Video: House Wren cleaning up and starting nest
The "Starling-proof" Flicker box that we built and hung did not attract the species it was designed for, so I decided to change things up a bit and hung the Troyer that I built in that spot. I saw a Downy checking it out and packed it tightly with wood shavings in case she wanted to excavate a roosting spot. Then, a differently looking beak showed up and started to get to work. A House Wren! It started taking the shavings out, one by one, hyperactively, and now has begun to bring sticks in. Wrens have nested in that spot before and I am happy to see them back. I don't want to tinker with the door to restrict access to larger species now, so we will have to see if the Troyer style works out. At least with the camera I can monitor precisely.
Video: I have always loved
the song of the Bluebird but it is awesome to hear them up close, communicating around the nest. Here, the male, Mandrake, goes in to "rearrange the furniture" while the female, Dr. Clara, is waiting outside. It appears that she soon has enough of him doing that, and she demands that he come out 😊
In the second video, he is showing off his vocal skills when he again went into the box to “fix things”. At the end, you can hear a little warning call that they do when they feel that they need to take cover.
And just like that,
the second nesting is underway. I have said it yesterday already but i am over the moon that they are back and building. Here, you can see Dr. Clara bring in pine needles and then spreading her wings and pushing with her chest to form the nest cup.
I watched and waited,
but the BBs would not attempt to get into the new box. time feels of the essence right now, so I caved. I did what I wanted to do for a while now anyways and updated the old box. Made a new roof with a camera housing. It is all mounted now, and I hope it is not too late and the BBs will return and find it again to their liking. And I got such a kick out of the new and improved view into the box. How befitting for today, it is the release anniversay of Binaural too 😊 (one of my favorite albums that has a nebula on the cover).
Video: vocal Starlings in nest box
Some Starlings have been checking out the Flicker box that we built last year. We built a Starling-proof box but I took the shield away last summer to see if maybe a bird checks it on the way. A Flicker did indeed come and check it out a couple of times, so I am hopeful for the summer. I have now put the shield up that is supposed to deny the Starlings an entrance (apparently, they like to fly on head-on) but the Wyze cam got some cool footage before. Listen to these beatboxes!
Video: Flick is back!
After ten days, the Northern Flicker came back tonight and is now sleeping in the nestbox :D The photo I snapped when he first came to check it out.
Video: A Flicker in the Flicker box!
As you know, we built a Flicker nestbox earlier this year, but no Flicker or other bird came to nest in it. A House Wren inspected it a couple of times but that was it. I had taken the Starling shield away and put on a Wren whole restrictor, only to later also remove that to see what would happen since nesting season is basically over. And then this morning, a Northern Flicker actually went in there several times and hung out in it for a while, enjoying the view. These large wodpeckers are one of my absolute favorites, and I would be thrilled have them nest in this box. Hopefully, he remembers next year. I am so excited!
Video: House Wren building nest
We put a hole restrictor on the Flicker box a while ago so that only small birds like a Wren or Chickadee could get in. It looks like a Wren found it accomodating.
We will see if this turns into an actual nest or just a mock nest.
Video: Ruby-throated Hummingbird
There are very few hummingbirds around this year, but last night one of my cams captured this cutie. Looks like she has a white dot on the head. Could be a discoloration or could be pollen. I wish she would have had a sip but at least she now knows where it is.
Video: House Wren checking out nestbox
This morning, a House Wren inspected the Flicker box. It is a huge box that is filled with wood shavings, but the Wren has nested in something similar before, so I would not be surprised if it happened again. Let’s hope it doesn’t just build a mock nest in there.
