The timid Black-capped Chickadee continued to return several times yesterday with a green larva, perhaps not really understanding, or hoping that a helpless dead baby would magically revive. I removed the dead body for sanitation, discouragement to the Sparrow, and in hopes the Chickadees would try again. From what I have read they only have one brood a year, so that may be it. I also installed a restrictive collar at the bird house entrance, which seems to have upset the House Sparrow.
I worry about the other two nesting boxes with Swallows, but so far the Swallows seen to refuse to allow the Sparrow around. They are a little larger than the Chickadees, and are more aggressive in their defense by blocking the entrance with their body and attacking the Sparrow. We leave in two days for a three and a half month volunteer position on the coast so we may never know the outcome.
And we expect published day of work/days of off time so that visits can be scheduled. Also, the name of the park, please! Again, great descriptive powers you have, Jim-san.
ReplyDeleteLarry, we will be staying in the Waxmyrtle Campground in the Siltcoos River Area of the Siuslaw National Forest. This is 10 miles south of Florence. Monday we begin one to two weeks of training, after that we hope to know about days on and off.
DeleteThe House Sparrow is a good example of what invasive species can do to upset the proper balance of nature. You will have to give us more information on your restrictive collar that seems to stop that sparrow from gaining entry to the nesting box. Lee
ReplyDeleteLee, this is just one I cobbled up. This particular nesting box originally had one when I bought it from Salem Audubon, but I thought it was probably not necessary and removed it. :( Live and learn!
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