First Empty Nest of 2019

As expected my first empty nest of 2019 came from the Forgotten Land. Six young Tree Swallows successfully fledged from their nest box in the last week or so. This same box was the first empty nest of 2018 as well. Last year they had 7 young if I am not mistaken. I am happy about this, especially considering what has happened in the other two nests.

I checked those other boxes and the one pair of Swallows chose not to return after losing all their young.

The other nest still has 2 eggs inside (4 were stolen) and some very agitated parents protecting them. The eggs should have hatched by now. I will leave them be for a couple more weeks and see if a miracle has occurred since.

Forgotten Land - UGH!

I did a check on the Forgotten Land this week. It was a nice cool sunny morning and I traveled by bicycle. It's something I had been planning to start doing with more local nest box areas this summer, better for me, better for the environment. The trip there and back is just shy of 5 kms. In a way it took less time because I didn't have to worry about where to park and then walk from there to the boxes. Coasting down the paved path was wonderful. I haven't ridden my bike in some time, I missed this.

But enough about that, let's get on with my reports. You know this isn't going to be a good one by that title, right?

It started off great. The first nest box has 6 not so young birds inside. Before I know it, they will be out of that box.

Next stop was the box that had fallen "victim" to some vandalism. Imagine my upset when I have it in my sights and the access door is opened. WTF?

4 eggs are missing and 2 remain. I was greeted by some very upset Tree Swallow parents. I thought predation as I discovered that the access wall could be opened with some force, even with the screw inside. Remember these are old salvaged boxes. But if an animal was somehow able to climb that greased up t-post, then be able to figure out that the access door could be pushed open with force from the bottom lip, why would it stop at only 4 eggs? Why was the actual nest not destroyed and even pulled out to the ground? I really have no definitive answer but suspect children from the school. This box is along the edge of their soccer field. Kids have written on it this spring. They may have returned to monkey around even further, I took out that access screw and put it through the front wall this time. There will be no more pulling that door open. I hope the best for the last two eggs.

Now if things could not get any worse...

I arrive to the last nest box only to stress that I don't see it on the t-post. A quick search and I find it on it's side in the grass. NOOOOOOOOOOOOOO! I open the box to find 6 dead baby Swallows inside. What could have happened here?

While looking over this tragedy, an older lady passed by me with her dog. She thanked me for looking after these boxes. She says it's been a joy to watch the birds here, come and go the last couple weeks. Aw man. I shared with her my finds. She was upset but even more angry. She blamed children for this, retelling things she sees in the neighbourhood by some of the kids. She then went into about her youth and how everyone spent time in the army back in her country. We both agreed how different things are now. She thanked me again and left with fire in her eyes. I'd hate to be the next brat she came into contact with.

I pondered some more on what could have happened here. I wondered if I should put the box back up. I decided I would and this time I put the screws in on angles since the heads were very close in size to the holes on the t-post. One screw went in upright, another in downwards. This box won't come off without a screw driver now. I noticed the area was recently landscaped by a large riding mower. The grass was cut right to the post, which was not done like that the last two years. Could the force of the mower knock it off? I then wondered if yes. why that person would not have tried to put the box back up. Then I reminded myself that there are a lot of assholes in this world. Check my most recent Rob and the Animals blog for a really negative encounter with another person.

While I knew this was the last nest in the area, I decided to check one more box just further east. It was hanging by one screw and the grass cut right near the post. No bird nest inside of course. I decided to angle the screws on this one as well. Why not?

So UGH certainly sums up my most recent check of the Forgotten Land. We went from 18 eggs down to 6 hatches, 4 eggs removed with 2 remaining, and 6 deaths. The season is far from over but I doubt we will have a record breaking year.

My final thoughts are about what to do after this season? Definitely some relocating of boxes, away from the public school for one. As for those other 2 boxes in the east ravine. perhaps setting them further back? New boxes are absolutely needed.

Two More Nests!

A couple recent outings had me discover two more Tree Swallow nests now under construction. That makes for a total of 23 as of today. There's still a few empty boxes in each area and it makes me wonder if we will have another surprise or two in the coming days?

One is in Lambton. I watched the female steadily bringing grass into the box while the male sat atop a nearby tree stump. This box had a nest in 2018 with 5 eggs, all hatched, but only 3 fledged (one newborn was found dead as well as one near ready to take it's first flight). I wonder if this is the same pair back again?

When Angie and I went for our usual Sunday morning walk, I spotted activity at another box. The female was also going in and out of this box.

Box these boxes I let be for the time. The birds are busy and I do not want to disturb them.

It's been a really cool damp spring which may explain these delayed nests. Usually they are rather in sync with each other but not this year. I will be seeing young birds in boxes until August this year for sure!

We passed Patty's house on our way out. The male was "posing for the camera" while the female stayed inside.

I'm really hoping to get to Area One for another round and try to get an actual egg count. It needs to warm up. I'd expect adults to be sitting on those eggs with these chilly mornings. We awoke to a cool 6 Celsius on Monday. Today it's raining and 14. The furnace just kicked on here at home.

With this cool weather, it concerns me on nest successes, for the earlier nests anyway. Will the parents be able to find enough insects to feed their young as well as themselves?