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Wow. At last, the first nesting has flown. H finally was able to watch the final 2 leave the nestbox for the trees, but I only got the photos of the last one. I am assuming that the number was 5 as they had 5 eggs and I did not find any at the bottom of the nest when I cleaned out the nest box after the little ones fledged. Box is cleaned out and drying. I will put it up tomorrow if it doesn’t rain tonight and get ready for a late nest #2.
Here is one of the birds getting ready to leave the box. I stood up to stretch after sitting for about 15 minutes in the sun and he left before I could get my camera up.
Here are 2 photos of the last one out of the box heading for the trees.
David
Stafford, VANice work, David – I never get to see mine fledge – they are too sneaky – I don’t even see them peek out of the hole. Thanks for the pics.
Nice job. I was wondering about what they do with bad eggs or dead babies. I read they put them out if they can? BB’s in my yard just fledged Wednesday. I only saw last one and I didn’t see anything in my nest either so I’m assuming they all made it out. I saw five eggs for sure but when I checked on them periodically it was always hard to count them with the mirror or cam I used but I swore there were only four. I would’ve seen something on the ground I would think.
Is the styrofoam on the side of the house? I have a styrofoam roof on one of my houses. Last year I had a ton it from a refrigerator package and part of it had this thick piece with 2 perfect 1.5” holes. So I made a house made completely of styrofoam. I put it up in the winter but nothing went in it and decided to get rid of it, it was more wide with a low ceiling. I would like to try it again sometime Styrofoam seems like such a good material.
Thanks Carol and Dave. Congratulations on your fledge. Yes. that is a piece of Styrofoam on the southwest side of the nestbox. It is there for keeping the box a bit cooler during the summer. I did put a cover over the box last spring when our March and April temps were so cold and I had eggs in the box. I think that it helped as 4 of the 5 eggs hatched on April 28 while it was still very cool in the mornings.
David
Stafford, VAGreat pictures, David!! For me, seeing them fledge has been a matter of happenstance—right place (by the window), right time. I’m so impressed you actually got a photo! Congrats!! Here’s hoping for a 2nd late nesting…
Thanks Julie. It IS a matter of right place- right time to get the photos. I probably would have missed it had I not walked past the nest box after putting my lawn mower away. As I started by the box, I noticed a little head of one of the nestlings sticking out of the hole. This usually means that they are ready to fledge. I stopped and backed up to take a longer walk around the back of the box to not spook the bird. I went into the house and got my camera and binoculars and went out on the deck to see if I could get the photo. You see the result. Like I said, I almost gave up as it was hot and I was in the sun for more than 15 minutes before anything happened. I love this sport.
David
Stafford, VALast year as I was going to check the box I saw the last one leave. He actually flew straight down and got stuck in the corner of the fence. I was able to gently maneuver him into the nearby bush for which Mom and Dad seemed quite grateful! Usually I don’t see them leave though.
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