[NatureNS] Insect/?nest ID needed!

Date: Wed, 21 Aug 2013 07:56:15 -0300
From: Eleanor Lindsay <kelindsay@eastlink.ca>
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I have just noticed two odd new-to-me structures high up on a covered 
ledge outside my house which I have never seen before; approx 4-5cms in 
length and 3.5cms high - sort of a  rectangle with rounded corners; they 
are brownish in colour (?? dried leaves) and as I was trying to get a 
better look (they are in an awkward position) an insect flew up to one 
and landed beside it - at which point I rushed for a stepladder and my 
camera! The insect was black, flying length very approximately 2cms and 
it made a faint whirring/buzzing type sound, returning repeatedly to the 
nest as I tried to get a picture, also making  halfhearted ?rushes at 
me. It looks so like a picture that someone posted on NatureNS recently 
(?Nancy Dowd), which unfortunately I now no longer have - slender, 
segmented body, mostly black with short tan sections on the limbs and 
flying with its legs dangling down. I would like to understand what it 
is and what it is doing not only for personal interest, but also because 
painters are coming to paint the house starting tomorrow and, while I am 
prepared to leave the creature unmolested, I also would like to be sure 
it poses no risk of harm to the painters painting around it - or my 
house for that matter!!! I have managed to get a few pictures, very 
mediocre because of the awkward placement, but possibly helpful for ID 
purposes which I can forward to anyone interested....

Eleanor Lindsay,
Seabright, St Margarets Bay

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