Fixing up a "vacant house," birds take up residence inside a hornet nest.

Translated from the original article at: http://www.ryoutan.co.jp/news/2012/04/21/005068.html

April 21, 2012

Upper photo: The hornet's nest, used by Brown-eared Bulbuls (Photo taken on the 20th)

At the Oni Soba Restaurant of Ooeyama Mountain in Kumohara, Fukuchiyama City (Managed by Aresa Kazuhiro), a nest of the Asian giant hornet was built in the eaves of the main building's second floor. Though the hornets have been gone for a while, the 40 centimeter in diameter nest was left to remain as it was, for good luck. Unexpectedly, it became home to some new residents. Brown-eared Bulbuls have reconstructed the nest into their new home.

The hornet's nest was set up near a beacon light on the store's wall, next door to an electric wiring factory. On the 18th, a factory worker on top of the roof stared motionlessly at the nest, seeing that chicks were inside its hole.

　

The hornet nest is located in the eaves of the second store, the area in front of it (usually) being concealed. It was able to endure rain and wind, without the presence of people. When it comes to business of raising a bird family, it appeared to be a good property,

Lower photo: Chicks at the open entrance, in their new hornet nest home. (Taken on the 18th, provided by Mr. Aseda)

Using an open hole as an entrance into the nest, straw was spread all over the inside. The birds made a good second use of it.

Mr. Aresa commented "Watching the parent birds moving around the nest, it seemed to stir up some worry in me.　That being said, I'm not too concerned. The hornet nest has been there for a long time...however, I never imagined it becoming a bird's nest..."

　

Gazing inside the bird's home, it seems that the chicks have safely left the nest. On the 20th, the bulbul chicks were seen practicing their flying in front of the store. Looking towards a bird, Aresa said with a smile "I wonder if that is one of the children who left..."

Original text:

“空き家”をリフォーム　ハチの巣に鳥が住む

2012年4月21日

福知山市雲原、大江山鬼そば屋（荒砂和浩さん経営）の母屋２階軒下に、直径４０センチほどの大きなスズメバチの巣がある。ハチがいなくなって久しく、縁起ものとしてそのまま置いていたが、ひょんなことで新しい住人がいることが分かった。ヒヨドリがハチの巣をリフォームして新居を構えていた。

ハチの巣近くの壁に店のパトライトを設置する電気配線工事の最中に分かった。１８日に屋根に上った工事業者が目を凝らすと、ハチの巣の中でヒナたちが口を開けていたという。

ハチの巣がある場所は、２階の開かずの間の前にある軒下。人の気配がなく、雨風もしのげるとあって、子育てする親鳥にとって「良い物件」だったようだ。

　

入り口用に穴を開けて、中にはワラを敷き詰めてうまく再利用している。

一家に見守られ、ヒナたちは無事巣立ったよう。２０日に店の前で飛ぶ練習をしているヒヨドリを見て「あの鳥は巣立った子かな」と荒砂さんは笑みを向けた。

写真上＝ヒヨドリが巣に使ったスズメバチの巣（２０日撮影）

写真下＝ハチの巣の新居で口を開けるヒナ（１８日撮影、荒砂さん提供）