Al Larson Photography

House Wrens build a very unusual nest. They are cavity nesters, however I once found a nest such as this built on top of an abandoned robin nest in the fork of a willow tree. Twigs are stuffed into a nestbox until the entrance hole is partially covered. This restricts entry into the box for birds and other critters that are larger than the wren. In some nests twigs may be as large as a lead pencil. A deep nest cup is formed in the rear of the box and is usually lined with a thin layer of fine grass. Up to nine small brown-speckled eggs are laid. A normal clutch may be 5-7 eggs.

House Wrens are beneficial birds and deserve a place to rear a family. However, they have a one very unwelcome tradition. The male will set up a territory and start nests in several cavities. The female will then choose one of them for her nesting activities. This leaves cavities stuffed with twigs that could have been used by another species. What a waste! When I find wren activity in any of my bluebird nestboxes I usually stop monitoring that box. At the end of the nesting season when cleaning old nests out of the boxes I find several wren nests that were never used.

Bluebirds generally arrive on territory earlier than House Wrens and stake out their nest sites. However, there are late arrivals and these bluebirds will have to look elsewhere for nest building. Also, wrens will move into a box after the bluebird nestlings have fledged. This prevents bluebirds having a second brood in that box.

I have a special place in my heart for bluebirds and try to help them as much as I can. But, if another species or animal lays an egg or has nestlings in one of my nestboxes that is its home for the duration.

I made my last trip for the year out to the bluebird trails today and found a very photogenic bluebird. Of course his concern was for the nestlings in the box I was visiting. I already have loads of photos of the Mountain Bluebird but I just couldn’t pass up an opportunity like this for another. I consider myself extremely fortunate to have so many of these beautiful birds in my life.

A Common Nighthawk flushes, flies low a short distance, lands and flutters her wings. She attracted my attention alright. I have often seen this action with Killdeer. This demonstration is to lure potential harm away from a nest or vulnerable offspring. As I approached for a better picture she led me farther away. Alas, this is the only photo I was able to get of her.

I often find a rodent nest in a nestbox I’ve set up for Bluebirds. In most cases these critters scamper away when I open the box for observation. This time I found a mother mouse with four suckling infants firmly attached to her teats. When she made her get-a-way the youngsters were still attached being dragged along like a cluster of grapes. I was reminded of some marsupials where the newly born babies climb into the mother’s pouch for further developement. Possums carry young on their back clinging to the parent with their prehensile tail.

This family was photographed in Owyhee county near Jordan Valley, OR. I am wondering as to the species of this animal?