Nest Box Surge and More!

It has been a busy few weeks for SWIFTY, as we had several big projects to complete before nesting activity takes place later this month.  

We installed 7 Tree Swallow nest boxes on property that is being rehabilitated by the Midcoast Watershed Council.  This location is on North Beaver Creek.

On the same property is a small lake where we installed one of the 5 duck boxes I constructed.

Looking back across the lake you can dee the duck box in the center of the picture.

From left to right are Jim, Carrie from Midcoast Watershed Council, and Marty.

On the same day, we drove over to another Midcoast Watershed property at South Beaver Creek and installed another Wood Duck nest box.  Notice the big herd of elk in the background.

We also installed 6 Tree Swallow nest boxes on this property.

Marty and I installed a 3rd Wood Duck nest box the next day at Beaver Creek State Natural Area.  I nearly got swallowed up by the mud!  

You can see the box at center-left.

SWIFTY members also installed many other swallow boxes at South Beach State Park, Siletz Natural Area, Hatfield Marine Center, The City of Waldport, and other locations.  

This morning, SWIFTY installed these nifty Purple Martin nest boxes that Wally made.  The location is on Yaquina Bay in Newport at the Oregon State University Hatfield Marine Center.  A few days ago, a group of 5 orcas swam by here and up the river, supposedly looking for seal pups.

Wally used a unique design pioneered by a group up in Washington.  Those birds on top are decoys. Marty worked with the Hatfield staff to erect the post, which can be swiveled down for box cleaning and removal.  

Last week, Gail and I had a relaxing day driving up the coast.  We had a wonderful lunch at a Thai restaurant in Depoe Bay.  After lunch, we walked a trail along a stream leading from a nearby park.

Depoe Bay is labeled "The World's Smallest Harbor", and was made famous in the film One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest.

We continued north past Lincoln City to an open house at Sitka Art and Ecology Center.  Here, I'm adding my contribution to an interactive traveling art exhibit on how water is important to the participants.  The artist in residence, on the chair, is from the Boston area.
 

Sarah Has A Visitor

On March 27, my sister Sarah, who lives in Anchorage, sent me these pictures of this moose who was chomping on her shrubs.  Sarah nonchalantly sipped her morning coffee, and spoke soothingly to her visitor through her open backdoor.  She figured it was a bull moose due to the 2 scars on his head where he had recently shed his antlers.

Great shots, Sarah!  You are the "Moose Whisperer"!