I witnessed an actual predation of a black capped chicadee nest on our cottage property at on stoney Lake at miday today. The nest cavity of the chicadee was 5 feet up in a small snag, tree species undetermined. Presumed hen sitting and being visited and fed regularly by the male . I was drawn to the nest site by a flurry of movement (the site is readily visible from our open porch) & watched as the brooding bird exited the nest to attack a chipmunk assending the stub. It furiously attacked but soon undeterred, the chipmunk entered the cavity and come out with an egg and descended to the ground with a distraught attacking chicadee in pursuit. . a few minutes later and the process was repeated except the chipmunk remained in the cavity for some time presumedly storing the remaining eggs in its cheek pouches or consuming the eggs. the chicadee altho agitated did not attempt to enter the nest cavity.. The female disappeared immediately upon the exit by the chipmunk. . In a few minutes, the assumed male arrived, carrying a caterpillar. It peered into the cavity again and again over some 15 to 20 minutes completely baffled as to what had happened to his mate and nest contents. The female never reappeared and the male eventually disappeared. Not a usual posting but hopefully of sufficient interest as an unusual sighting . _______________________________________________ ONTBIRDS is presented by the Ontario Field Ornithologists - the provincial birding organization. Send bird reports to [email protected] For information about ONTBIRDS visit http://www.ofo.ca/
