Sunday 2017-06-18 (9am): The Bay Area is tucking into a heat wave, so we went a bit early to try to beat the heat. I am wishing we had thought to install shade baffles for these boxes, but this is being a learning experience. The "batchelor button" flowers have come into bloom, and the grasses are very tall. The two Red-tail hawk fledgings were perched on the nearby utility poles, and we were serenaded by their constant calls during our entire visit.
Box #1: A Tree Swallow exited the box as we approached, and there are now 5 perfectly white eggs inside. We added some ventilation holes along the top sides. This box may be advantageous in the warmer weather now, having some shade.
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| Box #1. |
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Box #2: Still empty. Some ventilation holes were added to the top and bottom.
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| Box #2. |
Box #3: Still an abandoned nest. My Dad added some additional top ventilation holes.
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| Box #3. |
Box #4: Western Bluebirds were seen nearby, and there are 4 beautiful blue eggs.
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| Near Box #4. |
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| Box #4. |
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| Box #4 |
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| Box #4. |
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Box #5. This box now has Tree Swallows in it -- and the adult did not leave during the nest check! She looked to be sitting on at least 2 eggs.
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| The Tree Swallow parent near Box #5. |
Box #6: Empty.
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| Box #6. |
Box #7: No longer occupied (hopefully the last clutch of Tree Swallow fledged), so we cleaned out the nest box.
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| Cleaning out Box #7. |
Box #8: There is another Tree Swallow nest underway in this box -- with 5 eggs now.
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| Box #8. A Tree Swallow nest. |
Box #9: The Western Bluebirds have decided to use this box again, and there are now 4 blue eggs.
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| Box #9. Four blue eggs. |
Box #10. Still unchanged, no eggs.
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| Box #10. |
In addition to the Red-tails, this very large hawk was perched closeby in the trees near the creek ... can anyone identify it??
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