Mariton: Nest Box Update

by Tim Burris, Preserve Manager

Four Bluebird hatchlings.

There is activity in Mariton’s nest boxes. This week we found four babies in the Bluebird nest that I have been monitoring for several weeks.  It is great to see the freshly hatched babies, but the weather we have been having (cold and wet) is horrible for baby chicks.  The adults have to spend more time hunting for food and less time keeping their chicks warm.  Over the years babies have died from exposure in similar weather.  Let’s hope we get a new weather pattern soon.

Seven Tufted Titmouse eggs.

The Tufted Titmouse nest has seven eggs that should hatch in the next week. The Chickadee nest also has seven eggs. Notice the difference in the two similar nests.  Titmice use dry leaves, whereas the Chickadees use a lot of animal hair.

Seven Chickadee eggs.