April
29, 2004 - finishing touches
As mentioned
earlier, this year we are following
the nesting of the Cliff Swallows. This one has a dab of mud
in its bill, ready to add it to the entryway of its nest, as
its mate looks on [note the way it is using its tail, like a
woodpecker does, to stabilize itself against the nest]. The
nest walls are built of individual "bricks" made from
a mixture of soil and saliva. The nest at lower left is not
nearly so far along.
Here's another builder adding a fresh brick. Note the band of
wet mud dollops, representing this morning's progress.
Another nest, another band of wet bricks, another proud homeowner.
With swallow-sized
entryways built out, this set of nests is almost complete.
The birds
that have completed their nest gourds are in the process of
laying down a soft carpet of dry grass, which they have been
gathering from a roadway in a nearby meadow.
Here's
one making some last-minute adjustments. (Note that this entryway
is fully dry.)
