Sunday 2017-03-26 (10:00-11:30): The site measured 25 miles from home. We checked on all of the boxes, and recorded some physical data on the boxes. We still need to take some additional physical measurements on the boxes, including GPS locations. We also still need to paint the boxes with more permanent number markings. It was overcast with a few sprinkles when we first arrived, but the sun started coming out toward the end of our visit. The site was very "birdy", with a wonderful birdsong serenade. We were definitely being watched by the birds! At least two pairs of Bluebirds, and many Tree Swallows, were out and about and also visiting boxes 8, 9, and 10. A hawk was perched on the blade of a windmill(!) in the field across the road. After getting back in the car, we enjoyed watching two Bluebirds take a bath in a puddle right by the car. The Bluebirds are especially bold, flying quite close to us and immediately returning to boxes 9 and 10 after our checks. The Tree Swallows are a bit more skittish, but also began returning to boxes 8 and 9 quite soon after our check. It looks like there will be a dispute over box 9, between the Bluebirds and the Tree Swallows. We also saw California Towhees about, and I may have seen a House Wren on top of box 2 as we drove away.
Box #1 (on the north side of the road by the creek):
19 March 2017: New box, new location.
26 March 2017: Empty.
 |
| Box#1: Height to opening: 68.5"; Box dimensions: 10.75x5.5x5.5" |
Box #2 (on the north side of the road by the creek):
19 March 2017: Refurbished box, new location.
26 March 2017: Empty.
 |
| Box #2: Height to opening: 66.0"; Box dimensions: 9.5x5.5x5.5" |
Box #3 (in the center of the vineyard):
19 March 2017: Refurbished box, original location. Very recent bird activity: Droppings and feathers on entrance hole and inside box.
26 March 2017: Empty (no fresh droppings).
 |
| Box#3: Height to opening: 64.5"; Box dimensions: 9.75x5.5x5.5" |
Box #4 (on the easternmost south side of the vineyard):
19 March 2017: New box, new location.
26 March 2017: Empty.
 |
| Box#4: Height to opening: 65.5"; Box dimensions: 10.0x5.5x5.5" |
Box #5 (on the south side of the vineyard):
19 March 2017: New box, new location.
26 March 2017: Empty.
 |
| Box #5: Height to opening: 65.0"; Box dimensions: 10.75x5.5x5.5" |
Box #6 (on the south side of the vineyard):
19 March 2017: Refurbished box, original location.
26 March 2017: Empty.
 | |
| Box #6: Height to opening: 65.5". Box dimensions: 10.75x5.5x5.5" |
Box #7 (on the south side of the vineyard):
19 March 2017: Refurbished box, original location.
26 March 2017: Empty.
 |
| Box #7: Height to opening: 67.75". Box dimensions: 10.75x5.5x5.5" |
Box #8 (on the westernmost south side of the vineyard):
19 March 2017: New box, new location.
26 March 2017: Empty. Saw Tree Swallows seen sitting on and entering box.
 |
| Box #8: Height to opening: 65.5". Box dimensions: 12.5x6.0x7.5" |
Box #9 (on the western side of the vineyard edge):
19 March 2017: New box, original location.
26 March 2017: Empty. Bird droppings inside box. Bluebirds and Tree Swallows seen sitting on and entering box.
 |
| Box #9: Height to opening: 65.0". Box dimensions: 12.5x5.5x7.5" |
Box #10 (at the vineyard entrance):
19 March 2017: Refurbished box, original location.
26 March 2017: Empty. Bluebirds seen sitting on and entering box.
 |
| Box #10: Height to opening: 67.5". Box dimensions: 10.0x5.5x6.5" |
More pictures from 26 March 2017:
