Teenage birds
are all around right now. It is funny to see them explore because often, they are seemingly shy or timid but at the same time bold and unafraid. I love them all because I know they will only be here for a short time. Pictured: Redwinged Blackbird, Blue Jay, Oriole and Grackle.
More rain also means
more photos of wet Blue Jays! I hope you are not getting sick of seeing these because I still love them dearly. They are just so nice to study the patterns and structure of the plumage. And I just love the long faces too. I am still lagging a bit behind with processing photos but I am catching up, so there will be more possibly tonight or in the morning.
The hot phase of the summer
is here, the air gets stickier by the hour, and because of all the rain we have been getting, there are a lot of bugs around. I am happy for the birds but I am hesitant to spend a lot of time outside because I get eaten alive by the mosquitoes. The natural spray did not cut it this year, I have to get DEETed, but even that only helps for short periods. So I am happy that the cameras do all the work without me having to be present. Because there are some fun things happening. Like this Grack with a tonsure molt. There is one like that every year, and it always makes me giggle.
Nestbox update - House Wren
After no adult bird came to feed the Wren babies for almost 24 hours, we thought and pondered all day and then took them out the nestbox and brought them to a rehabber (Wild Wings in Hazel Park, they will be happy about donations, it is how they finance their good work). They were nine days old yesterday, not ready to fledge. The day before, the parent had fed them almost every 5 to 10 minutes, then suddenly nothing. The camera takes videos when there is motion or sound. It did not malfunction and I checked the clips as well as the livestream regularly to make sure. I did not want to see the babies die in the box, and I think waiting until the next morning would have sealed their destiny.
No adult bird has returned to the nestbox since. There are strong little birds and I hope they make it. Birds have a rough life, and unfortunately it happens that baby birds lose their parent/s too soon. The good thing is that there are licensed rehabbers who will take them in and care for them until they are ready to fledge.
I hope I get some updates. Be well, Wren babies ❤️
It is hard not to feel
with Dr. Clara, the resident Bluebird lady (even though she is a bird and has no human emotions). The whole family is around, and as you know, Mandrake comes to the nestbox several times a day, bringing stuff in or “forming the nest cup”. Yesterday, she was with him, and finally she also got into the box, checked things and formed the nest cup. And I am wondering if they are getting ready for maybe a last try this season. It is getting a bit late, though.
The baby Blue Jays
are all over the backyard now, exploring baths, feeders and plants. I absolutely adore these creatures with their curious and utterly cute faces and behavior. Some of them have been getting into the large Mulberry tree on the neighbor’s lot that is a huge bird magnet. If you wonder how to tell they are youngsters apart from the behavior - check out the pink edges of their beaks.
Video: Dinner with the Blues!
The Bluebird babies have been in the yard for a couple of days, but the male always fed them by the caged feeder (that has no cam on it). Last night, they finally led them to the open tray, and Mom and Dad joined in the feeding duties. I have seen all five babies at some point but harsh weather, natural predators or individualism might have separated the siblings. Anyways, here is some happiness to make your Saturday better. (No, the babies are not considerably larger, the angle makes it appear so.)
Birds have evolved from dinosaurs,
and in the middle of summer, this begins to show with many of them. They are molting, changing their old feathers for new ones, and reveal some more or less dramatic looks. They are not sick, and they will appreciate high quality food and clean water for bathing that itchy skin. Yes, the hole next to the eyes is the ear. These are Grackles and Orioles.
Now that July is here,
more and more bird babies are coming to explore the backyard. Some are camera shy, others not so much. It always stops me in my tracks when I am out there and see them, I just stand there and watch. They are mood boosters, they instantly make you smile. Here’s a baby MoDo, one of the several Orioles and a Bluebird baby. I hope to see more of all of them, and I hope the Cardinal brood will step into the spotlight too - they have at least two youngsters.
Hatch day for the House Wrens
Yesterday, the House Wren babies have started to hatch. It was interesting to see how the female was taking the egg shells out rather than eating them. But maybe she ate some and threw some out because seven eggs make a lot of egg shell. In the video, you see her tossing out two shells and then you also get a glimpse of the teensy babies. Since they built the whole structure so well, lighting in the box is a bit murky but hopefully things improve a bit once the babies get bigger. I think that so far, all but two eggs have hatched. I am curious to see if the babies will keep them busy enough so that the male loses interest in the BB box. So far, he has not returned with any sticks. The BBs are still around too. They feed their babies from brood 2, and at least the male checks by the box regularly.
