Wouldn’t you know it? A male Ruby-Throat appeared here near Port Huron 15 minutes ago! It perched on some garden trellises for five minutes just looking around then…flew 30 feet to the house where I put out a nectar feeder just this morning. He sure seemed happy. Also…this morning should be Bluebird egg number 4 (but I have not looked). Also, this past Sunday we saw a female Cowbird stubbornly perched on another Gilbertson-style box near the road where I’d seen Chickadees taking interest. Earlier I had hoped Bluebirds would use that box as well so I left the entrance hole full sized. Anyway, I figured that Cowbirds don’t just go around laying eggs in every crevasse they find. Rather, I think they watch for activity and will select a cavity that looks “inhabited”. The day before, I’d looked into that box (in the afternoon) and saw no eggs, just a few fragments of moss so I wondered why the Cowbird was interested. Well, last evening, everything was quiet and there was no activity there for at least ten minutes so I approached the box and tapped the sides and bottom with no response. When I detached the tube from the pole however (to look in), out shoots Mrs. Chickadee scolding me loudly and she perched nearby as I peered in and saw seven eggs! I quickly remounted the box and retreated and she was back in in a couple minutes. All I can say is her tactics at hiding the eggs from anyone (including me and Cowbirds) are truly awesome. My observation is that “other birds” are watching and birds like Bluebirds and Chickadees will watch their own nest from a distance and try to avoid coming and going so as not to reveal their homes to potential usurpers. Birds are cool. Lastly…something small was scampering on the roof of the house last night so I’m still hoping there are Flying Squirrels around. What new with you all? Spring is springing. Good luck to all.
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