Checkling out the nestbox
A pair of starlings was looking at the nestbox. Hoping someone claims it soon!
Carolina Chickadee with Babies
In this entertaining GIF, Mama arrives and feeds her 3-day old babies.
Recorded with a Blink Mini camera.
Starlings checking out the nestbox
Today a male starling was looking at the nestbox, he inspected the whole thing and looked inside. He called over the female who didn’t look pleased with it. (She didn’t even look inside) There is a wasp inside. We tried blasting it out with the hose yesterday, it left, and now it’s back. I heard that vaseline can help. Is this true and how do I prevent the wasp from coming back?
Carolina Chickadees checking out my new nestbox
A male chickadee flew over to the fence near my nestbox, he then when inside, came out, and called to his female. She flew over and went inside. We just put the nestbox up 2 days ago.
Nuthatch in a Bluebird House
Nuthatch feeding young in a bluebird house.
New Birdhouse Quickly Moved-Into
Around mid-July I put out three gourd birdhouses on our deck. A few weeks later (a few WEEKS!!!), a pair of Carolina Wrens moved into the top gourd. I was so surprised and excited that birds moved in so quickly!!!
Wren
Excitement on my Windowsill—Ansel attacking his reflection, a male Northern Cardinal eating, and a Carolina Wren entering my nest box for the first time!
Ansel flew to my window AGAIN and attacked his reflection. FOR 30 MINUTES. AND HE’S STILL HERE!!!
He won’t stop even through I drew highlighter on the outside of my window to break up his reflection. This time I’m even more sure it’s territorial aggression because another Tufted Titmouse flew up and he didn’t attack it. I’m guessing she’s Ansel’s mate. While I was videoing, a male Northern Cardinal came to eat and a Carolina Wren entered my nest box! This is the first time a bird has entered that nest box.
Ansel still will not leave though. What will make him stop attacking his reflection in my window sill!?
First Bird I’ve Seen in my Nest Box!!!
4/8/2021, 11:30 AM — A Carolina Wren entered my window nest box!!!
I put it out in March, and birds are finally stating to check it out!!!
Today is the first time I’ve seen one enter it, but a Carolina Chickadee and Tufted Titmouse have inspected it before.
Territorial Aggression?
4/7/2021— This Tufted Titmouse woke me up at 8:00 AM to loud chirping and banging outside my window.
Recently, I put out a nest box on my window sill. In case my presence would deter birds from nesting in it, I applied 1-way window-film. Unfortunately, it blocks sunshine from entering my room and it’s reflective on the outside.
I believe this Titmouse was attacking his reflection, thinking it was a rival bird. (I decided to name him “Ansel,” which means “protecter.”)
I drew highlighter on the window to get him to stop, but he hasn’t come back yet so I’m not sure whether it worked or not.
I do have a bird feeder on my windowsill as well, but, since Tufted Titmouse nesting season is beginning, I figured it was probably more likely he was attacking things to protect his nesting territory or claim a new one.
Will birds attack anywhere on their territory or only near their nest? Does he want my new birdhouse?
Eastern Bluebird – Female and Eggs!
The first image is of the female in our bluebird nesting pair, seemingly watching us as we observe from afar. The second image, taken on March 22, 2021, captures the actual bluebird nest with five eggs.
UNKNOWN NESTWATCH DATA
This is a clay pot birdhouse on someone’s deck at the Kentucky Castle. It looks out onto a pasture with goats. I saw a Tree Swallow enter it 3 times. This is not the first time I’ve seen a Tree Swallow nest on/near someone’s house. Our friends made a small birdhouse without a back and placed it on their windowsill. They posted pictures of the Tree Swallow in it with eggs on Facebook.
Carolina Wren Babies
As we have been watching these four Carolina Wren eggs in the NestWatch spirit, these four little fellas hatched sometime between our last checkup!
Tree Swallow
House wrens
chicks
Carolina Chickadee Hatchlings
Carolina Chickadee hatchlings. Hatched yesterday, 5/15. Mother incubated for at least 14 days. Count 5 heads and it looks like 1 more. There were 6 eggs.
Bluebird and chick in a birdhouse
We built this birdhouse for a public space in our neighborhood. In the spring of 2007 a family raised chicks here and we were lucky to catch a feeding. The house has been used several years since, most recently in 2013.