ML60935071

Age

Not specified

Sex

Not specified

Media notes

Used nest, first found with 5 eggs on 9 May.

Observation details

Relocated the nest first found on 9 May - tried to on 9 Jun and failed. It is surrounded by Bromus inermis with leaves ca 40 cm high now; not immediately adjacent to a bunchgrass such as Leymus cinereus. Near (within ca 20 cm of) a clump of dried manure, and with substantial cover of dead B. inermis leaves in the vicinity. I removed the nest briefly and replaced it; I was surprised how substantial it was in mass and volume. Constructed, seemingly entirely, or grasses much finer (narrower width) than the surrounding B. inermis. Most appeared gray and bleached; it was lined with similar fine grasses that differed in color (substantially more yellow-green). The photo of the nest with eggs on 9 May seems to show a similar-appearing lining. Could it be a nest from a previous season that was retrofitted with a new lining? Or did the WEME simply select more durable, less aged grasses for the lining? While examining the nest, I heard distant "chup" calls from a WEME north of me, near the boundary fence. Mild agitation? Not sure if that correlates with this nest; perhaps fledging was not successful and renesting here is possible? Later, observed agitated behavior from a WEME near the old water treatment pond fence. It flushed ca 7 m in front of me, flew to the fence, and made repeated "chup" calls.

Technical information

Model

COOLPIX P900

ISO

100

Focal length

4.3 mm

Flash

Flash did not fire, auto

f-stop

f/2.8

Shutter speed

1/1600 sec

Dimensions

4219 pixels x 2884 pixels

Original file size

2.79 MB