and are definitely using one this
year. Have not yet been lucky enough to see them at the other boxes.

Several Robins always nest on our property and one this year is about
5 feet up on a branch up against the trunk of a 15 foot cedar tree growing
near one of our ponds.

The most unusual nest accidentally discovered as I have walked the
trails has been the nest of a Brown Creeper. I saw a bird zip under a
piece of bark as I passed by the tall 80-foot alder snag (actually it
could be classified as a dead alder as the windstorms have not yet snapped
it off and it still has loose bark hanging on it). I have seen the creeper
carry pieces of material to the site several times now and never a sound
have I heard. I know the song of the Brown Creeper is not very exciting,
just 4 high pitched notes uttered in a specific pattern, but I have not
heard it. Perhaps there is no nearby competition. I actually had been
worried that the Brown Creeper had been extirpated from our forest after
the 1993 Inauguration Day windstorm blew down or broke off 7 acres of huge
80-90 year old trees. I rarely see a creeper. This indeed is a thrill to
see a pair nesting alongside our forest trail.

Only Mallard drakes are left on the ponds these days as the hens have
gone off to nest. Unfortunately one was discovered by a Red-tailed Hawk no
less. The hawk flushed from beside the little stream as I walked the
trail. I knew there must be some kind of prey left there on the ground for
me to spot. I was surprised to see it was a Mallard duck. The red-tail
must have seized her not long before I passed by. It circled around and
probably returned to the kill but I did not stick around to observe.
Several days later only feathers and a few bones were left and a few days
after that the bones were gone and a coyote had left its scat at the
spot.

Even a Canada Goose pair has decided that the island in one of our
ponds will make a good nesting place. I say "even" because the geese have
visited us regularly for several years but have not tried nesting
before. Having goslings on our pond will be a new experience.

Yes, spring nesting season does bring new thrills, sights and pleasures
to the dedicated birder.

Erin

Bill and Erin Woods Woods Tree Farm Redmond, WA U.S.A.
<wwwbike at halcyon.com>