VA Birders,
Early this morning my wife and I made our first check on the newly
established bluebird trail here in Buchanan County. 10 boxes of the trail
are located on the Mountaintop Golf Course here on Compton Mountain just a
couple of minutes away from our house. Two of the boxes contained nesting
material, and pairs of bluebirds were staying close to others.
As we were heading toward box number 8 we could hear several Chipping
Sparrows singing and noticed that one was sitting on top of the nest box. We
stopped and watched him for a couple of minutes, but he didn't seem inclined
to leave. We started very slowly toward the box. He sat there and watched
us.
Finally I was within about 5 feet of the box. He still didn't fly. I inched
closer. Within a minute I was at the box and the Chipper just cocked his
head and watched me. I slowly reached out and very gently opened the side of
the box. This bird was inquisitive. It stretched its neck to peer over the
edge of the box to see what I was doing, its deep chestnut crown glistening
in the morning sun. I very carefully closed the box. The Chipper stayed.
I was beginning to think that perhaps this little fellow had an injury and
couldn't fly, though he looked very healthy. Then as I slowly moved back
away from the box, he decided he had had enough. He flew very easily to a
nearby tree and sat looking down at us. After a few more moments for last
looks my wife and I moved on. It was a very enjoyable addition to a
beautiful, sunny, spring morning.
To add more frosting on the cake a Red-shouldered Hawk came circling up out
of the valley and soared just overhead. After a few climbing circles the
hawk headed east, calling as it went.
Enjoy the spring birds,
Roger Mayhorn
Grundy, VA
mayhorn@xxxxxxxxxxxx
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