Competition

Only days after putting up the birdhouse sparrows were checking it out.

In no time they were inside and outside and all over. I even saw some nesting material.

However, on Wednesday morning the swallows arrived. Five or six swooped low over our house and deck right in front of our window. They checked out the birdhouse, and pretty soon there were a couple settling in. Then a sparrow came back, and there was a fight. The swallows attacked the sparrow and even hit it to the ground! The sparrow made a hasty escape, and the swallows stood guard for awhile. By afternoon they left and the sparrows returned.

Yesterday we had a drizzling rain, and then a heavy snowfall. The swallows didn't return, but the sparrow stood on the peak of the birdhouse through the rain. This morning he was there on top of the snow. I hate to say it, but I think he's earned his birdhouse rights!

The draining equipment is gone from our marsh. Maybe they've figured it out that you can't pump water out uphill!