There are 40 nest boxes on our property and they are often occupied by blue birds, tree swallows, and wrens; occassionally chickadees and titmouse will use the boxes. Nest boxes are cleaned twice a year. This bluebird pair look happy.  Occassionally a bear will tear down a few so then repairs are needed, or some may need to be moved. The tree swallows keep the mosquitoes and biting insects under control while we fish. Their cheerful chatter is missed when they leave after breeding season.
 This young Cooper's hawk grabbed a robin and then flew off with it. They like to nest about 15 feet up in the mature pines or hemlocks at the edge of the meadow with the ponds. Some times they use old crow nests. Usually they get doves or birds larger than the robins.  A little green-backed heron is checking out the big pond. They hunt the minnows that hide from the bass in the shallows of the pond.  |
The redwings sucessfully nested in the cattails of the middle pond this year for the first time. They can be very agressive and would drive bomb anyone walking too close to their nest which was well hidden.
 House wrens came after the bluebirds and swalllows but will claim several nesting boxes filling each with twigs until full, then only nest in one. Any nest with no eggs is tossed out so that the bluebirds or swallows can start a second brood.  This scarlet tanager is a tree top bird that sounds like a drunk robin singing. They like to nest in the deciduious trees like the maples, or oaks, or hickory. They brighten up our hedgerow with their color and slurry song.  A great horned owl arrives after the sun sets.  |
