New tenant
This was a BC Chickadee nest with two eggs…one got broken. The Chickadees looked but didn’t come back for other other egg and did not lay anymore. they were harrassed by House Sparrows and House Wrens. Today I saw a Carolina Wren visit with a mate. Not sure who is cleaning out the box.. a Wren I think. Will post more pics if someone moves in. 5-28-23
2nd Brood Attempt
With this year’s first brood now feeding themselves, I noticed the adults were active at the nest box. I have not checked until today, and found 5 eggs in the nest! 2nd attempt underway.
I do not know the date of the first egg, so I am estimating it to have been 5/23/2023.
This nest is built very tall, and the contents are a bit hard to photograph.
Wren eggs.
All 5 young hatched(for the wrens), at least four all that hatched fledged(estimated). We also had our phoebes hatch.
Tufted Titmouse Stays on Nest
This Tufted Titmouse stayed on her nest during my visit.
Whose nest?
A Black- Capped Chickadee started this nest in the Bluebird box back in April. You can see the moss base. House Sparrows and House Wrens tried to take it over. I don’t know which bird has added all this extra material on top…any ideas? No eggs visible. 5-21-23
Fledglings
Winner
This bird which I believe is a House Wren is moving into the Bluebird nest box..with a chickadee nest in it with no eggs. This bird took out alot of nesting material and appears to be adding her own..5-15-23
Unwelcome takeover
The BC chickadee built a nest and the House sparrows started to takeover as you can see in this picture. The HS finally left after a fight and the Chickadees are thinking about reclaiming their nest.
Out of the box
A black capped caring for its nest
Time’s up!
3-day-old Eastern Bluebird babies, still hugging an unhatched egg.
Nest Box Cameras
YouTube Channel
Black Capped Chickadee?
On April 21 the BC Chickadee started building a nest in the Bluebird box. I keep looking but only see lots of nesting material. My husband says he sees an eye/eyes. Look where the piece of straw is hanging down on the right as you look at the pics. Do I have hatchlings? I read chickadees “cover up” the hatchlings when leaving the nest to protect them from predators and to keep the eggs from cooling off.
Nests.
Sorry for the bad photos. None of them were the best.
Robin’s Nest
Photo of a Robin nest being built on a nesting platform my husband built and mounted for them.
Eastern Bluebird Hatchlings
Bluebird EGGSTRAVAGANZA!
Very excited — and surprised — to find 6 Bluebird eggs in the nest box today! Now this is what you call a Bluebird Eggstravaganza! This is far beyond my Eggspectations for this wonderful Bluebird pair!
Falcon Folly
On April 21 an American Kestrel decided the box pole top was an ideal perch for hunting. The Swallows
disappeared for a few days, and I got these photos.
They’re Back!
Busy little birdies
The black-capped Chickadees are fervently building a nest in the bluebird box. Oh my gosh ~ are they ever busy and so cute! Never had chickadee babies beofre…can’t wait. Such cute curious little birds. 4-22-23
Mystery eggs
I am a newbie Bluebird Nestbox Monitor.
One of my monitors just sent me this photo
04/20/2023
Carolina Wren on the lookout
Mom & Dad Tree Swallow sitting on 5 babies
Eggs and a Goldfinch
Busy nest building bluebirds
5 Eastern Bluebird eggs
4/4/23: 1 egg,
4/6/23: 3 eggs,
4/9/23: 5 eggs.
Carolina Chickadee Growing Family
Watching a Chickadee family grow. We are so happy to have this family of Carolina Chickadees in our first Nest Box attempt. I never realized how fragile this process is! I have taken precautions recommended by the Nest Watch project to protect this Chickadee family from predators. I do worry about a nearby Red Tailed Hawk that watches my yard from time to time. I hope the Chickadee family stays safe from it.
First Egg of 2023!
This pair of Eastern Bluebirds have been busy building their nest. Today I checked and found the first egg.
