Dennis, do Bushtits build a whole new nest for their second brood? In March, I
watched a flock of Bushtits build a nest in two weeks about 8 feet up in the
center of a tightly branched but leafless deciduous tree (sorry I don't know
what kind) on the edge of the parking area by the Edmonds Marsh. A couple
weeks later, I noticed the bottom had been pulled out and dropped below in the
branches. Although it could have been Crows, I watched distantly while a few
boys acting suspiciously and talking about collecting "garbage" hung out in the
area. The boys did nothing bad, possibly because my body language made it
clear I was keeping an eye on them. When the boys had gone, two Bushtits came
to the nest, checked out the damage inside and out, and flew off. The nest was
completely abandoned while the tree leafed out. Then, just a couple weeks ago,
I was surprised to see two birds duck into the nest and out again. The bottom
looked like it might have been repaired, although the old bottom still lay
below as before. Could the Bushtit community have built this for use as a
second nest once the tree leafed out?

Patricia Lott
Seattle, WA

Netta Smith wrote:

> Interesting insight into starling biology. I saw a flock yesterday
> consisting of a dozen juveniles, only juveniles. My speculation is that the
> juveniles flock together because the adults aren't ready to do so, because
> they've started on raising a second brood, while the juveniles of course
> have nothing to do but become wintertime starlings.
>
> A nestful of Black-capped Chickadees just fledged a day or two ago in our
> yard, while a pair of Bushtits have just finished making their nest.
> Either the latter really late starters, or their first nest was destroyed.
>
> Finally, there was a Willow Flycatcher in the yard yesterday morning
> (6/7/02), presumably a late migrant. There have been little flocks of Cedar
> Waxwings in the neighborhood the past few days. There are still a lot of
> migrant birds moving around in June in this area.
>
> Anyone noticed a sign of global warming around here yet?
>
> Dennis
> --
> Netta Smith and Dennis Paulson
> 1724 NE 98 St.
> Seattle, WA 98115