ML592508941
Contributor
Date
Location
- Age
- Not specified
- Sex
- Not specified
Observation details
We revisited the spot along the Genesee Mountain Trail where we observed a MOCH apparently carrying food into a cavity in the ground on 7/8. The nest was confirmed in a subterranean setting within a rotted stump of a small pine that was cut some years ago. Both members of the pair were actively bringing food to the nest at intervals of 2 to several minutes. The adult approached from a nearby pine trunk or nearby Douglas-fir foliage. From those points it flew directly down to the cavity in the ground and disappeared. It soon emerged at the usual short interval for feeding nestlings, and without food, but the young could not be heard. Upon exiting the adult would pause for a moment on the stump at ground level and then fly up and off. The rotted stump (pictured) is about 10 inches in diameter and projects only 3-4 inches above the forest floor. The stump has a crack across the middle with a rotted interior and a dark crevice-like cavity. Upon close examination on 7/8 I could not see anything and it was too dim to tell the nature of the cavity. Details to be determined. The setting is mature forest of Ponderosa pine and Douglas-fir with an understory of grass and forbs and very few shrubs in the nearby area. The nest site is at elevation 8030', with no overhead cover.. There are many tree cavities in the surrounding forest typical of MOCH nest sites. There are also abundant similar short pine and Douglas-fir stumps left by fire management actions.
Technical information
- Camera
- Microphone
- Accessories
- Original file size
- 50.05 MB