ML621134475

Age

Not specified

Sex

Not specified

Observation details

For the 6th consecutive year, this pair of Western Flycatchers (or presumably at least one of them) has returned to nest atop the dryer vent in our carport! And once again, I have taped the nest to the vent to prevent it from slipping off when the dryer is in use (air drying only:). This year’s timing to date: June 1 — both adults arrived in morning and immediately began nest building on top of vent. Nest structure a mixture of twigs and spider webs. Most years they spend several days inspecting the vent before building. Maybe nest site fidelity (and confidence) is patterned through repetition? All nest building only happens the first few hours of daylight of each day. June 6 — nest building done. June 7-12 — egg laying (best I could determine, an egg every other day). Pretty sure there were 4 eggs, but could be a 5th on last day when incubation started. June 12 — incubation began. Was gone when hatching occurred but estimate June 20-21 based on size of chicks on June 22. July 4 — chicks in photo here are 14-15 days old. These birds are a fixture around here, each spring I look forward with hope to their re-arrival, and watch them every day. I can’t imagine how many miles they have travelled. They are experts at what they do and have become somewhat accepting, but still weary of our presence. One day I left the carport door to the house open and came in to find one of the adults perched on our dining room chair! Undoubtedly the coolest part of every summer at this house! Fledging predicted in less than a week :)

Technical information

Model

iPhone 14 Pro Max

Lens

iPhone 14 Pro Max back triple camera 6.86mm f/1.78

ISO

400

Focal length

6.9 mm

Flash

Flash did not fire

f-stop

f/1.8

Shutter speed

1/60 sec

Dimensions

4032 pixels x 3024 pixels

Original file size

3.49 MB