Today was Fledging day for my brood of 5. As has happened almost every year (7yrs), I seem to miss the flights of the new ones. The parents were very active this morning but no heads appeared in the nest box hole until after we returned home from church. I had a few “looks” but they did not leave the nest. My wife and I went to our daughter’s house for a “Mother’s Day Luncheon” and returned about 3 hours later. Patents were still flying around the box and I saw a couple of small birds up in the trees with them. I am assuming that 2 have fledged already. When I stepped out the door toward the nest box around 6:30 PM both adult birds dove between me and the box. So I think that the other 2 or 3 birds will wait until tomorrow to leave the nest. I might get a photo if one of them then.
David, what kind of heat shield is that? I do use shields on the 2nd nesting usually. I use Styrofoam on 2 sides & top, with spacers. Glad some of your blues fledged – hope the rest make it out okay.
Thanks Carol. It is raining this morning and I haven’t seen the young ones yet but the male bird in out on the shepherds hook or on the box waiting.
The heat shield is just a 12 x 12 piece of thin plywood left over from a new floor project. I change the shield as the wood deteriorates. I have used pieces of T-111, and 1/2 inch plywood also. I haven’t used side panels yet but may if we have a warmer summer than we did last year.