We checked all the boxes with known activity today. The nests that had bluebirds had all fledged, so Box 11 and Box 4 (2 birds last time) were empty. At the far end I have been reluctant to move Box 14, as it has been a popular territory for bluebirds, though now with tall vegetation is inconvenient to check (chiggers!). I finally ventured to out there and found sticks inside. If you have followed this blog at all last year, you know what that means: house wrens. Sticks were up to the top.
The wren nests are very difficult to check, as the pile of sticks supports the nest in a far corner and the whole assembly collapses easily. I moved things carefully. As soon as I saw a little pink in there, the nest was clearly there. Better to leave nature take care of things. I will not check the box till September.
Elsewhere swallows allowed me access. Box 1 had almost grown swallows. I closed it after a very brief look.
Another swallow nest near the middle of the trail had fledged all the nestlings I only once had a peek at. Except for one. It was dead, mummified, I will spare you the picture. Contents were removed here:
The weedy flowers ("forbs") are quite tall where there is no grass after the last burn.
North Side: Swallows and Bluebirds active
The Box 3 naked babies of 9 days ago
Are now almost fully feathered (you can still see pinfeathers) :
On the golf course tree line the one egg Bluebird nest is now 3 eggs (Box 16). What slowpokes, 2 more eggs in 9 days?
Box 18 swallows allowed a look at the nest. Note the feather lining:
There are 5 or more nestlings there.
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