Today's Star has an article on a recent study on the state of birds in Canada Last night we came home to see that our Barn Swallow nest had been destroyed and there was evidence of feathers around the broken nest. We checked on the five babies only a few days ago and they were very close to being ready to fledge. I am heart broken to report that the evidence leads us to conclude the babies did not survive the attack. I am guessing a raccoon somehow managed to get to the nest, but I am not sure how it would have managed to do so. The Barn Swallows have used this spot in the past and it has been safe from predators. The adult pair was still around and giving their warning calls. I can't imagine how awful it was for them to witness the attack and be relatively helpless in defending their young. This is very discouraging. On a positive note, our Tree Swallows and Bluebirds have fledged successfully. Hopefully both sets of parents will give it another go. The House Wrens are still busy going in and out of the box. As for our Bobolinks, the farmers have been cutting their fields very early (so it seems to me). Most of the potential nesting grounds have already been cut. We went out on Sunday and saw/heard many out in the fields. Last night we did a check and at least three of the fields have been cut. I highly doubt there was time for any eggs to hatch. Overall, I'm feeling quite a bit down this morning. It feels like the birds are fighting a losing battle. I have to remind myself of the nesting success stories and be hopeful that the areas that are currently protected will remain so.

Hatchings!

Looks like all the eggs hatched successfully! Five Bluebird chicks Seven House Wrens Five Tree Swallows Five Barn Swallows Yay!

Updates

We participated in the Chimney Swift count last night. Our site was St Paul's church in Milton. We had a good time (despite the pouring rain!) and we are happy to report that both chimneys are used by the swifts for roosting. I'm looking forward to seeing the results for all the Halton sites.

Dave took pictures of our nesting boxes today. Seven eggs in the House Wren box, Unknown for the Tree Swallows because mamma or daddy was not budging! Five each for the Barn Swallows and the Eastern Bluebirds. Fantastic results! House Wren Nest

Barn Swallow Nest

Simon helping with the nesting box check:

Tree Swallow telling us it's none of our business what's going on in there:

Bluebird nesting box:

We are also seeing adult birds come to the feeders and take heaping amounts of food and fly off with it, so we know there are others nesting in the trees etc- Grackles, Blue Jays, Cardinals, Baltimore Oriole (haven't seen the female in a few days, so assume she is busy on the nest), Red-bellied Woodpecker (again, the male is visiting quite a bit- especially the grape jelly feeder!), Rose-breasted Grosbeak (seeing the male only. And as an aside, we have not had the larger numbers of male and female Grosbeaks we normally do. We had a few males for a few days- up to three, I think and maybe two females. After that, it's just been the single pair. Would be curious to know if their numbers are down this year?).

As for Bobolinks, I have seen two males. That's it. Maybe it's still early? But the fields we normally see them in have had some of their fencing removed, so the males don't have the same number of posts to perch on. I'll spend more time out there this week to see what's going on. The Northern Flicker has been very noisy lately, but this was the first sighting I'd had of him in awhile:

Also, we've had a Red Squirrel out here the last week or so. We have never seen one here before. I need to find out if that's a unique sighting. I have no idea if they are really in the area or not.

Cliff Swallows!

If you have not had the opportunity to see a Cliff Swallow, then you must get to Mountsberg (a Conservation Halton park). There is a plethora of Cliff Swallows nesting along the barns. It's amazing how many there are and all so close together! Definitely worth the trip (plus Mountsberg is just a really amazing spot in general. A great family outing!).

In other news, a pair of Bluebirds has returned to the yard (no idea if it's the same pair from a month or so ago) and are using the nesting box. Here's hoping we have some Bluebird babies again this year!

and just as I hit "publish" I had to go back in to add that there's a Blackpoll Warbler in the yard! First sighting this year. Nice way to end a beautiful day!

Volunteers Needed to Help Monitor Chimney Swifts

From Conservation Halton: Volunteers Needed to Help Monitor Chimney Swifts We are looking for community volunteers interested in helping the national effort to monitor Chimney Swifts right here in Halton. This at risk bird is in decline and we are seeking volunteers who can visit by visiting known roost sites on three evenings this spring (May 29, June 2 and June 6). Data will help national recovery efforts as part of the Bird Studies Canada program by monitoring populations and identifying active chimneys. For more information on how you can get involved please e-mail Nigel Finney at nfinney(at)hrca.on.ca. Please respond by May 25 and include which dates you are available and your preferred community to monitor (Burlington, Oakville, Milton).

Grosbeaks and Orioles.

The male Rose-breasted Grosbeak has been visiting the jelly feeder we have out for the Orioles. I've seen him take beak fulls and feed a female RBG. We've never seen this before, but I wonder if it's because we haven't had as much suet out this year? The Orioles are also enjoying the jelly (as are the chipmunks). There are at least two males and one female. One of the males came up to the feeder and had some nesting material in it's beak, which it had to drop in order to scoop up the jelly. Indigo Buntings are in the area (Dave saw quite a few in Glenorchy) but I haven't caught sight of any in the yard yet. There was a Great-crested Flycatcher in the trees for quite awhile yesterday. Just waiting for the Bobolinks to arrive!

I wish everyone who could do this, would do this!