Field notes, v667
Page 620
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Transcription
Mtn. Bluebird continued: 7-26 At 3:30 p.m. M and F feeding. Watched F bring 1"-long green Geometridae caterpillar, fly from nest to perch just 3 feet from nest hole, and fly to ground to pick up grasshopper 1½" long and took to nest. All within one minute. The adults would perch in the shade of the aspen trunks when not feeding. They always seem to kill food on ground or limb before going to nest with it. Both M and F can hover over possible food, about 2-3' above ground. Also observed adults occasionally carrying out fecal sacs. Call of young quite weak these two days, when fed. 7-27 The Oregon Junco chases chipping sparrows, and the Mtn. Bluebird chases juncos. Right after a thunderstorm this afternoon, the F fed young 2 grasshoppers. So did male. Also, F brought a Sand Cricket (Stenopelmatu and green caterpillar and 2 more grasshoppers and many other trips were made that were not studied. Feeding active in morning, quite through mid-hours, and picks up again in late afternoon unless disrupted by rain and our activities. 7-28 Adults still carrying out fecal sacs. Nest deep, for I couldn't reach adult on nest with my fingers. Adults fed young inbetween heavy thunderstorms this p.m. About 6 p.m. I watched the 3 adults bring 1 sand cricket, 2 grubs or larvae, and 5 grasshoppers (one still kicking) to you. The male I had banded was very nervous while I was near nest, but would go directly to nest hole. Other male would go to it, but not in to feed the young. F was bold and scolded me and came close and fed even when I there. the 2 males were lined up on adjacent perch waiting to get to nest they being not 3 feet from my head. Quite a view of them. The F was observed to make 5 attempts to secure food, the last one being successful. Their hunting success varied from 1 in1, to this 1 in 5 tries, at 6:30 p. 7-29 At 9 a.m. the adults were waiting in line to feed the young. The adults range at least 100 yards downhill to west of nest; 300 yards uphill to northeast and north of nest; 75 yards east and SE of nest, uphill; and 75 yards south of nest, across aspen glen. All boundaries seem to be determined by coniferous forest-open or aspen border. The adults did use some of the firs for perches while looking for food. Observed that centipedes were added to the list of foods taken to young. Townsend Solitaire - a few in vicinity. Ruby-crowned Kinglets - watched one bathe, after which red crest was very much erect practically covering entire crown. American Water Pipit - a few in meadow area. and atop Black Cone. Calaveras Warbler- in willows and meadow Audubon Warbler - full male watched bathing MacGillivray Warblers - plenty present along East Creek in willow thickets. Brewer Blackbirds - some flocked in lodgepole area near east creek. Western Tanager - adults around camp and elsewhere - one male particularly calm in flying to our fireplace and into kitchen area, perched on table while we were there. Watched it take bath in spring and preen in willow afterward Carried food Uphill into conifers (red fir) east of our camp. Black-headed Grosbeak - uncommon Cassin Purple Finch - few in camp area. M & F Pine Grosbeak - none heard, but 5 seen on July 25 Hermit Warbler - few seen Pine Siskins - mating observed on aspen limb, July 27 Green-backed Goldfinch - 5 or 6 seen in camp area. once, July 28 Oregon Junco - On July 29 we watched a pair chase a pine squirrel across open ground and spirally to top of 80-ft. yellow pine, where chase ceased. Junco your seen occasionally, some could barely fly. Also Juncos chased chipping sparrows, but were chased by Mtn. Bluebirds. Chipping Sparrow - chased by juncos. fed young in snowberry bush green caterpillar and observed once with green caterpillar inbill, following bluebird with food to nest, but it went on with its food later. Lincoln Sparrow - pair in willow thicket in boggy area near camp. Sang only in a.