Violet Green Swallow Nest and Eggs

The Violet Green Swallow and three eggs in a new nest built on top of the Chestnut Backed Chickadee nest. Long dried grasses from my freshly cut lawn were taken into the swallow house one piece at a time. The Chestnut Backed Chickadee nest is on the bottom and is composed of moss and smaller grasses.

Chestnut Backed Chickadee

I have seen the evicted Chestnut Backed Chickadee a few times since the Violet Green Swallows took over their nest and young. The chickadee has flown in near his former nesting site, fed at the feeder and quickly flew away. I am not certain what happened to the baby chickadees. This article cites Chestnut Backed Chickadee nests have been raided or predated by squirrels, House Sparrows, House Wrens, and Bewick's Wrens (observed). The nest box itself was built to exclude predators of Violet Green Swallows NOT predators of Chestnut Backed Chickadees. I suppose then that Violet Green Swallows are higher on the food chain than Chickadees. Smaller chickadee nests have the least chance of survival. I heard only 3 or 4 young in the Chickadee nest.

This site seems to have a little information on predators.

"# Chickadee: pretty much everybody kicks them out, including bumblebees, although occasionally they win against bluebirds. Mountain Chickadees may lose out to House Wrens and Violet-green Swallows. Eastern bluebirds have been known to remove chickadee nestlings from a box. (BNA). Other birds will lay their own eggs on top of or alongside chickadee eggs (see photo above.) Note: A 1 1/8" hole restrictor can be placed on a box that has at least one chickadee egg in it to protect their nest from being overtaken by larger competitors. If their nest is taken over, try moving it to a paired box (5-20 feet away) with the entrance hole facing the opposite direction (but away from prevailing winds.) Will not returned to a failed nest site to try again."

There is also a page on Violet Green Swallows.

One day the chickadees were feeding their young and the next day a couple of Violet Green Swallows were flying in nesting material. Did not see the chickadees leaving the nest nor did I see the Violet Green Swallows removing the old chickadee nest.

Oaks and birds

This oak is on county property and is now in bloom. The photo was taken last month.
There are six or seven small sized oaks in this area surrounded by tall grass and mostly conifers.

I have attempted to re-check the area where I thought the Mountain Bluebird(s) were living, near an oak stand, and have not been able to see them lately. These birds may very well be mis-identified.

I had an unusual visit to the feeders last month. I haven't been able to identify. It's back was black with white, breast color was orange with white.

A Chestnut Backed Chickadee has taken up residence and begun a family in my swallow bird house. They are quite actively feeding their young and flying back and forth from the nest. I can hear two or three little babies chirping loudly when they are fed.

At the canal there are many swallows including Violet Green. I love to watch the swallows swarm and flit just above the water. Here I added another unidentified bird to my list. I now have two un-id'd for the year. This bird had an white circular collar around his neck on an orange breast with brown back. This doesn't include the 2 hawks/merlins/nightjars that were seen flying around the canal. The swallows avoided these two birds after they flew above the canal and the whole group of swallows swarmed to the opposite side. The usual tricolored black bird and his mate are living near the canal. They are loud, but pleasant to hear.

I have added two more bird feeders to the yard and have noticed that the brambles are overcoming the bath now. I think that I'll leave the bath covered.

Northern Flicker
American Crow
European Starling
Stellar Jay
Chestnut Backed Chickadee
Downy Woodpecker
?
Spotted Towhee
Common Yellowthroat
White Crowned Sparrow
Violet Green Swallow
Barn Swallow
??Hawk
?Doves
?Pigeon
2 Bald Eagle on American Lake