This morning persistence paid off, I got a photo of a
Black-capped Chickadee checking out one of our nesting sites at the SalemAudubon Nature Reserve. This was my
sixth trip back since seeing the activity on Saturday, and I wanted
photographic evidence.
The whole design of making an artificial cavity for a nesting site was something I came up with in the middle of the night. Lots of ideas of mine don’t turn out so good when looked at in the light of day. They seem perfect as I roll and toss in a state of semi-consciousness all night long, but when examined closely the next morning after I’m wide awake, I often wonder, “what made me think that was a good idea”. So understandably I have been a little anxious to see if this is one that turns out.
Now it’s a waiting game to see if the site passed inspection
or they choose another one, then more waiting to see if the chickadees actually
construct a nest in this cavity or another. And even more important and
requiring even more waiting, that they are successful in raising some chicks. I
think there is going to be a lot more patience and persistence involved in this
project.
Sounds as difficult as having and raising human 'chicks'.
ReplyDeleteJim does a 60-minute bird walk out at the Reserve before our crew goes to work at 9:00 am. on Wednesday. Today he reported seeing a Pacific Wren, which favors nesting close to the ground. Our next project, then, is to build some nesting cavities in some left over oak branch snags and place them in desirable areas on the ground within the Reserve. Jim will be keeping his woodworking tools busy for another round of building subsidized bird housing. We love this guy and his ingenuity. Lee
ReplyDeleteGiven how much I enjoy seeing birds inspect, use, and raise their young in my ordinary plan-built bird houses, I can imagine how exciting this would be. I'm looking forward to more pictures and stories of the project as it progresses this spring and summer.
ReplyDeleteA lot of us will be anxious to see these cavities used. I think that it is an exceptional effort and hope that the Chickadees do also.
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