Nest Box Drama

 

Western Bluebird Approaching Nest Box, GG Park Bison Paddock

The warm weather seems to have energized the nesting activity of the tree swallows and Western bluebirds around the Bison Paddock nest boxes. Some of the boxes had no activity while others were being contested, with swallows and bluebirds alternately trying to take possession of the same box. I wondered if the contested boxes are superior in any way to the other ones, or what. Maybe seeing someone else take over a nest box is enough to make you want it.

And speaking of getting what you want, after striking out at Andronico's, Safeway, and Gus's, I finally found a couple jars of Maya Kaimal Kashmiri Curry Indian Simmer Sauce at the Whole Foods in the Haight this morning. Previously, we had found it only at Harvest Market in Fort Bragg. We like all their sauces, but the Kashmiri Curry no ka oi.

Ruby-crowned Kinglet, Fuchsia Dell

Nuttall's Woodpecker, Whiskey Hill
(Golden clouds of pollen were wafting off the branches of the Monterey cypress trees. I spotted another hummingbird nest on a high branch in one of them -- too high to photograph though.)

Every time the bluebirds left the box, a pair of tree swallows would try to take it over. The bluebirds managed to keep chasing them out.

Possession is Nine-tenths of the Law

There seemed to be a detente on the other side of the paddock, where the bluebirds had their box and the tree swallows were the neighbors next door.

Noisy Neighbors

The bluebird on the fence flew up onto a nearby tree branch, but still kept an eye on its nest box.

Tree Swallow

The tree swallows are definitely more hyper than the bluebirds.

Coming In/Going Out

Mt. Shasta This Morning

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