This Week at Nixon Park - July 6 -13
It was a week for Kingbirds (more about Tyrant Flycatchers).
Kingbirds aggressively defend their territories, even against the largest bird they are likely to run across at the park, the Great Blue Heron. I saw the chase pictured above a couple of times this week.
I've been watching a Kingbird nest in a Black Willow tree for nearly a month. Each day I returned expecting to see hatchlings. Normally the eggs would have hatched in 14-18 days, so when nearly a month had gone by and I hadn't seen any nestlings I wondered if something was amiss.
The nesting Kingbird on June 12, June 19, June 23, June 25, July 3, July 5, July 6, July 8
Sometimes birds will continue to incubate failed eggs, or will "re-nest" by laying another clutch after loosing eggs to predation. I had no way of knowing what may have happened to this nest until Saturday July 12.
Three nestlings finally showed themselves on July 12. By the look of them they are A happy ending to the story. But Wait! There's more!
It's approaching peak Dragonfly season. Halloween Pennants ovipositing (laying eggs), Widow Skimmer, Blue Dasher
Eastern Cicada Killer Wasp, Brown-belted Bumblebee
Brown-headed Cowbird, Great Blue Heron, Green Heron, Kingbird, Song Sparrow.
Red-Eared Slider, Raccoon track, Jewel Weed Flower.
