Mystery Photo
Look closely at this photo and you will see markings in the mud as well as an abandoned spherical, muddy structure about the size of a pea. Who has been here and what have they been doing? (Enter your answer under “Comments” on today’s post at http://www.naturallycuriouswithmaryholland.wordpress.com.)
Belted Kingfisher Nests
I unintentionally neglected to mention the diameter of the holes in yesterday’s Mystery Photo. They were approximately 5” wide. Bank Swallow nest holes, similar looking and also dug into banks, are anywhere from 1 ½” to 3” in diameter. Being colonial nesters, Bank Swallows also typically have many more nests in a given bank (see photo inset) than Belted Kingfishers, which usually have one but may have several in a single bank, only one of which they occurpy during a given season.
After courtship takes place, a pair of Belted Kingfishers flies to a sand bank in a road cut, landfill or sand/gravel pit that is usually near water, and proceed to excavate their nesting tunnel. The male begins to slash and probe the soil with his bill while the female remains perched nearby, calling the distinctive rattling call of Belted Kingfishers. She eventually lends a hand (bill) and they call to each other throughout the construction of their nest.
The tunnel extends three to six feet into the bank, ending with an unlined chamber. (A bed of undigested fish bones, scales and arthropod exoskeletons from regurgitated pellets eventually forms.) Typically the tunnel slopes upward from the entrance, which may help drain any water that accumulates in the nest. Furrows directly below the bottom of the nest hole are made by the feet of the birds as they enter and leave the nest.
Belted Kingfishers are starting to lay their six to seven eggs which will begin hatching in three to four weeks. (Photo: female Belted Kingfisher)
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Mystery Photo
Who has been here, and what have they been doing (other than depositing their scat)? Individual pellets are ¼” long. Hint: note marks in snow surrounding scat. Submit answers under “Comments” on Naturally Curious blog.
Naturally Curious is supported by donations. If you choose to contribute, you may go to http://www.naturallycuriouswithmaryholland.wordpress.com and click on the yellow “donate” button.
Mystery Photo
What species of tree produces these cones? (Hint: this is a trick question.) If you think you know, please enter your answer on my blog, under “Comments.” Thank you!
Naturally Curious is supported by donations. If you choose to contribute, you may go to http://www.naturallycuriouswithmaryholland.wordpress.com and click on the yellow “donate” button.
Mystery Photo
If you think you might know what this black, crusty substance is, please go to my blog, scroll down to “Comments” and enter your guess as to what it is and how it got there. Answer revealed tomorrow. (Hint: It is not a gall, and it was found on a Speckled Alder branch.)
Naturally Curious is supported by donations. If you choose to contribute, you may go to http://www.naturallycuriouswithmaryholland.wordpress.com and click on the yellow “donate” button.
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