BY LAURA ERICKSON

July 11, 2005: I spent some time outside looking at the building while I was reviewing binoculars. I saw two adults during this time, and heard one of the young birds. The adult male swooped down, as if in a dive, but then banked and came up straight to the nest box while I watched this morning. The female for a time sat on one of the cornices.

At 1:30, I went to the garage roof. I didn't pick out any birds on the hotel, but did see one young female on a smokestack or big chimney--at one point when I wasn't looking, she took off. I didn't see her in flight, but ten minutes later she was back. On a farther chimney, two females sat together--they stayed there the whole time I watched. One sat down for a while.

I'd never noticed before how dangerous downtown really is. I caught sight of a big piece of barbed wire strung out in one area not far from the parking lot roof--I sure hope none of them fly towards that.

This bird sat for a while, but then took off, returning about 10 minutes later.		These two sat on opposite corners like this for the entire time I watched.
After a while, the one on the left hunkered down to rest.
You have to look carefully to notice the birds when they're sitting quietly.	Look carefully and you'll see the barbed wire, too.	It would not be pleasant to fly into this.

(I'm not a professional photographer, and am as likely to use photos for educational as aesthetic purposes. These photos may be used for educational purposes without permission. Please leave the copyright information on them. I'd also appreciate you linking to Birderblog.com or to Binoculars.com)

Laura Erickson's Birderblog, her bird information web pages, and much of her conservation and education work are funded by Binoculars.com.