Artificial Nests

Today was the last day to check the first trial of artificial nests we set up early in June.  We had zero duck eggs survive, which was already apparent from the first round of checks; and 3 out of 120 shorebird nests survived the trial.  So far, the second trial on the Haul road has been more successful.  I think there were a combination of reasons why the first experiment failed so horribly.  However, those at WCS will be responsible for figuring out what to do with that information and data and how to continue the experiment for next year.  I did notice though, on the surviving nests, most lost their brownish tint from sun exposure.  Some were whitish when we first laid out the nests (like the ones picture below) but most were a light or dark brown.

Artificial shorebird nest with coturnix (quail) eggs.
Not too shabby, but the eggs are a little too white.

I mostly write this because I want to exhibit real bird nests!  Sort of in comparison to our artificial nests, at least for shorebirds, and just because I like nests.  I don't always have my camera on me when we stumble upon nests, so I only have a few, but here they are!

Stilt Sandpiper nest.
A good look at what a real shorebird nest will look like.
Stilts also have more greenish eggs than
the Semi Sandpipers or the Pectoral Sandpipers.

Northern Pintail nest.  Very nicely lined with feathers.

Also an example of why the artificial duck nests were doomed to fail.  Most ducks and geese nesting up here have bright eggs that really stick out from the dull browns and yellows of the surrounding tundra.  We generally don't find these nests until a female flushes when we get too close.  So, without a cryptic female covering the nest, our eggs were sitting ducks (pun intended) for any predator to come along and snack on.

Red-throated Loon nest.
Of course the first RTLO I see up here
 happens to be one that I flushed from a nest. 

Close-up of the loon eggs. 

I've been taking a lot of pictures of the plants and flowers that have been emerging in the last week.  I plan to go through them all and figure out what they are (Erica and I will be working on this together) then try to give a little information on each one.