Day 6: Think inside the box

Cassin's auklet check today. This involves checking some of the 400+ nest boxes like this one (there is a box in there under all that Farallon weed).  Cassin's started breeding extremely early this year, one of the earliest starts on record, but they seem to be struggling lately. Occupancy is good but many of the boxes that should be hatching chicks at this time appear to be abandoned. It's early yet so there is still lots of time for birds to relay but it is a bit worrying.