Times are busy,
which can be good and bad. Good because thoughts don’t linger, bad because there is not enough time in the day to do what one would like. More bird babies have started to show up, and things are now becoming very entertaining at the bird bath and generally. The youngsters sometimes seem to be even bigger than the parents and still beg them for food. But they also go their own ways. And since they aren’t perfect adult birds yet, they are adorable to watch. The Wren babies also started to hatch today, and I hope to give a little update on that tomorrow. Anyways, here is a young Blue Jay, testing out that beautiful crest.
I know I have not been posting a lot recently, but I am having a hard time because the days are longer and there are more photos and I also have a lot of work with my job. But I am trying to catch up and hope for a little break soon :) Be sound and come good into Thursday.
Nature can be cruel.
This morning, Dr. Clara laid her third egg and despite the extreme heat, things looked great. However, at 9 pm, a House Wren went into the BB box, pierced all three eggs and threw them out. I am not sure what is going to happen now but I am heartbroken, tbh. This has never happened in the five years I’ve been doing this, and it feels like this season is cursed. I will think of solutions, and the nestbox that is currently occupied by the Wren will be removed once the babies have fledged.
If you want to learn more about the impact of House Wrens, I recommend sialis.org.
Another nestbox update
Dr. Clara laid her first egg of brood 3 this morning and Lady Corleone is diligently incubating her clutch of seven. Meanwhile the yard is starting to fill up with bird babies, yesterday I saw a Cardi feeding a youngster, they seem to have two. I hope they go and visit the cameras too! The birdbath is a good point to watch right now too, the baby Orioles and Grosbeaks like it a lot. I am still waiting for the second clutch of the Bluebird babies to come to the yard too but that should also soon happen. Things are picking up again finally!
Video: Not the Nasturtium!
We plant a little flower patch each year around the bird bath, and this year, the nasturtiums are plenty. I was so happy because I love using them in the kitchen, but I guess others like them too 😆 (I know that groundhogs can damage gardens and sheds, but we have one every year and the house and garden are still standing.)
The Hummingbird situation
is truly a bit sad in my yard this year. I never really had many but I did have regulars that came steadily. This year, there are fewer than that, so I am extra happy when I get to see them. This little lady looked so cute in her curiosity. The flowers are just starting to open, and I hope she has babies in a nest somewhere that will later feast on the goodies in my garden. And oh my, how is it July already?! Have a great Friday!
Birdsy 4th of July offer - extended
I hear that the special offer will be extended until tomorrow due to popular demand. Check it out at birdsy.com :)
As many of you know, I have been using the Birdsy camera for my livestream and videos for a while now. I love it because it captures many things I would not be able to capture with my other cameras, and it has given me lots of insights into the secret things happening in my yard. I would not want to be without it anymore, ha! Many people have asked me about it, so I thought I would give you a little heads up - they are having a special sale on the 4th of July on their website birdsy.com. This is only for the US but a good chance to get a camera right now. Sales for other areas will start later. I have a little more info about the camera in my FAQ too.
Video: A nestbuilding timelapse
Dr. Clara the Bluebird has been very busy building her nest, a lot faster than the first two. I always find it fascinating to see them build, and the timelapse shows nicely the different sections. First a base, then some framing, then bedding and then embellishments. Since she started in such a hurry I expect her to start laying eggs soon too.
I have been a little behind here with posts lately but there is not a lot happening, and then there was all this rain. The rain has mucked up the pond quite a bit too, so it needed a bit more cleaning than usual but it will be up and running later today. And more photos :) Happy Thursday!
Video: Those slow summer days
where all the birds are taking care of their babies and there is a thunderstorm every four hours can be a bit boring for the backyard birder. But the bird bath still provides good entertainment. Here is a surprise Cedar Waxwing, who was joined by a Baltimore Oriole.
It looks like Dr. Clara and Mandrake
are going for another round. She has started building a nest yesterday, and once again was not too happy with Mandrake trying to help 😄 The House Wren has laid a total of seven eggs and is currently incubating. We had some nasty weather here recently and I am happy to see the nestboxes withstood the storms just fine. I hope the same goes for the bird babies in the area. I am expecting to see more any day now.
On this rainy day,
the baby penguins finally appeared. The forecast for the next two days is not much better ,and I am a bit nervous about all the bird bests in the trees. But yes, still, the baby pwenguins are finally here, and I am utterly in love.
