The Great Nest Box Cleanout (Part 2)

Birds aren't the only creatures that use the nest boxes.

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We usually find at least one jumping spider under the nest material; a Bold Jumping Spider (Phidippus audux). Last year, one with an orange spot and, this year, one with a white spot. They are quick on their feet and looking for a place to hide; it’s a challenge to get a good shot.

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Occasionally we find boxes that appear, on first inspection, to be empt. It's not unusual to find that paper wasps have built nests in these boxes. Usually only the paper nest remains but, occasionally we are startled to find wasps – in this case a Northern Paper Wasp (Polistes fuscatus) - still in residence. Fortunately it was cool and the wasp wasn’t moving very fast.
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Identification resources:
BugGuide:
- Bold Jumper Spider (Phidippus audax)
- Northern Paper Wasp (Polistes fuscatus)

Related posts:
- Great Nest Box Clean Out (Part 1)
- Great Nest Box Clean Out (Part 3)