In previous years the spot up at the apex of the cabin under the peak of the roof and just to the left of the door (handy for us when they poop) has been occupied by Barn Swallows. Some years three or more pairs have had nests somewhere on the cabin in a single year. At least once a brood was raised among the joists under the cabin. Eastern Phoebes have been around since we started the cabin. They are incredibly inquisitive and always watching whatever is going on but their nest was normally under the peak at the back of the cabin. This year one pair has occupied the nest site in front. There are no Barn Swallows at the cabin this year and few at the farm. This may be part of a widespread decline in their population. The Phoebe likes to whack its catch, often dragonflies against joists that jut out from the cabin. I did not realize how much time they spend by the water, but ours often fly from the cabin to branches sticking out of the water by the edge of the slough. ( The Birder' Companion notes: diet occ small fish and frogs.) One evening in a steady rain I caught a tent caterpiller moth in the cabin. I opened the door and tossed it out watching it fly, beating its wings frantically, thru the rain when a Phoebe came down from the nest in a beautiful curving fall and scooped it up.
"Now the seasons are closing their files
on each of us, the heavy drawers
full of certificates rolling back
into the tree trunks, a few old papers
flocking away."
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