Empty Nest 2

No, not a sequel to the show. Just some updates.

The baby robin sat out on the back deck most of the day. It was only some time after 3 pm that I didn't see it any more. I thought I heard some peeping/rustling outside the window. Dave and I both checked under the deck and in the garden, but we didn't see it. So if it was still there, it was well hidden from view of any predator hawks/owls (I hope). No sign of them this morning either. I saw the adult robins a bit in the yard last night, but that was about it. I wonder if they'll reuse the nest for a second time this year. Dave checked the nest last night and it was completely empty, so all eggs hatched and all babies appear to have fledged successfully.

Here are more pics of the baby waiting it out in the rain.

Empty Nest- no longer just an amazing 80s tv show

Yes, this morning we are suffering from empty nest syndrome. After waking to much peeping outside our bedroom window, I saw a baby robin perched on the back porch. I watched him(or her?) for quite awhile and he just sat there, all puffed up. I went outside to the back porch and he still didn't move. Momma was nearby with worms in her mouth. She flew up to the nest, then down to him and dropped the food in his mouth. I called Dave up and we saw the nest is empty. Already!!



This baby is the only one we've seen around this morning, but I did see an adult robin flying around out front up to a tree as well, so the other babies might be out front. It's been about three hours and the baby is still sitting tight on the back porch. I guess he's reluctant to leave too. I'll keep an eye out and see how he does throughout the day. Here are some pics:

More migration

Yesterday, whilst waiting for the kettle to boil for an afternoon tea, I caught sight of the Orchard Oriole in our yard for the first time this year. We had just been lamenting that we missed him this year and there he was! He was at the tray feeder eating some Welch's grape jelly and then off he went. He didn't stick around long enough for me to get the camera out, but it was definitely him. The Baltimore Oriole is still around, but we are only seeing one male now. I think the others may have moved on. Here are some pics of the Orchard Oriole from last year and one of him next to the Baltimore to show the contrast between the two.

I've also been missing our Red-Bellied Woodpeckers. We haven't been seeing much of them at all, so I am hoping that means they are busy on a nest and not that they've moved out of the area. In the winter we see the female on an almost daily basis and the male makes frequent appearances as well. Other than one sighting last week, I can't remember the last time we saw one of them. Here are some pics of RBW from last year when they would come up to the suet feeder right outside our window. They haven't done that in a long time. They usually eat at the suet feeder under a large tree out front.

We are also only seeing one or two female Rose-Breasted Grosbeaks these days. One male has made the occasional appearance since late last week. A big change from the 10 or more that were frequenting the feeders for such a brief time. I suspect by the end of this week/early next week we won't be seeing them any more until next year. Both the males and females are so pretty. I'll miss their cheerful songs. Here's a picture my niece took of the female out front on Sunday.

No further sightings of the Indigo Bunting. We only saw one on Mother's Day weekend and then no more. Last year we had a few at a time (maybe three?) and they were around for a little over a week. We haven't seen the Bluebird again either. Last year they were nesting by the beginning of June, so maybe the one we saw was just scouting out the area. I hope the house sparrows and starlings didn't chase it away for good. We have nesting boxes ready and waiting for them.

Dave saw a Great-Crested Flycatcher in the side woodlot on Monday morning. It ws gone by the time I got out there, but he got a great shot of it.

The tree swallows are being vigilant around their nesting box. Here are the male and female hanging out together.

We also saw some barn swallows together on the wire out beside our house as well. These birds are so beautiful- these pics don't do them justice, but here it is anyway.

And finally, last night we saw some Cedar Waxwings in the dead trees out back. They were moving around though, so I only got one shot of just one before it took off and it's not the best quality. We'll be keeping an eye out and try to get another shot soon.

Miscellaneous

Here a few miscellaneous shots of birds- most are the usuals we get around on a daily basis.

Female Downey Woodpecker at the suet:



Male and female House Finches snacking on sunflower seeds. These two are always together. I hope we see some babies soon!

A grackle. These guys are big and noisy, but I like them. I love the beautiful sheen of their feathers, especially on their head.




A cormorant at the golf course. It was in with a group of Canada Geese.



A view of Beverley Swamp where we went hiking last weekend.


A view of a catbird at the swamp. He/She was being very noisy! We also saw one behind our house yesterday for the first time this year.


An American Redstart- this was also a first-time viewing for us, so another one added to our life list (also seen at the swamp last weekend).

Birds added to the life lists

On Saturday, we drove out to Britannia Rd, between 5th and 6th Line. Due to construction, there is a new pond recently formed. Naturally this has created a haven for birds. We were able to see three new never-before-seen (for us) birds. We think there may have been a fourth, but since there was quite a distance from where we were to the water and there was so much movement, it's difficult to say for sure. We plan to make another visit out there soon for a second viewing.

Here's what we have confirmed to see: semi-palmated plovers, least sandpipers and dunlins (the dunlins have the black underbelly).









On a prior visit we also saw yellow legs (not sure if they were greater or lesser), but we have seen those before on our fall 08 trip out to NB.




While we were watching the birds, there was a sudden movement and they all took off. What we think is a peregrine falcon flew by and everyone headed for cover. Dave said he read that a peregrine has been in the area, so it's not out of question that we saw it too. It was definitely too small for most hawks and had a different body shape than a hawk as well, so that's our best guess. The pics of that don't reveal much as the falcon was very high up and of course was moving very quickly.

Nesting News

We have some nesting updates:

The baby robins have hatched. I think there are four in there. They are sticking their heads up and making all kinds of noise when the parents show up with worms and grubs for them. Ugly-cute!

The tree swallows have been gettin' busy. Dave took some pics inside the nesting box and as of Saturday, there were 2 eggs in the box. They continue to go at it, so there should be more in there by the end of the week (they will lay an egg each day until they get to a certain amount- I think there were 6 eggs last year). Sexy times!!

Warbler Weekend

On Saturday we saw a Yellow-Rumped Warbler in the woods to the side of our house. It was moving quickly through the trees and Dave was able to get a picture of it. Very cute! It's a male as you can see a little bit of yellow on his head.



On our hike on Monday, we saw the Yellow Warbler (the same bird we saw out front last week). This time I was able to get a fairly good picture of it, so now we have one of our own to post!