Tweets,

In my research on cavity nesting birds along the east-slope of the Cascades, most of my Hairy Woodpecker nests I am monitoring are about 3 weeks later this year than in the past 3 years. White-headed Woodpeckers seem to be right on target compared to the previous years, but they are always one of the last species to initiate nests. Western Bluebirds (WEBL) are also late this year, being about 2- 3 weeks later than the past years average. Fortunately, I have not had any of my nests this year abandoned due to the weather. I thought the bluebirds would be in for a loss with that cold wet weather we had a week ago since many nests were hatching or had young chicks. But, they seem to be doing very well with the only losses being due to predation. WEBL clutch sizes also seem to be slightly larger, with it seems more first nests this year with 7 eggs and I even have one WEBL and one Mountain Bluebird nest with 8 eggs, a first for my monitoring with either species.

Jeff Kozma

jcr underscore 5105 at charter dot net

Yakima
----- Original Message -----
From: Kristi Hein
To: Tweeters List
Sent: Friday, June 13, 2008 9:35 PM
Subject: [Tweeters] Nesting Failures


I am so interested to see this thread, as I had noted a conspicuous absence of V-G Swallow activity in the past week, and was worried that they had abandoned the nest box they used successfully in 2007 and 2006. I was on the verge of getting out the ladder and having a look. But yesterday we saw a swallow go in and stay in, and later I saw more comings and goings. Also today. I still don't know whether they have eggs or chicks or are just having another try, but I don't want to disturb them!

About a week or ten days ago we observed a male V-G vociferously chasing away a HOSP; before that a V-G scolded me when I began gardening near their box, but calmed down when I talked to it. But in the following days it got very quiet. I do think it's the unusually cold wet weather.

Like others, I've seen plenty of other species' fledglings. Our feeders have been heavily used by parents feeding begging chicks -- Hairy Woodpeckers, R-B Nuthatches, and both species of chickadees (and the young soon figuring out how to feed themselves). We've seen young D-E Juncos, Pine Siskins, Robins, and many many Rufous -- so many they sometimes actually share the same feeder. Needless to say, the Starlings have been hounded by sets of their screeching chicks, and HOSPs are probably on their third broods in the "deck rookery" next door.

I hope other posters will follow up with their observations.

Good luck with the nest boxes!

Kristi
Anacortes
khc
at
picturesandwords.com


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