Bluebird Update

Oh, the cutest thing! This morning I saw Papa bluebird teaching the fledglings to catch their lunch. I took this photo from my front porch of Papa and three of the fledglings perched on my fence. Wish I had a stronger zoom on my camera!

Pay attention, little ones!

I'm so lucky to be able to observe them. They are such precious little birds! I think I have new nests in my two bluebird houses. I'll check them this afternoon after it warms up a little.  We are having a cool spell again! Brrrr!  Wish me luck that there is not a snake in the one by the pond. :)

Bluebirds Have Fledged

Well, the baby bluebirds fledged and I missed it again. My mother and I were sitting on the porch Saturday night watching the parents feed the babies. The babies kept poking their head out and I just knew they were getting ready to fledge. Well, we went inside to have dinner and I guess they fledged then. Drat! Oh well, maybe next time.

I checked the nest this morning to just make sure-and sure enough, they were gone. There was one egg that didn't hatch. It was smaller than the others, so maybe that is why.

The egg that didn't hatch

I cleaned out the nest box and disposed of the old nest. Now I'll need to keep an eye out for the next courtship ritual. Stay tuned!

Baby Bluebirds-Feathers

Today is my last check on the nest box--I don't want to disturb them again before they fledge. The babies all looked well-I tried to get them to raise their heads, but with no luck. I guess I don't sound like Mama or Papa. :)

Snug in their nest

I was relieved to see that the storm the other night didn't hurt them!

Another view

Now I'll wait. I do hope I get to see them fledge, but that is difficult to time. Last year I missed all three groups of fledglings when they flew. Wish me luck!

Bluebird Eggs Have Hatched

I checked the nest box yesterday, and the eggs have hatched. There are five babies. My photo isn't as clear as I would like, but I do not want to disturb them again. Mama and Papa are very busy feeding them. There is constant activity at the nest box. What fun!

Babies all huddled together

Now I need to begin counting days. I shouldn't check the box after 12 days--I don't want the babies to fledge before they are ready. I will check it again in a few days, though and try to get a better photo. Stay tuned!

Bluebird update-better photo

I checked the nest one more time today--there are still five eggs--and I was able to get a better photo-wrong camera setting before. So I guess mama is sitting on the eggs--however, I saw her fly out just before I checked it. I wonder if the mama leaves from time to time. I'll be home tomorrow and will keep a closer watch on it. Now the countdown until they hatch--should take 12-14 days.

Stay tuned!

Bluebirds!

Bluebirds are easily my favorite birds. They seem like such a friendly bunch! Last year I had three broods in my bluebird house. A pair has chosen my first nestbox this year. The second one is still empty. I have signed up to be a "nestwatcher" and will report to Cornell University. This should be a very interesting experience.

I began watching the birds build their nest a couple of weeks ago. It seemed as if the whole family was working--either that or two females with their mates. I waited a while and then opened the nestbox to check and take a photo.

This is a skyscraper!

I managed to get this little movie clip of the mama and papa. He seems to be guarding the nest while she brings in material.

Then two days ago I checked the nest.  I tapped it to make sure mama wasn't inside and then carefully opened the side.  There were three little blue eggs. What fun!

I'll try to hold the camera steadier next time!

I'll check the nest again this afternoon to see if there are more eggs, and then begin counting days to estimate when they will hatch. Stay tuned!