Hi Tweets,

Over the past several days we have been making the rounds of the
local bluebird nestboxes, and the results are very surprising,
considering the cold weather this spring. Last year we recorded 6
nesting attempts by 3 pairs, based on box use, site use, and
timing, although we could not know it was 3 pairs with certainty,
because none of the birds were banded. Last year the study area
consisted of 15 nestboxes at 3 clearcuts. Early this year we added
an additional 15 boxes at 5 new sites. Over the past several days we
have documented 8 active nests at 7 sites ! Seven nests have eggs,
and at one nest the adults are feeding young. One of the nests has
6 eggs, the first 6 egg clutch we have seen. We have never seen any
banded birds, and we are actively looking for bands. The nest
with young is at the Kunde Road clearcut, same box location as last
year. If you visit this site, please watch your step, there is a
killdeer nest on the gravel road, near the log pile. Hoping for
good weather.

Stan Kostka
lynnandstan at earthlink.net
Arlington WA