HOUSE CONSTRUCTION RESUMES

 

Tree swallows returning to this area will be happy to learn that the provincial directive to shut down most construction sites during the Covid-19 pandemic does not apply to them. ( It is probably a good thing that we are not dealing with avian flu! ) They should be showing up in Clarington in large numbers any day now anxious to start building their new homes.

 

By way of preparation, members of the Samuel Wilmot Nature Area (SWNA) Advisory Committee have completed the annual exercise of cleaning out and repairing as necessary the birdboxes located throughout the Nature Area. Once again, we have seen a very high occupancy rate.

 

On the Cobbledick Road ( west ) side of the SWNA, 25 of 27 boxes had been occupied  last season. One box had become dislodged from its pole, and fallen to the ground before anyone could take up residence. Of the remainder, only one was empty of nesting materials. On the Toronto Street side, 47 of 50 boxes had been used. Again, 5 boxes were on the ground, but even 2 of them had been occupied , indicating that they had fallen after nesting had been completed.

 

The final numbers?  72 of 77 boxes  for an occupancy rate of 93.5 %.

 

Better than your average hotel!!

 

Article by Brian Reid