Autumn Is Knocking On The Door

From our walk today there is further evidence of the changing of the seasons.

 

Busy bumble bees, migratory songbirds winging their way south and mast crops in the woods.

 

 

Acorns

 

 

Walnuts

 

 

Bumble bees on Canada Goldenrod

 

 

Blue birds built the first nest.  After their brood fledged some house wrens moved in and did the same.  Nest box is doing double duty this season for the migratory songbirds. 

Tiny Vocalist

Meet Troglodytes aedon - the house wren.  The Latin name derives from: “hole dweller.” 

They're insect-eaters and as a consequence will not visit your seed feeders.  However, if you want to attract these enthusiastic songsters put a nest box or two in your yard. 

These tiny birds are quite vocal and are called house wrens as they are comfortable nesting in close proximity adjacent to our houses. 

They are a wonderful addition to the outdoor sound experience and during mating season will fill your yard with music for weeks at a time.

House Wren

 click on the nest to enlarge

Meet Troglodytes aedon - the House Wren.  Well, not quite yet as this clutch of eggs hasn't hatched yet.

I have about five dozen nest boxes of my own design placed around The Platz and they are home to any number of cavity-nesting song birds including the house wren.

During the mating season this little bird will sing from sunrise to sunset and if you like song birds it is very easily attracted to nest boxes.  In the spring the male will choose a small number of prospective nesting cavities and place a couple of twigs in each.  The female does a follow-up inspection, settling on one nesting site and complete the nest building.  Both the mom and the dad incubate the eggs and feed the young.  They'll raise a couple of broods per year.

Photo - Audubon Society