Bruce Coates and his friend Dan have been keeping an eye on this Common Bushtit’s nest.
These little balls of feathers with long tails build the most distinctive nests in this region.
The Common Bushtit is a delight to watch when they swoop down on a suet feeder in the winter. A whole flock of 20 or more can arrive, covering the whole feeder, and taking turns getting a spot. Then they leave as quickly as they arrived.
Now they are paired up and raising families. The male and female can be distinguished by eye-colour: males being completely dark and females with a striking yellow ring around a small dark centre.
Gail