Lambton & The Forgotten Land Tallys

Man, here we are past mid-July already!  It's been a pleasant summer so far but go figure that now it's time for me to start going through all the nest boxes that the heat is on with the humidity making it feel up around 40 Celcius.  Ugh!

My last blog had zero reads.  I guess since this isn't a regular blog, it's lost interest by some.  And no that wasn't a pity plea for some hits.  Alright, let's get going here...

First up, Lambton.  I had the successful black-capped chickadee nest which I strongly believe produced eight young birds; even if it was seven, that's still a great nest with all fledging.  I had two tree swallow nests on the go but unfortunately one pair of birds abandoned the one nest box after only laying down an inch of grassy material inside.  The second nest had five eggs and all that was left with my last check was one unhatched egg.  So it is safe to say that four birds successfully fledged.  Four birds is better than none but I am a little bit disappointed.

Moving on to the Forgotten Land, things were better with more nests, but not as good as past years here.  I had four nests for the 2022 season with twenty-one eggs.  Throughout my checks, I found a small bird skeleton in two of the boxes and one egg that did not hatch.  So eighteen fledged.  Still that is better than the first year I discovered this area.

Oh look, the birds used part of someone's mask in this nest.  Aside from the whole covid virus, how these masks are littered all over the planet is really freakin' bothersome.

Wild parsnip grows well in the Forgotten Land now; something that wasn't here when I first started monitoring boxes here.  I dressed accordingly with long pants on that were tucked into my socks.  I still avoided the plants but I wasn't taking any chances as we cannot forget about the possibility of ticks and other biting and stinging insects that could be in the field.

Last nest here about to be emptied out for the 2022 season.  I carry a stick with me to scrape these nests out and I pull my shirt over my nose to avoid breathing in any dust (I should have brought a mask as last year I always had one on me).

Overall between the two areas, five tree swallow nests and twenty-two fledged.  I'm not trying to be negative but if you break that down, it is below average.  Tree swallows normally have five or six eggs, (and I have had seven a couple times).  Also I was one less nest at both areas compared to the last couple years.

I guess every year cannot be the same, and while I wish each year to be better than the previous, I know that's just silly.  This season went by ridiculously fast.  *MIND BLOWN*

Okay, I hope to be back early next week with another tally for one or both of the two remaining areas to inspect.

Keep cool, eh.

Lambton - A Hatch

Another check at my Lambton location, and I am happy to report that the chickadees' eggs have all hatched.  My last view of the nest a few weeks ago had me see six eggs.  As I look at this nest shot I took with my mobile, there appears to be more than six hatches.  I see seven for sure but actually think there may be eight.  

Here I have them pointed out.

If you are reading this blog, please take a moment to look closely at the first image and comment on how many you see.  I posted this to Facebook and have gotten six, seven and eight from various people.  Eight is in the lead with those taking the time out to look.

Be it six birds, seven, or eight; the parents have their work cut out for them to feed them all.  I was watching them come and go quite steadily with insects for their young.

This is one of the parents.  They do look a tad worn out.

Here's hoping all goes well and every one of the young birds fledges in a few weeks.

The Creek - Disappointment (People Suck)

Angie and I went for a late afternoon walk on Sunday since it was the May long weekend; normally by Sunday afternoon we are home for the day, enjoying the last of the weekend before the work week.  We decided to go to one of our favourite quiet places which happens to be The Creek area.  It's been a lovely nature oasis for us for a few years now.  We couldn't help but notice others discovering it the last couple years due to covid lockdowns.  Now if  you paid attention to the title of this blog, you probably sense where I am going with that last bit about other people finding this spot.

Earlier in the spring I did a check of the boxes, making sure they were empty and ready for the birds when they returned.  I cannot remember if I blogged about when I checked the boxes in this area and how I found nickels in a couple of the nest boxes.  How odd.  I have asked myself a few times why someone would do this?  The boxes are well off the path so there's some effort to get to them.  I laughed it off although it left me feeling unsettled.  I didn't like that someone was intentionally going up to these boxes.  It was through the winter when they did this but would they return in the spring, during nesting season?  I always hope people have enough courtesy and common sense to leave things be but sure enough, some people disappoint.

Our walk started off nice, seeing a few pairs of tree swallows at a couple of the boxes.

I did not bring a screwdriver with me so I made mental notes of the birds we saw and what boxes appeared to be occupied.  Along the last stretch of the creek I set up four nest boxes, probably four years ago now.  As we walked the trail and looked up to the boxes that are set up on a hill in a field, Angie pointed out that one box was missing.

