empty nest

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.

Copyright © 2012 by Diane LaSauce All Rights Reserved

oh to fledge

Tags

back yard birds, Bluebirds, fledging, meal worms, nature, photography, tree swallows, Virginia

I must preface this blog with the fact that birds are extremely difficult to photograph—especially bluebirds (BB), who are the most timid of my back-yard birds. Therefore I apologize in advance for the slightly blurry images submitted here. All exposures were taken at maximum zoom through a window with solar film.

Yesterday morning I set up my tripod to capture a long awaited event—the fledging of three BB nestlings resting in my back yard bird box. Eighteen days had elapsed since I spotted the four perfect blue eggs and both parents have been very busy since they hatched. I am unable to supplement the bluebird diet with meal worms, as the resident mockingbird gobbles them up before the timid blues fly in.

Three years ago I met two bluebird experts who happen to live in my locale. I hang onto their every word, as I learn how to monitor bluebirds and assist with the success of the population.

Last year I had no nesting bluebirds. Tree swallows inhabited one bird box, and greatly entertained me with their beauty and impressive flight pattern. The year before, four BB nestlings died from a blowfly infestation, yet the remaining nine-day-old nestling survived following my emergency transport to the Waynesboro Wildlife Center across the mountain. Therefore with some trepidation, I spruced up my two nest boxes for the 2012 season.

Mary Mockingbird was mellow this spring and left the BB pair alone as they considered the remaining box. The other box was claimed early by a chickadee pair who raised two chicks out of six eggs.

I paced the house, eager to see one of Nature’s miracles unfold.

The adult BB pair took turns feeding and observing as the three nestlings took turns poking their heads out of the opening. Alas, at eleven AM, I had to go on an errand, only to return to find the box empty—fledge successful.

The yard is not so interesting today, as it is quiet, except for Ethel, the flightless young Grackle, and of course, Mary Mockingbird, the bird who refuses to find another yard to inhabit.

Both bird boxes now stand empty, perhaps beckoning another brood. I look forward to being witness to this ongoing life process. As a monitor to both blue birds and butterflies, my life is enriched as never before.

So I ask you: when you are driving your automobile, slow down for the birds and flutterbies who cross your path, as their effort to thrive/survive in the wild is enormous, yet our benefit even greater.

And remember to slide your mouse over these images for captions.

Be well.

Copyright © 2012 by Diane LaSauce All Rights Reserved