THIS WEEK at HILTON POND 22-29 February 2000
  • This week Eastern Bluebirds (Sialia sialis) at Hilton Pond Center have been demonstrating typical early spring behavior as they investigate cavities and nest boxes. There's a box made from an old hollow limb just outside the office window, and a bluebird pair has staked it out (see male at right). They've been taking turns perching on the top of the nestbox and going in and out, perhaps trying to find out if everything fits their notion of a proper place to build a nest and lay eggs. The activity also firms up the pair bond and probably gets the hormones flowing in advance of egg and sperm production. Their first eggs won't be laid for perhaps a month or more--starting too early can lead to failed nesting due to cold weather and lack of insects--but this early pre-nesting activity is still pretty important. (Photo © Hilton Pond Center)
BIRDS BANDED THIS WEEK
American Goldfinch
Chipping Sparrow
Northern Cardinal		 Purple Finch
House Finch
Back to Preceding Week; on to Next Week
Up to Top of Page

Back to This Week at Hilton Pond Center

You can also
post questions for
The Piedmont Naturalist

Search Engine for
Hilton Pond Center

Hilton Pond Center for Piedmont Natural History is a non-profit research & education organization in York, South Carolina USA; phone (803) 684-5852. Directed by Bill Hilton Jr., aka The Piedmont Naturalist, it is the parent organization for Operation RubyThroat. Contents of this website--including articles and photos--may NOT be duplicated, modified, or used in any way except with the express written permission of Hilton Pond Center. All rights reserved worldwide. To obtain permission for use or for further assistance on accessing this Web site, contact the Webmaster.