A few emotions quickly went through me.  Shock.  Anger.  Then sadness.  I did not expect to see a box missing.  I was only here about a month ago checking them and all were on posts and looking almost as good as new thanks to a couple coats of paint and some roof shingles.  Then the anger, I was mad that someone came along with a screwdriver and took one of the boxes.  It is obvious that they saw the boxes at some point and returned with the proper tool to take one.  Then the sadness as I worried that maybe it happened more recently and swallows had already set up nest inside, maybe there were even eggs?  I don't know for certain but it could very well be.  I've been a little worried ever since that they might come along again and take another.  It's not about the cost and time put in by me at these boxes.  It's about messing with the birds especially if they are nesting.

I wanted to get right on taking down the remaining three boxes and moving them (I already know where) but swallows are already in two of them; so I can't disrupt them.  Unfortunately that doesn't mean someone else won't.

I know it's a risk setting up nest boxes in areas that are accessible to all people.  Anything can happen.  Like look at last May when idiots with fireworks destroyed two nest box trails.  One up in Stayner and the other in an Etobicoke lake front park.  I had kids scribble on one of my boxes in the Forgotten Land two years ago.  Someone has put graffiti on one in Lambton this year.  Now with someone stealing one over at the creek; my trust in the general public has taken a hit.

From this point, we now had to turn around and walk all the way back to the car.  I had to push this crappy discovery to the back burner and just get back into enjoying our nature walk.  There was two other nest boxes further down the creek that we debated on going by since it was getting late.  But thanks to a good sized colony of cliff swallows nesting at the bridge near where we parked, it was the incentive needed to have us stay a little longer.  Angie enjoyed watching the cliff swallows while I checked out the last two boxes.

Some of the cliff swallows.  I can't even estimate how many there are under the bridge this year.  LOTS!

I had someone watching me go to the last box.  He was a nice distraction although I don't think he cared much for seeing me out in the field.  I gave him a little apology and kept on going.

I will be returning to The Creek sooner than I had in mind now.  I hope no other box is missing.  I hate that I will be walking through there now with that bad vibe because of one person's actions.  I told Angie that as soon as the birds are done with the boxes and all the young are out, I will be taking them down.  I will probably wait until later in the fall to set them up in a more secluded spot; hoping that being out of sight will keep them out of mind from then on.

I wanted to post a sign that perhaps the thief might see, you know, "thanking" him for disrupting a federally protected migratory bird species.  That could lead to more deviant behaviour by this person or bring unwanted attention to the remaining nests.

All I know is I would love to one day have a piece of property where I can set up boxes and not worry about this kind of shit.  I bought a Lotto Max ticket for tonight's $70,000,000 draw.  Fingers crossed.

Area One - WOW!

Okay, after my last entry, I ventured up to Area One for a look about the grounds.  I hadn't seen a lot of swallows so far and was expecting not much here either, being a bit pessimistic.  Well, the "Bird Gods" made me eat my words about things being slow with all the tree swallow activity here.  Currently there are 16 active tree swallow nests.

Some were in the early stages, having only one or two eggs.  

I found more having four eggs, which should soon have five or six.

And I also found some with five or six eggs.  The swallows sure don't waste time getting nests on the go not long after they have returned, do they?

Almost all of the nest boxes were relocated before the birds returned this spring.  It made things a lot easier for me to walk around and check them all, and in record time.  Twenty three boxes inspected in under an hour.  The mosquitoes were a nuisance but I was happy to not have to step more than a couple feet off any of the trails to access the boxes.

I taped all the posts that have active nests with blue electric tape this year.  I should have removed the old tape from past years since the boxes were all moved but we'll start fresh next year.  The plan this fall is to put a numbering system on the boxes which will make things easier for notes and communication between me and the guys who work at Area One.

I forget the name of this style of nest box but I like that I don't have to open the door to inspect during the season.  My mobile slides in the slot with ease and I just snap a couple pictures.

Here is Wood Duck Alfie's box once again hosting a tree swallow family.

I had a lot of observers throughout my check of the boxes.  The tree swallow tenants were curious and concerned about my "monkeying around" at their homes.  Two birds were watching me here (crappy cell phone photo).

Some were more than concerned, actually getting aggressive and swooping at my head while I ventured much too close to their nest.  You may enjoy this very short video I took, sound on.

Sixteen nests is a record for Area One.  I hope they all do very well.  The odd thing was I did not see or hear a single house wren in the area.  There's still some vacant nest boxes that they are welcome to take but if any do show up to nest, I don't expect them to just play nice and be kind neighbours; that's not a wren's style.

