Who or what is a WEVI? Indeed I bet you are probably asking. In fact, it is one of my new at-home projects. If you recall, Edgar was featured in multiple posts last year. However the Black Vulture parents did not come back this spring. Thus the camera is free for a new subject. So the trees, brush, and shrubby stuff are encroaching on our prairie. Therefore, we are cutting and mowing. In that pursuit, Jim has started mowing down the wild plums. And this where the story starts.
He mowed along the fence. Then as he was avoiding some larger saplings, he saw the nest. Both sides of wild plums thicket had been mowed down. Whoa, were they lucky! I had been gone all day in the field. I had to go see it that night before the sun had set!
The nest was strung up between two small branches. The Painted Bunting’s nest is shallower. And they are not back yet. That left the WEVI as a possibility. Now before I go any further, what or who is a WEVI. So WEVI is the banding code for White-eyed Vireo. And just like the Black Vulture parents, the WEVIs also are involved with parenting from beginning to the end. Additionally, the male and female look alike.
The next day I went back for some better photos. I approached the WEVI. And all I could see was the tail. Can you spot its tail?
It peeked up.
Now its tail and white eye was clearly seen!
It turned to face me. That was enough disturbance for one day. FYI, I stayed at least eight feet from the nest for these photos.
Since the Black Vultures were not coming back to the well house, we moved our new wildlife camera for the new project. This is the setup. Also you can see how much had been mowed.
Our first useable video! Whichever WEVI (who’s to know which) was on the nest flew off when I moved the camera close. One came back and quickly left. Then one returned to settle in.
Exciting. They sure know how to anchor a nest. Amazing. Love the video
Very😊
Exciting discovery – will be fun to watch all the action
🤞🏼 for the action!
What a great vireo video!
Thanks😊
YAY! We get to watch more babies grow up!
WOW!!