Tweets

We have several birdhouses around our place. There is one ouside our
kitchen window attached to the trunk of a birch tree. It is rustic,
bark covered and customized for Nuthatches, but Chickadees are in it
now and very busy going in and out. Something is going on in there.
Another house much like it except the hole is sized for Chickadees, is
mounted high up on the trunk of a fir tree.

I have been watching this house expecting to see activity there, but
no birds. For several days now, it has been apparent that something
was obstructing the entry hole but I couldn't see just what it was.
Today, I got out my binoculars and had a look. It looks like moss on
the inside of the hole partially covering it. Now comes the surprise.

While I was looking at the entry hole, something flew in there. It
was smaller than a bird and moved fast more like an insect, a large
insect. At first I thought it might be a hummingbird, but I never
heard of hummingbirds using bird houses and whatever it was was really
too small for a hummer, small as they are. After I got my field
glasses (a little more power) I was able to see bumblebees, big ones
going in and out.
I don't think I will bother them for a while and keep an eye on
things. I hope they will vacate without any help from me. Certainly,
the birds are not bothering them. Are there any Bee Eaters around?
That's what I need. Who has had experience with this sort of thing?

Ed Lamb,

Bellevue, WA