the garden visitor

06 Friday Oct 2017

Posted by home, garden, life in Back Yard Birds, Bluebirds, garden, home, life, sustainable lifestyle

Tags

back yard birds, eastern bluebird, garden, home, Virginia

A few weeks ago I looked out to see a newly fledged Eastern bluebird hopping around my terrace. It was alone. Normally when bluebird chicks fledge, they fly to the highest branches of the nearest tree and remain there with other members of their brood for a couple of weeks, while the adults continue to feed them.

This fledgling did not.

As a bluebird monitor, I had immediate concerns. I grabbed my camera and captured these rare shots through my storm door. I hope that you enjoy them.

So tiny in such a huge environment…this female chick contemplates her next move…notice the size of her feet!

This chick raised a ruckus to attract its parents, who wondered why this babe was not high in a tree with its nestmates.

While waiting for the adults to feed it, this chick wanted a nap. After all, these birds go from hatching to flight in merely 18 days. Quite a feat. I love the feet.

After a short flight to the terrace wall from the bench, this wee one nearly fell into the birdbath. What a face. Some mornings I wake with this same expression.

Gathering gumption, a few minutes after this shot, she managed another flight across the turf to the deep shrub border, where it landed on the ground not in a tree. Both adults were at her side during flight, another spectacular sight. I surmise that this miracle fledged too early and was not strong enough to gain altitude. Fingers crossed.

Before vanishing into the wild, this chick preened itself. I do hope she survived. She appeared to have an attitude which I hope serves her well during her lifetime.

Life is precious, and I am reminded of this every day as I witness the creatures and beauty that surround me daily. The difficult part is simply observing, as I can do nothing to change a situation like this. I must permit nature to take its course and be content with not knowing.

How glad I am to have this brief moment with my tiny garden visitor, and now this observation with my trusty camera allows sharing with you, my followers.

Have you witnessed a miracle this summer? Do tell.

empty nest

25 Wednesday Jul 2012

Posted by home, garden, life in Back Yard Birds, birds, Bluebirds, Lifestyle, nature

≈ 4 Comments

Tags

bluebird monitor, Bluebirds, eastern bluebird, empty nest, fledging, fledglings, meal worms, nature, outdoors, Virginia

As I completed last night’s blog rain fell in sheets then abruptly quit, making for a pleasant evening. I decided to go after a few stubborn weeds in the pathways. The mosquitoes quickly drove me inside, where I enjoyed a cool shower. Looking out the kitchen window, as is my habit when monitoring the back yard bluebirds, I noticed a bit of activity. Through my binoculars I saw a nestling sitting in the opening of the Noel guard. It then hopped into the feeding dish, looked around, then after Mama appeared, grabbing a mouthful of meal worms, seemingly unconcerned, she vanished into the nearby thicket—these nestling were fledging tonight!

I continued to observe from the kitchen, deducing that the oldest had already fledged, and the #2 babe was soon to follow. Indeed, within a few moments, #2 took off in the direction of #1, never missing a beat. THEN I held my breath as I waited to see if #3 had survived. Next I saw her, cautiously considering departing the box. Mama came back for more meal worms, ignoring #3. In turn, #3 hopped into the Noel guard, looked back at the entrance to the box, rested and observed, then quickly flew into the thicket. I could not believe how fortunate I was to witness this special event. By my calculations, fledging should have occurred two days from now.

empty nest following fledge~my coir and raffia nest design was a success! No blowfly!

side view of bird box and coir nesting material~cozy yet cool!

The night was calm and mild, and this AM, I see both adults actively feeding fledglings in the thicket. I filled the small feeder inside the Noel guard, hoping that the adults would continue to use the contents for supplemental meals…and YES they are. RELIEF! My chores are lessened and perhaps three additional magnificent bluebirds will grace this county. Mission accomplished!

Now to see if the adults begin a third nest cycle. As brutal as this summer began, I hope that they do not. Being a bird is challenging! Yet oh how they provide me with pleasure, lessons, and hope for the future.

Thanks for following. Your comments are always welcome.

bluebird project

16 Monday Jul 2012

Posted by home, garden, life in Back Yard Birds, birds, Bluebirds, garden, Lifestyle

≈ 5 Comments

Tags

back yard birds, Bluebird Monitor's Guide, bluebird of happiness, Bluebirds, climate, eastern bluebird, english sparrow, human dedication, nature, Virginia

In the US and Canada, bluebirds need help from humans to restore their populations. Continuing habitat destruction, insecticide use, and predation by the English sparrow caused dramatic bluebird decline. Through human dedication, education, and monitoring, bluebirds are enjoying a comeback. Here are a few photos showing my backyard efforts this nesting season.

six day old bluebird chicks

In 1939, Judy Garland sang “somewhere over the rainbow” in the Wizard of Oz and numerous poems and songs were scribed during the nineteenth century, celebrating the timid yet well-loved “bluebird of happiness.”

When the English Sparrow was imported to the US in 1851 for an exhibition, some escaped and rapidly competed with the eastern bluebird for cavity nesting spots. Therefore, nest boxes are now provided on Bluebird Monitoring Trails and in back yard gardens throughout the US. These houses are designed specifically for bluebird requirements, restricting some predation, yet additional assistance must come from humans in order to insure successful fledges.

Despite careful monitoring in May, only two out of six eggs survived. Three nestlings lived to fledge, yet one vanished in the wild. Dramatic spring temperature swings contributed to this diminished cycle. The adult pair returned for a second cycle, producing these three hatchlings—leaving one egg, presumed infertile.

bluebird box with four predator guards

Providing two bird boxes within my half-acre yard, I collect a small pile of pine needles and place them on the ground under the box. The female gratefully uses these to construct her nest. This chore takes me merely ten minutes, where if the female collects needles—a few at a time—this would take her days and dozens of flights.

Since blowfly is another killer of bluebird nestlings, I monitor daily for signs of infestation. Since the chosen box is in full sun, I also place my 8′ patio umbrella over the box during these oppressive summer temperatures. I remove this every evening, as a persistent raccoon attempts to breach the box. The green wire on the front of the box is called a Noel Guard, and was instrumental in saving this brood last week.

deluxe bluebird accommodations during very hot weather

The flat wire is something that I rigged up with bamboo stakes. This rests above the stovepipe guard, designed to discourage cats and snakes. Without the help of three local bluebird experts and naturalist, I would not be the monitor that I am today. Thanks to Ron, Priscilla, and Ann—the effort continues.

I hope that this blog gives readers a small glimpse of what bluebirds must contend with when nesting. If you want to learn more or care to become a bluebird monitor, please read The Bluebird Monitor’s Guide by Cynthia Berger, et al, a Cornell Bird Library Guide. This is essential reading.

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