I (like to) believe this is the same pair that raised 3 chicks in this next box last year. Two adult bluebirds have been on the property and feeders throughout the fall and winter. Sometimes, a few others joined them – including some immatures.
Carolina Chickadee with Babies
In this entertaining GIF, Mama arrives and feeds her 3-day old babies.
Recorded with a Blink Mini camera.
Nest building.
The female bluebird stole nest material from the wrens.
New Chickadee Family in San Antonio
First attempt at offering a Nest Box for Eastern Bluebirds. Within 3-4 weeks it had a fully formed nest with 6 eggs! Not bluebird eggs. Carolina Chickadee!
Successful hatching of 6 young. They are so fragile and helpless! I can’t help but worry for their safety. I hope to catch and share a few more photos as the young grow. All Data collected for Nest Watch.
Eastern Bluebird nest building begins.
M & F pair of Eastern Bluebirds observed bringing nesting materials (grasses) to the same nest box used last year. Up to five bluebirds were present daily here throughout the winter, including 2 adults. Possibly the same individuals?
Carolina Chickadee with eggs! 🪺
This cute Carolina Chickadee has 6 eggs and a ~4” tall nest, which is huge for the size of the chickadee. Her mate comes occasionally and feeds Mama. These images were captured with a Blink Mini, mounted inside the nest box.
Starlings checking out the nestbox
Today a male starling was looking at the nestbox, he inspected the whole thing and looked inside. He called over the female who didn’t look pleased with it. (She didn’t even look inside) There is a wasp inside. We tried blasting it out with the hose yesterday, it left, and now it’s back. I heard that vaseline can help. Is this true and how do I prevent the wasp from coming back?
Carolina Chickadees checking out my new nestbox
A male chickadee flew over to the fence near my nestbox, he then when inside, came out, and called to his female. She flew over and went inside. We just put the nestbox up 2 days ago.
Eastern Bluebird feeding one of its young.
Another picture of an Eastern Bluebird feeding one of its young. The nest box was located in my backyard. Three Bluebirds hatched and fledged. The dad was diligent in feeding his young!
Eastern Bluebird Nestling
Eastern Bluebird Nestling that was getting close to fledging. From Spring-Summer 2022. My first attempt at installing a bluebird nest box. Three bluebirds successfully hatched and fledged.
Eastern Blue Bird feeding its nestling
Eastern Bluebird feeding its nestling. Nest box was located in my backyard spring-summer 2022. My first attempt at building one, installing, and monitoring it! Three Bluebirds hatched and fledged.
The Seasonal Evolution of a Duck Box
I have had this Duck Box on the edge of the East Fork of the Eno River in my backyard for 7+/- years. This is the first year it served as a successful nest site for 2 species, Wood Ducks and Eastern Bluebirds. Red Shouldered Hawks on the other hand have always found the Duck Box a productive hunting perch.
Still Hungry
Ready to flee the nestbox
Eastern Bluebird Nesting
rodent or bird?
Found in old wood garage building, easily accessible to animals. My two questions are
a) bird or rodent
b) which way up? ( I didn’t collect it)
Newly hatched Carolina Wrens
Of the five eggs in the nest, three had hatched between about 5:30-7:30 this morning.
First Egg in Carolina Wren Nest
This is a combination of several captured videos of the Carolina Wren’s nest in the nest box in our back yard. Video was captured on July 13, 2022 starting at around 6AM.
Total clutch size reached 5 eggs
ID needed for feathers and nestbox
Feathers were at John Paul’s Landing Park (24202 West Rd, Cypress, TX 77433) and the nest box was at Paul D Rushing’s Chain of Lakes. (9114 Katy Hockley Rd, Katy, TX 77493)
The feathers were about 2” long. They didn’t look like wing feathers.
The nest box was about 20 feet up on a pole. It was made of wood. A gray baby bird with a yellow beak poked its head out.
