Nesting Updates

The Barn Swallows are hatching today; as of 8 p.m., three of the five have hatched!



The two Eastern Bluebird chicks are getting quite big and I suspect they will be out into the big wide world soon enough.



The Tree Swallows have five babies hatched. I love those little faces!



The House Wrens have five babies in their box as well.



We've also seen fledgling Grackles (and unfortunately House Sparrows and Starlings). We know that all the Woodpeckers (Hairy, Downy and Red-bellied) must have young nearby as they are taking big chunks of suet in their beaks and flying off with it. The Cardinals look like they have nested elsewhere nearby (after a previous failed nest), and I've seen the male feeding the female. The male and female Grosbeaks and Chipping Sparrows have both been caught in the act as well. We also observed a male Ruby-throated Hummingbird doing his little dance for the female. Dave saw a Red-breasted Nuthatch gathering nesting material awhile back as well. We are certain there are lots of nests and egg laying going on!

Congratulations to all the new mama and papa birds who are working so hard to feed and raise their young!