Over the years I've installed dozens of bird nesting boxes here. Already the first returning tree swallows are inspecting them as potential brood sites and it's my duty as landlady/janitor to make sure these dwellings are clean enough to pass muster.
Some boxes contained remnants of last year's nests and some contained field mice nests. A box in my backyard even had a red squirrel setting up house.
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| Not exactly beautiful, but this box seems pleasing to a tree swallow couple. |
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| Some of the boxes have waterfront views. |
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| A red squirrel's nest. She made the woodchips by chewing into the box's walls. |
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| A pair of mallards paddle downstream as I intrude upon their nesting site. |
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| This song sparrow was one of many declaring territorial ownership this morning. |
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| A male goldfinch is slowly changing into his summer wardrobe. |
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| One of several dozen pine siskins that frequent my feeders these days. |
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| A cottontail rabbit inspecting a hollow under a brush pile. |
