I've only seen it once before. Today I got to see it again: nestling bluebirds making the transition to fledglings.
It was late in the morning - 11:30am. I was checking the bluebird boxes in Maxville when I realized my good fortune. Two chicks poked their heads out of the entrance hole. I could hear their parents, clacking their bills as they strafed me from overhead.
I went back to my Prius to watch the drama.
I expected the nestlings would fly to the nearby tree. I was surprised to see the first little bird fail to defy gravity. Its first "flight" was unspectacular - more like a "plummet" to the grass below. Momma bluebird brought a mouthful of insects and lured it to cover.
Both mom and dad returned their focus to the other nestlings.
There was a lot of looking, a lot of calling, a lot of momma flying around.
After about an hour, the mid-day heat got to us, so we headed off to check the rest of our nest boxes. I left feeling good about this box - so far it's been 9 (eggs) for 9 (fledglings).
Great photos of the great event. Very exciting!
ReplyDeleteI've never witnessed this in person, but would like to. Paula