First egg in carolina wren nest
This is a combination of several captured videos of the Carolina Wren’s nest in the nest box in our back yard. Video was captured on July 13, 2022 starting at around 6AM.
Total clutch size reached 5 eggs
Purple Martins
This photo taken in July, 2022, the first year for this Purple Martin colony at Beltzville State Park near Lehighton, PA. The gourd rack was erected and is managed by the Lehigh Valley Audubon Society.
House Wren Nest Box
My first nest box nest!
Bluebirds Fledged
I saw two fledge, but I am not sure if there were others. They were hidden way up in the tree.
Bluebird family
A juvenile bluebird assists in feeding the brood. Eastern Bluebird
A juvenile bluebird has been assisting mom and dad with feeding the brood. There are four hatchlings in the nest.
Pothonotary Warbler fledgling
All fledglings left today. Friday, July 8, 2022.
Prothonotary Warblers
First ever seeing these birds in our area, husband thought they were Goldfinches, but I knew the goldfinch doesn’t build in boxes.
When I finally found the info on this bird it said it is one of two warblers that build in cavities or houses. Such a BEAUTIFUL bird they all fledged today!!
Bluebird Hatchlings
All 5 bluebirds have hatched! I’ve seen adults stop in to feed very frequently!
Bluebirds Hatch!
Today the first two (I promise there’s another hatchling under the bird with it’s mouth open haha) bluebirds have hatched!
bluebirds
I want food
food please!!
Male bluebird is watching me protecting his chicks
Bluebird Meal!
When I approached the box, I saw the mama feeding her young. Bluebird young are fed exclusively plant and berry matter. After she left, I checked the box and was able to watch the (confused) babies eat their meals!
baby chickadee
Bluebird Nest
Looking out at the world
Carolina Wren building a nest in our back yard birdhouse
I watched this wren work over the weekend to complete the nest. A week before, an English Sparrow was observed on the top of the house for a number of days, She left some bedding. Then the Carolina Wren arrived and completed the nest.
Eastern Bluebirds: eyes open; feathering up
The three nest mates are coming right along. This will probably be the last time I open the box until they fledge.
Tree Swallow male
Male tree swallow bird guarding on 14 may 2022.
Five Eggs, Four Mouths, 3 Sleeping Nestlings
Eastern Bluebird – five eggs laid, 4 hungry young on May 7, 2022. At least 3 sleeping nestlings on May 13. Not sure if the fourth is still there and is just hard to see. Time will tell!!!
Wren nest building
Wrens are busy building nest in a birdhouse they’ve used for several years now.
6 Carolina Chickadee Nestlings!
All 6 of the Carolina Chickadee nestlings finally hatched! Mr. and Mrs. Chickadee are working very hard to feed and raise their young. One day very soon, those little nestlings will grow into happy, cheerful Carolina Chickadees just like their parents. Welcome to the world little ones!
Both pictures taken on May 9, 2022
Eastern Bluebird Hatchlings
Eastern Bluebird hatchlings – one egg left. I see a small puncture / crush on the last egg. Not sure if it is starting to hatch (to the best of my knowledge, that’s usually a morning thing), or if it was accidentally punctured.
Time will tell. Won’t check again for at least 3 days from now.
The First Carolina Chickadee Nestling
When I visited the nest box to check on the Carolina Chickadee nest, I was surprised at what I saw. The first Carolina Chickadee nestling hatched! I was so filled with joy that the first little Chickadee nestling finally made it’s way out the shell. Welcome to the world little Chickadee! Now to wait for it’s siblings to hatch too.
Picture taken on May 5, 2022.
Carolina Chickadee Nest 2022
The Carolina Chickadee nest is located in this viewing, nest box that we put up in our backyard. Both pictures taken on April 24, 2022
Mrs. Carolina Chickadee incubates her eggs
Mrs. Carolina Chickadee keeps her 6 eggs warm. Picture taken on April 27, 2022
6 Carolina Chickadee eggs!
Mrs. Carolina Chickadee laid 6 eggs in our nest box! April 23, 2022
White-breasted Nuthatches
Eastern Bluebird Nest Building Underway
Nest building started Sunday, 4/10/22.
