The Pines Bluebirds

Here at Whispering Pines I manage about 10-12 Bluebird nest boxes which, in a good year, produce 25-30 new born. Not all boxes are used by the Bluebirds. These nest boxes are used by the Chickadee, Tuft Titmouse, House Wren, Tree Swallow and White Breasted Nuthatch. The Bluebirds get about 2 or 3 of the boxes.

Each of the Bluebird pairs nest at least twice, sometimes thrice. They will nest in the same box (cleaned) yet other times they choose a different box. The average brood is four yet often we get five.
Keeping up with these nest boxes is a chore. At the beginning of the season I clean and sterilize the boxes with a 1 part bleach 10 parts water solution. Once the boxes are clean and well rinsed then boxes are left (in the sun) to air dry before the are re-mount. During the season they are cleaned between nestings using the same process. I dispose of the old nest in plastic bags so they do not attract predators. At seasons end I clean them again and then prepare them for winter roosting. Cedar shavings are added for insulation. Most of the Pines small winter residents use the boxes as a winter roost. They are mostly occupied by either downy or hairy woodpeckers and the same species that use them to nest.

Mom and dad with recent fledglings feeding mealworms

Mom on eggs [5] catching a breather

Pines Inhabitants

Along with the many species of birds observed here, there are many "critters" that share the land. Along with a family of raccoons, (eight we have counted at one time) also three different black skunks, opossum, countless cottontail rabbits, turkeys, whitetail deer with their young, red fox and coyote among the usual suspect squirrels and chipmunks. In February someone dumped a kitten here, a very sweet tabby kitten with white footies on her front feet and white knee socks on her back feet. She has become part of the Pines family of furry and feathered friends in spite of efforts to find her a good home.

Coopers Hawk

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The Pines  has a couple of resident Coopers Hawks that frequently strafe the bird feeders for an easy meal. Their success rate is less than you would expect. In fact rarely do they get a free meal at our feeders. When the Cooper is successful it is mostly a Mourning Dove.
Nature has provided an alarm system when Coopers are in the area. It’s the Blue Jay who alerts all the other birds with its alarm call. They incessantly scream their loud alarm sound until the hawk leaves the area. Often times the Blue Jays will gang up on the Coopers and drive it from the immediate area.

Coopers Hawk watching feeders

Butterflies Everywhere

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This year the Pines has more butterflies than all the years before. There are large stands of Wild Bergamot (Monarda fistulosa) which attract large numbers of butterflies especially Eastern Tiger Swallowtail, both yellow and black form.

Eastern Tiger Swallowtail (Yellow)

Eastern Tiger Swallowtail (Black)

Whispering Pines Studio

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Whispering Pines is located in beautiful Hocking Hills, Ohio. My home is located in the middle of a mature second growth forest surrounded by hundreds of hardwood trees and pines. The property is listed as a wildlife sanctuary. Many critters abound and some of my favorites have wings.
You can see my bird photography at http://www.jimmiec.com/
Each year I keep curious eyes on the feeders to log visiting birds. To date I have logged 82 species outside the front and back windows. I suspect there are 10 or more species I have not logged living and breeding in the wooded areas on the Whispering Pines property. I expect to explore these areas next spring.

Whispering Pines from air

Whispering Pines Entrance

Whispering Pines is a registered wildlife sanctuary