The Grackles
are filling the air with their calls that sound like broken metal toys, and whenever they see another Grack, they turn into the most elegantly shaped birds, only to then mush up into a big puff. This morning, I saw one carrying some dry grass around, so I think they also might be getting ready to nest.
Spring rain
and mild temperatures have started to wake up the garden. Everywhere you look, tiny soft green is finding its way to the surface, and the air is full of promise. I have started some of my veggie seeds and was daring enough to put radish and beet seeds into the ground (while crossing my fingers for no more deep frost). The Robins are enjoying that the ground is more workable for worms, and they are looking for nest sites. In between, they never say no to a good bath. And then proudly come to see if there are any snacks.
The days are getting longer,
the grass is slowly getting greener, but things are off to a slow start with spring still. It feels like Goldfinches, Grackles and Doves are domainating the yard. But today, I had a Titmouse! And Mandrake, the Bluebird, came to the feeder too. He is guarding Dr. Clara in the box and occasionally bringing her snacks. Have a good Easter Sunday!
Migration time is always interesting
because you never know what might visit. Earlier, the sun was out for just a bit, and I got a surprise visitor in this Purple-winged Blackbird. This is a lifer for me and they usually do not roam around here. The storms must have brought some migrating birds off-course. He’s a stunner, and I hope he stays for a bit.
Dr. Clara and Mandrake nesting 2021
I will collect the photos and info I gather for this first nesting here.
April 1, 2021: Little did I know… Dr. Clara spent the night in the box but not for the reasons I thought. She is clearly a weather expert and knew that it was going to be frosty. So in order to protect her eggs, she kept them warm during the night. And added one more this morning. That should be it now. Six would be crazy!
March 31, 2021: Dr. Clara laid her fourth egg this morning and seems to be spending a lot of time in the box. So it could be that she is done and starting to incubate. Incubation means that she sits on her eggs, warming them with a bald patch on her belly and moving and turning them regularly so they stay evenly warm. Bluebirds incubate fpr about two weeks. I keep track with the nest via the Nestwatch app and notes in my calendar. This way I can see if everything is happening according to schedule.
March 30th, 2021: As of today, there are three eggs in the nest. Now it is going to be an interesting guessing game to see how many more she will lay. If she lays more, which looks likely because she is not sitting on the eggs permanently yet.
It's 50 shades of Peep season.
The Goldfinches are molting (changing into their summer feathers), and have the most adorable, hilarious and dramatic looks. They are also more aggressive than any other bird right now. Which is funny, considering that they will nest the latest. Maybe the sunlight fuels them up, it kind of has a similar effect on me too. 🌞
Egg number 2
was laid this chilly morning at around the same time as the first egg, which is normal for all eggs. I have added the Sparrow spooker yesterday when the wind died down for a bit, and Dr. Clara went into the box without hesitation. This was a relief because sometimes the birds can be a bit fussy about it. When you put one up, please watch for a bit to make sure they accept it (more info on Sparrow Spookers here: http://www.sialis.org/sparrowspooker.htm) . If they don’t, you can try to introduce it gradually, using less streamers for example. Dr. Clara will only start incubating once her clutch is complete. this ensures that all babies will hatch at around the same time, giving them all equal chances of survival.
I will continue to give updates on Dr. Clara and Mandrake’s progress. Going from previous years, I would think we might get a maximum of four eggs. It is always a bit less stressful if the first clutch is small because temperatures can still go very low.
And just like that,
nesting season has officially begun. Dr. Clara laid her first egg this morning. She will now lay one egg per day until her clutch is complete. Bluebirds raise several broods in a season, usually three in my yard. The clutch size can vary with fewer for the first and third and up to six in the second clutch. It is rainy and windy today, so the sparrow spooker will go up only tomorrow. Mine is homemade, two dowels on which I attach streamers made from a birthday balloon. They are supposed to keep House Sparrows at bay. HOSP cannot see well and get spooked by the shiny flappy things and stay away from the box. If you are interested in learning more about Bluebirds and other native cavity nesters, I highly recommend the page sialis.org.
Woodpeckers.
Different species and size, same pose. The large one is a Red-bellied Woodpecker (recognizable as a male by his all-red head cap) and a male Downy Woodpecker (recognizable by the red spot on his head). Have a great Thursday!
The Robins have returned,
there are several around, and some of them have figured out that there are mealworms in the feeders sometimes. Which is great because it allows to study their interesting features. The “mustache” is not really that, it’s something called rictal bristles. Nobody is really sure what they are for, but they seem to have some kind of sensory function.
Starry Sky Grack
has also returned. I love seeing the speckles on his neck. There is even a second one with a different pattern this year. As far as I know this is some form of mild leucism and not harmful.
Dr. Clara and Mandrake
are in the yard every day. He is sitting on the nestbox, defending it against anybody who comes near while she still tends to the nest. The nest looks basically done, so I am expecting her to start laying eggs any time now. I am glad she took her time but there can still be frost and snow.
Mr. Handsome
was taking a break from singing his heart out to have lunch for one in the yard.
With the arrival
of the first migratory birds, tensions are also on the rise. The Robin has discovered the mealworms, and will fiercely defend his right to eat.
These birds
have a case of the Mondays 😆. But temperatures are rising, and it feels really nice to open the windows and be outside. Here’s to a good week!
This beautiful Cardi lady
had a lot of camera time today. She seemed to enjoy the sun as much as I did. I sat in the sun room, updated the sparrow spookers for the Bluebird house and listened to all the birds singing up a storm.
On a side note - if you are a publication and want to publish my photos, please do not remove the watermark. Thanks and happy Sunday!
Love is in the air,
as can be seen by the birds’ (more or less hilarious) behavior but also heard in bird song all over the place. Temperatures are not there yet but nature seems to be very ready to move on from winter. Just like me. Happy Friday!
It was very windy today
and is still storming, and I always like to think that these kinds of winds help the migratory birds to make the big trip. Meanwhile, over here, Dr. Clara has been super busy building her nest but did not do a lot today. The nest looks almost done. In my experience, she takes a couple of days off before laying, so maybe we are close to some eggs. Or maybe she just did not want to carry stuff in the storm.
Happy Tuesday
with a little gallery of the current “staff”. I love that also this year, there is a Grack with a blue sheen that looks different than the usual more purple ones. The Goldfinches are beginning to look very funny, the Titmice seem to be staying for the season, and Peanut the Redbellied Woodpecker is showing why this species is named so.
(Redbellied Woodpecker, Grackle, Grackle, Mourning Dove, Goldfinch, Cardinal, Blue Jay, Redwinged Blackbird, Tufted Titmouse)
