[EBB Sightings] Lazuli bunting nesting

We took a similar hike on Sunday morning: Rifle Range Road trail down to 
the Wildcat Creek, but then turned southward for 50 yards, then began 
hiking up Havey Canyon trail. About a 15 minute walk up the trail 
(that's 15 minutes in birders' time scale) we saw a pair of Lazuli 
buntings tending a nest of 3 chicks. The nest cavity was carved out from 
the trunk of a snag, about 20 feet above the ground, and maybe 5 inches 
wide at the mouth. The 3 chicks were lined up at the door, looking out, 
and waiting for food. We also noticed that the parents play team tag: 
one acts as a sentinel, perched on a tree near the nest, while the other 
goes off in search of  food. The instant one returns the other leaves.

Judith Dunham wrote:
> Excuse the late post (was giving myself a brief computer holiday). On 
> Friday, May 22, from just after 5 p.m. to around 7, two friends and I 
> did a casual hike/birdwalk starting at the end of Rifle Range Road, 
> off the Arlington. We took Rifle Range Road Trail to Wildcat Creek 
> Trail, crossed the bridge, went slightly north on Wildcat along the 
> creek, and then headed up Mezue Trail. We had just over 30 species, 
> despite the fog and wind. Below are the highlights.
> Judith Dunham
> Berkeley
> California Quail
> Red-shouldered Hawk
> Pacific-slope Flycatcher
> Ash-throated Flycatcher
> Swainson's Thrush (along creek)
> Wilson's Warbler
> Western Tanager (in the eucs along Wildcat Creek Trail)
> Grasshopper Sparrow (both sides of Mezue Trail)
> Black-headed Grosbeak
> Lazuli Bunting (several, singing and very visible especially along Mezue)
> Bullock's Oriole (also in eucs)
>  
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