We've come a long way in the last five years since starting the monitoring program here.  It was seven nests that first year.  Look at it now.  I keep hoping for a bluebird family but swallows are cool too.

Slow Start

So far this week I have gone through the Forgotten Land and Lambton, having a peek at the boxes.  These two areas are closest to home so it would be terrible if I didn't get to them by now.

Four pairs of tree swallows are setting up in the Forgotten Land.  Actually two have 6 eggs each and the other two nests are in development.  My most reliable box has swallows in it again.  I'd like to believe it is the same pair.  Do I say this every year?

Don't they just build the prettiest nests?

Over in Lambton, I've got two pairs of swallows working on nests.  This is par with past years (I keep hoping to break this record).  I'm not thrilled that the city did a big clearing in part of the area and exposed one of the boxes that is being used by birds.  Some jackass decided to vandalize it with his/her art work.  How is this even cool?

I will have to hope that whoever got their kicks and won't bother the box again.  Since the birds are already setting up shop, I will leave the box be and move it in the fall.

A plus note is that a pair of black-capped chickadees claimed one of the other boxes and has 6 eggs within as of last week.  Hoping they have a safe and successful nest.

I will revisit both these sites in a couple weeks just to confirm egg counts and make sure all is still well.

Angie and I aim to visit the creek this coming long weekend.  Then for me, Area One, sometime next week.

Is anyone out there reading this?  Just curious.

A New Season

Hey there!  Is anyone out there?  I just logged into this blog...  finally.  It's been a cold spring for the most part and the birds are behind in my opinion.  I am just starting to see tree swallows at my nest box areas.  I noted two pairs at the Forgotten Land and one pair at Lambton this past week.  Angie and I recently saw two pairs at the Creek.  I've yet to make my way up to Area One.

Tree Swallows at the Forgotten Land.

I've got a pair of black-capped chickadees who have been at a box in Lambton for over a week.  I've been to spot check a couple times and there's been a pair excavating the wood shavings and chips I had filled up inside.  I also added a size reducing metal ring over the entry hole so larger birds cannot try to take over; too bad it won't work against the house wrens.  I just hope if wrens come back that they go back to the nest box that they've used past years which is well away from this box.

Here is one of the chickadees taking a piece of wood shaving away on April 18th.

Here is one of them again leaving the box on April 25th.

I'm overdue for another look.  Shame on me as this box is within walking distance of our home.

We had a pair checking out our nest boxes at home.  They were monkeying around one box for two days in a row; but then that was it.  I haven't seen them since.  I opened the box to see what was going on inside and it was empty, no wood chips or shavings.  Damn!  I really thought there was some inside.  I filled it up in case they come back; but so far they have not returned.

Anyway, this is my ice breaker blog.  Hoping to be a little bit more regular with updates over the next couple months.

Thanks for coming back, eh!

A Few More Done... One to Go

I managed to get over to the Creek and clean out the last of the boxes as well as make my way over to the Forgotten Land and get that last box done as well.

I was disappointed to find 5 eggs not hatched at the Creek and well as one decayed teeny tree swallow baby in another box.

One egg in a box, which actually I thought was not being used.  Angie named this box Griffindor House.

Four eggs left in another box, which I believe Angie called Slytherin House.

Then over at the Forgotten Land, I found two unhatched eggs in that box.  Who knows why these things happen?  I'm just happy that everyone else made it out.

So, let's see where we are at now...  23 fledged from 5 nests in the Forgotten Land.  As for the Creek, confirming a 7th nest and up to 37 eggs, minus 6 eggs that did not hatch and 2 dead young, we've got 29 fledged.  Lambton was 10 fledged from the 2 nests.

14 nests and 62 fledged so far.

I have to try and tackle Area One at some point.  It's becoming an increasingly difficult thing to do up there because the meadow is not maintained at all, the growth is overwhelming and hard to walk through, then add in some wild parsnip and the probability of ticks.  I've brought up again about bringing the boxes closer to the walking trails.  I hope this gets done before the 2022 season or I may abandon Area One for my own safety.  I mean, I would be willing to ensure the boxes are good to go come the spring but as for egg counting and so on, I won't worry about any longer.

Lastly, Angie informed me that Blogger apparently cut out the option to have the latest blogs emailed to people.  Why would they do that?  Not that I have many followers but anyone relying upon the email notifications, it is gone now.

I will be back sooner or later with an Area One tally.  I need to finish it for this season, my mind won't let me rest otherwise.