Over the years I've had many residents that have raised families. It's fascinating to first watch for nest competition , nest building, egg incubation, young birds and then leaving the nest. I've had Red breasted nuthatches, Tree swallows, Black-capped chickadees, Boreal chickadees and House sparrows. Several nests were abandoned.
Now bout a week ago I noticed a small gray bird quickly enter and leave the box. It was so fast I couldn't identify the bird. I have no idea how long the birds were at the nest before I saw them. After a few days I could see that they were Boreal chickadees. Great! I get a bird family this summer.
Well, not so fast Red. Today house sparrows showed up. Actually quite a few House sparrows were at the nest. Then I noted House sparrows carrying nest material to the box. So the Boreal chickadees had to abandon their new nest.
It's sad to see bird's nests be destroyed . but I realize it is the order of the day in the wild. However, I will harass those dirty rotten House sparrows so that they will wish they'd never met me.
A great photo of a boreal chickadee by Angela Maclean
I almost wish I hadn't started feeding our birds because this is what is happening with the feeders, too! Certain birds are pigging out and leaving nothing for the others. It's even greater hardship for them to lose their nests. As you say, it's the way of nature, but it's hard to see it happen. All the critters have to try to stay alive.
ReplyDeleteIt's the way things happen in nature but the House sparrow is an imported species.
DeleteOh, bad house sparrows! I always root for the little birdies.
ReplyDeleteThey are very small and fragile and need a friend or two.
DeleteThose bullies! It's very nice of you to have something for them to nest in.
ReplyDeleteI enjoy watching them raise a family.
DeleteDo Red-breasted nuthatches wear tiny T-shirts with portraits of you printed on the front?
ReplyDeleteI'm their patron saint!!!
DeleteThe battle of the strongest...
ReplyDeleteA battle of the strongest and the bullies.
DeleteI'm a chickadee fan, so have at it, Red!
ReplyDeleteI will get even with those baddies.
DeleteI actually stopped feeding the birds on my front porch because of the house sparrows, which became a real nuisance. I loved the chickadees and nuthatches and goldfinch. But the house sparrows took over. :-(
ReplyDeleteHouse sparrows are not a big nuisance at my feeders. I have a few squirrels I'd like to send your way.
DeleteNature is sometimes so cruel.
ReplyDeleteYes, and when we step in we don't always help.
DeleteI guess everything competes for resources.
ReplyDeleteYes, sad but true.
Deletethe bird bullies :(
ReplyDeleteYou've go the perfect word for the House sparrow.
DeleteAw, nuts. I was rooting for the chickadees!
ReplyDeleteI have had them nest successfully and they're fun to watch.
DeleteThe survival of the fittest. Sad.
ReplyDeleteBut, my House Sparrows are not natives!
DeleteSome birds can be quite obnoxious at times.
ReplyDeleteI'd just like them to mind their own business.
DeleteWe don't see many of those English Sparrows but the grackles have move in here en mass...
ReplyDeleteGrackles pass through here during migration. they're pretty aggressive.
DeleteFrom what I've read, house sparrows are bullies. Poor little chickadees! They are such sweet birds.
ReplyDeleteAww, too bad for the chickadees. Hopefully they found somewhere suitable!
ReplyDeleteToo bad the Chickadee had to move :( Sparrows are bully birds! :(
ReplyDeleteI used too see lots of best building back in village and loved it .
ReplyDeleteIt were spiritual experiences .now i live in a city but have garden with shurbs where birds often come for nesting in different seasons it is great pleasure to see them make their best and develop families front of my eyes.
I feel sorry that sparrows spoiled the best of your favourite birds but hope to see them around soon .
I've never seen the boreal chickadee. Aren't they pretty! We have lots of the black-capped chickadee, the little acrobats. We surely must have house sparrows, there are so many sparrows around.
ReplyDeleteI have a bird house I put up next to my apartment. The Black-capped Chickadees keep trying, but the House Wren won't stand for it.
ReplyDeleteI tried moving the box to different locations, that wren just has a bad attitude! Luckily our House Sparrows are too fat to fit...
Hi Red, I like that comment where Far Side said the Sparrows are bully birds. Right on!
ReplyDeleteYou are too funny, Red. However, I prefer chickadees to sparrows any day.
ReplyDelete