[NatureNS] chipmunk and nest question

Date: Mon, 23 Mar 2009 14:30:16 -0300
From: "Margaret E.Millard" <mmillard@eastlink.ca>
To: naturens <naturens@chebucto.ns.ca>
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Return-Path: <naturens-mml-owner@chebucto.ns.ca>
Original-Recipient: rfc822;"| (cd /csuite/info/Environment/FNSN/MList; /csuite/lib/arch2html)"

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Hello, as I was assembling the birdhouse after cleaning and bleaching 
yesterday, my chipmunk ran over my foot! It is quietly moving about the barn 
but so far hasn't made it to the feeder at the house. We know it is familiar 
with us because it came close as soon as Steve opened the galvanised trash 
can where the sunflower seed is stored.
There is a solitary grackle, a whole host of woodpeckers (hairy and Downy) 
and many juncos, chickadees, sparrows various (one different with pale beak 
and very orange legs that won't hold still while I look at it) and mourning 
doves although we lost another (3 in a couple days) to a predator (didn't 
see) this morning. Suddenly the yard wash filled with feathers and down. 
Starlings hit and leave (thankfully)  and the red-winged blackbird is back. 
I think I saw a brown headed cowbird as well just as the sharp shinned hawk 
swept through.
The regular Robins returned in enmass yesterday, checked out their previous 
nesting sights, lots of squawking  and chattering, settled down to feed 
until just about dark, then they all left this morning. They will move off 
for a bit then settle back and produce.
We have a pair of red bellied nuthatches. Don't know what happened to the 
white bellied one. I checked with the man up the street from me and he 
hasn't seen it at his feeder either.
Peepers are being heard in town at the Fort Point bog  but I haven't heard 
one here yet.

Question: When I cleaned one of the houses, there was a nest or an attempt 
at one that I haven't seen before. I wonder if I may have interrupted 
someone's construction. There was a lot of chipping away to make a 
depression in the floor and a pile of the short (about 3") pieces from the 
grapevine. One wall was all chipped away at as well.  It wasn't muddied or 
woven just heaped with the chips scattered through. Oh and a nut as in a nut 
and bolt....1/4" actually. Any suggestions?
The second was a tree swallow nest and the third was completely filled with 
long grass and then lined with oregano bits and fine feathers and some 
strings....squirrel probably.
Marg in White Point, Queens
http://margmillard.ca 


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