The FLICKERS who have nested in one of the trio of closely-grouped, large
nestboxes are still tending their young. I did check my ventilation on the
boxes yesterday and wished that perhaps I'd done better in providing this
detail as the temperature approached 100 degrees Fahrenheit!

Also yesterday, I used a piece of new black plastic - a fresh new large
black garbage bag will work - and made an IMPROMPTU BIRD BATH that the
FLICKERS took to immediately. Nothing more than placing it in a shallow
depression and adding water. Coiled rope, electrical cord, short 2X4s,
sticks, etc. can be used to create the depression on whatever surface. Just
have it away from cover, where cats could hide and wait to pounce. It is
easy to clean and add fresh water to and only has to be around while the
weather is extremely hot.

I think I may have hit on something with the trio of closely grouped
nestboxes. The Starlings claimed one and defended the other two from other
Starlings. That left two for the Flickers, as I'd read that the female
roosts in another nearby cavity at night while the male incubates on the
night shift. (Does this night division of labor sound familiar guys?) I
have the boxes out of direct view from the house - screened in this case by
some lilac bushes - and under some Dougfirs that shade the nestboxes from
intense, direct sunlight. I have them mounted on steel "T-posts" (8 and 10
feet long) with protection from predators climbing the posts. The book -
Bluebird Monitor's Guide by the North American Bluebird Society has some
good information on methods to try.

Have no idea as to how much monitoring the Flickers will allow. I've peeked
in twice on the chicks and once earlier to find the clutch of seven eggs.
Right now, it is wait and watch and hope. But, I'm tempted to look and see
if the runt of the three I saw several days ago has died and needs to be
removed. An awful lot of flies around the entry hole yesterday when I
checked on the ventilation.

Stay Cool!

**** ************ ****
John Allinger
Hockinson, Clark County, Washington
< nhojregnilla at hotmail.com >

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