Waxwings

It is always a good day when Cedar Waxwings show up in the yard.  Today a group of 6 came in silently and set about plucking the still-green berries from our shadbush tree.  I was hoping for a repeat of one of my all-time favorite shots with a pair passing the berry back and forth but the pair that was trying to accommodate me were doing so almost fully obscured by leaves and branches which made for a crappy picture.  Nevertheless, I enjoyed the brief visit and will be on the lookout during the next week or so for more.  There is just something very special about waxwings.  

This morning I headed to the hospital to get my mammogram and ultrasound.  Happily, they got me the results by early afternoon and there is not sign of cancer, so hallelujah!  

I was doing a check of the nest boxes yesterday and was shocked to find the third wren nest completely empty but with no signs of disturbance.  This was the nest that I only recently discovered, with five perfect tiny speckled eggs.  My theory is that this nest was the result of a rival male in the territory.  House Wrens will viciously defend nesting territory and will remove eggs from nests that aren't "theirs".  I've definitely heard two wrens singing lately which would indicate a rival male.  Anyway, what I think is that the "resident" male removed the eggs from the nest as a way of discouraging the rival.  The nest pole has a predator baffle and isn't accessibly to any of the predators that would normally grab eggs.  All very strange.  The other two wren nests, one with 7 eggs and one with 6, are fine and being brooded.  

The bluebirds are quietly going about the business of tending their 4 eggs.  This is the quietest pair of bluebirds I've ever had in the yard.  I see both of them occasionally but the male isn't singing at all which is unusual.  On the plus side, I can check their box without being attacked which wasn't the case with the pair who nested here last summer.  Both of last year's birds would reign terror on me every time I checked the box, fluttering over my head, chattering, and sometimes actually making contact with my head.  The trials of being a nest box landlord.

Looking forward to seeing bestie Peg tomorrow afternoon.  She is headed into NYC but stopping here for a visit and overnight before