[EBB Sightings] Lazuli bunting nesting

Dominik, it's likely that you're right. Rusty Scalf also sent 
information indicating that Lazuli buntings make cup-type nests in 
thickets of shrubs, from grasses, leaves, etc. No exceptions noted.
Now we're thinking that the male Lazuli perched nearby, watching and 
"waiting", prompted us to mis-identify what was in fact a female Western 
bluebird bringing food to her nest. Must go back and confirm this. Good 
lesson in the ways that expectations influence observations.

Nick Despota, Nel Benningshof

Dominik Mosur wrote:
> you actually saw a family of Western Bluebirds. Lazuli buntings may 
> nest in small numbers in that area, however they construct cup-type 
> nests in dense thickets much like their relatives the sparrows and 
> never use cavities as the Bluebirds do.
>  
> Good birding,
> Dominik Mosur
> San Francisco
> --- On *Sun, 5/24/09, Nel //* wrote:
>     From: Nel 
>     Subject: [EBB Sightings] Lazuli bunting nesting
>     To: "Judith Dunham" 
>     Cc: "EBB" 
>     Date: Sunday, May 24, 2009, 8:56 PM
>     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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