Great Horned Owl
Successful GHO clutch in 2021. Nest constructed from Nest Watch Plan for Great Horned Owl.
Carolina Chickadee nest beginning
The camera inside a chickadee nest box captured this chickadee bringing in nesting materials. Once the chickadee just opened her beak and slung pieces of moss all over the bottom of the box.
Great-crested Flycatcher box
Cleaning house
Great Crested Flycatcher removing the fecal sac.
Tree Swallow with chicks
Nesting Asilomar Birds
I am so lucky that I get to witness these astonishing bird interactions and activities just in passing. I can’t imagine what it would be like to monitor these birds all day long. The drama! I love Violet-green Swallows as they are very beautiful and graceful in the air but also tenacious at the nest: moms don’t leave if the box gets opened, they are scrappy when fighting with the Western Bluebirds for a home, the juveniles return to the boxes when they’re bored of foraging on their own. Just immense personality. And really understudied compared to the Tree Swallows, which have a wider range. I’d like to conduct more research on the VGSW and figure out why they have years of total nest failure and other years are successful. Someday, when I have more time. There are other images of some of my favorite park residents, which include the Western Bluebirds, Pygmy Nuthatches, and Northern Flickers. All are amazing individuals who I love.
Home Is Where The Heart Is
We have a pair of Bewick’s Wrens that discovered an unoccupied bird house in our garden.
Chickadee brood
Mrs. Barred
For the fourteenth year we have Barred owls nesting in view of our breakfast table.
Carolina Wren Eggs
It’s a family affair
Bluebird family (siblings and parents) all pitch in to feed the nestlings
Feed us Mommy!
Mama Eastern Bluebird bringing food to the hungry nestlings.
Our favorite kind of guests
We have several nestboxes that we monitor and maintain on our property. Each year, they are full of babies…some having 2 to 4 broods with us.
Breakfast Has Been Served
A female Eastern Bluebird leaves the nest box after a quick morning meal delivery.
Bundle o’ Flicker Chicks
A pile of nekkid northern flicker chicks, 8 in total. Or is it 9?
Tree Swallow Babies
Bluebird Babies & Eggs
Nuthatch in a Bluebird House
Nuthatch feeding young in a bluebird house.
Monitoring a Kestrel Nest Box
For two seasons I monitored Kestrel Nest Boxes on behalf of the American Kestrel Partnership. At their recommendation, I used a camera mounted on a pole that I could operate remotedly. This made our monitoring much less disruptive to the nest. All the young fledged successfully.
Resourceful Nuthatch
I have several bluebird houses that frequently attract other species including this white breasted nuthatch. The nesting site is about 10ft off the ground with several small branches suitable for perching nearby. The bird skipped between perches before entering the house to feed its young.
Crowd of baby bluebirds
This is a photo of one of the batches of Eastern bluebirds that successfully fledged from one of our bluebird nesting boxes. We provide live meal-worms in a special feeder. The parent birds quickly (usually) find the feeder and make good use of it. Their frequent flights to and from the feeder back to the nest box provide beautiful flashes of color as they struggle to keep up with the ever-hungry chicks.We are convinced that at least a few of these chicks have hung around, knowing that there is a good supply of food both natural and feeder-based.
Tree Swallows
Young tree swallows in their nest box
Violet Green Swallow
Violet Green Swallow on eggs in a nest box
Owl Bucket Filled for the Nest Season
A young owl was seen in the bucket which had been seemingly un-used for many many years.
Breeding photos
Apart from the Black Crown Night Heron nest on a rock just off shore, these are nest box pictures of four cavity nesting species.
Female American Kestrel feeding nestlings.
Female American Kestrel feeding 5 nestlings.