bluezzzzz Loc: Stamping Ground, KY

We've had a lot of woodpecker activity in our front yard this spring and I've been closely watching in hopes to get some good nest shots again this year. There is a new nest hole in one white oak in our front yard that looks promising and has had lots of red-headed woodpecker activity around it already this year.


This morning I got in position on the hole side of the tree and waited. Finally a tufted titmouse landed on that tree.
154A1605 by Marshall Smith, on Flickr


I thought it was just on a bug hunt when it went over, perched on the edge and looked in. Never went all the way in but took a good long look.
TitmouseStory_21Mar2023_028 by Marshall Smith, on Flickr


Then its mate showed up and sat there watching.
TitmouseStory_21Mar2023_010 by Marshall Smith, on Flickr



The mate never went to the hole and eventually flew away. The looker stayed a bit longer then also flew off.
TitmouseStory_21Mar2023_023 by Marshall Smith, on Flickr



I went to Google and did some research and found some interesting things I didn't know. Tufted Titmice are cavity nesters, but don't have the ability to excavate their own cavities, relying on natural cavities or unused woodpecker nests. Here is a link to some titmouse (and chickadee) info:

https://avianreport.com/tufted-titmouse-nest-and-eggs/


So, turns out this pair was actively nest hunting. I'll be out there in the coming days to see how this turns out...


Marshall

inishowenjohn Loc: Hindley Green Wigan

The photos tell the story so well. Great work. Thanks for sharing

Manglesphoto Loc: 70 miles south of St.Louis

UTMike Loc: South Jordan, UT

Good work, Marshall!

joecichjr Loc: Chicago S. Suburbs, Illinois, USA

A beautiful sequence, captured perfectly 🍰🍰🍰🍰🍰

Bubalola Loc: Big Apple, NY