The Moving Stick

In a prior post I spoke of a prey hunting behavior performed by eastern coachwhips in which they rise up in a cobra-like stance. I was actually fortunate enough to observe and photograph this feat. Mind you had I not looked in one particular direction I would've certainly missed out entirely. In fact when my eye first picked up on it I thought I was looking at a stick, but then it began to move. I glassed the area with my binoculars and found instead that it was a coachwhip. As if it knew I was watching, it slowly and eerily turned its head and looked me dead in the eye. For anyone who is creeped out by snakes, this would've made their skin crawl. After taking a few pics I decided to approach it fully knowing that it would bolt and the second I began to move in its direction it dropped to the ground. I ran to the spot and found- nothing. It was as if it had disappeared. I walked a wide berth around the area where it had been spotted and never came across it. I then returned to my truck and waited patiently. Ten minutes later I began to see its head rise from the knee high hay in the same spot where it had been originally seen. What the hell??? This time I ran towards it and again it dropped to the ground, but I was able to see where it had gone- into a small hole. Pine voles inhabit this area and carve tunnels beneath the surface all over our property. These voles make for a hearty meal and it had probably been entering one of these tunnels in search of one. These tunnels also have more than one exit so it could escape just about anywhere. Again I waited to see if it would reappear, but unfortunately it was wise enough not to leaving me a bit disappointed.....

(Click on photo for a closer look)

Chimney Swifts

The Driftwood Wildlife Association "promotes the conservation of Chimney Swifts through public education, preservation of existing habitat and creation of new nesting and roosting sites". They are once again plotting chimney swifts' movements northward over the next few months and are asking folks to let them know when you spot the first one in your area. To post your sighting go here. Also on their site is a chimney swift web cam, an online newsletter (Chaetura), plans for building your own chimney swift tower, and much more. Check them out....it is a worthwhile organization.

Let the Nesting Begin

I found 5 powder-blue colored bluebird eggs in my box today! Not sure when the clutch began so it will be hard for me to determine the hatch date. Bluebird eggs are laid one per day until the clutch is complete- a total of 4-7 eggs. This is followed by 12-14 days of incubation. Egg laying at times can be delayed if inclement weather persists, if food is scarce or if the parents are young. Since incubation doesn't begin until all eggs are laid I'm thinking I have a completed clutch because when I opened the box the female was sitting atop the eggs. I also checked the box I placed on my neighbors property and found one egg in it. This means it was laid today, which will help in determining the hatch date here. I'm very fortunate to have nesting bluebirds in both boxes so soon. Also it looks like the soap did the trick because I found no more wasp nests.