Ash-throated Flycatchers are busy now

The Ash-throated Flycatchers are busy getting some of the birdboxes ready for their nests.  The clutch size is 2-7 eggs. 

Ash-throated Flycatchers eat arthropods and small fruit.  Sometimes, they eat small reptiles and mammals.  It captures insects off vegetation and on the ground.  It's a “flycatcher” somewhat less often.

These photos were taken on May 2, 2015, on the LATO trail. mk 

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Bushtit nest discovery

This Bushtit nest was first noticed on the LATO trail on Sunday, April 25, 2015, by Ruby Klatt.  I took the photos on Friday, May 1, 2015.   

The male and female Bushtit spend a month or more building their hanging nest.  The nest may hang up to twelve inches below the anchor point.  There is a hole near the top that leads down into the nest.  The nest is made using spider webs and plant material.  Bushtits stretch the nest downward by sitting in it as the nest is being constructed.  Feathers, fur, and downy plant material are used to insulate the nest.  The outside is camouflaged using bits taken from nearby plants and the tree the nest is built in.  

The male and female Bushtit plus helpers sleep in the nest while it is active.  The nest is often used for a second brood each season.  There may be from 4-10 eggs in the nest.  The incubation period is 12-15 days, and the nestling period is 18 days. mk

Quail chicks on the move

Today, April 30, I saw new quail chicks for the first time this season.  Quail are hatched ready to peck and run around following their parents.  So, these 15 may have just hatched today.  There are usually 12-16 eggs in a nest.  It’s not a great picture because they run as soon as they know I am there with my camera, but it is always exciting to see the new young quail.  

What do 15 quail chicks do when another bird passes overhead?  

Run and try to hide under their male guardian. mk

The curious Western grey squirrel

Yesterday, as I stood under a tree watching the birdbox with the oak titmouse family (see previous post), I seemed to be bothering this western grey squirrel.  It made some pretty funny sounds, almost like a little dog growling at me.  I think it wanted me to go away.  It was the perfect opportunity for a great photo. MK

Oak titmouse family has fledged!

On Monday, April 20, 2015, we had a pair of oak titmouse in a birdbox at our house in Atascadero.  I watched them for a couple of hours as they flew in with food for their new young family and out with droppings keeping things clean and tidy inside the box.  On Tuesday, April 22, they were gone.  The young birds have fledged. M. Klatt

Ladybird beetles everywhere!

I took a walk through the Santa Margarita School Demonstration Forest ~ future Monarch Way Station yesterday (April 9,2015) and saw everything coming to life after this week's welcome rain. Every plant seemed to have at least one ladybird beetle. Can you find these in the photos below?

Welcome spring!

Hooded Orioles have arrived for the spring nesting season.  I took this photo out of our kitchen window this afternoon. The photo is a bit fuzzy because of the glass.  I remember one of our students asking about the bright yellow bird that they saw.  I think this is what they were talking about. M. Klatt/April 7,2015