Day 1 Feb 23 Mating behavior observed
Days 1-37 Feb 24-Mar 31 House exploration and nest building
(37 days)
(37 days)
Day 37 Mar 31 Egg laying day
(perhaps across several days?)
(perhaps across several days?)
Days 38-51 Apr 1-14 She sits on egg(s) / he protects nest
(14 days)
(14 days)
Day 51 Apr 14 Egg hatching day
Days 52-67 Apr 15-30 Both parents feed nestling(s)
(16 days)
Day 67 Apr 30 Fledge day(16 days)
The moment of fledge likely came sometime on Saturday, April 30th. As expected, I missed it due to traveling, but family at home reported lots of parental nest tending on Friday, that they made no observations on Saturday, that the nest box was totally abandoned and silent on Sunday morning (May 1st).
Having returned from trip on May 9th, I've since caught daily backyard glimpses of one speckled fledgling, always closely attended by a parent, often being fed by said parent on the banister near feeder. Appears to be just one newbie. Don't know if only one fledged or if others were snatched by hawk or owl (I hear a barred owl every evening). I'm going with the theory of a one-egg clutch from the beginning, since the nestling cries were never very loud. I had actually worried that the clutch wasn't healthy, because they didn't make the racket I remember from years past.
All in all, even if only one fledged, it was a successful nesting venture. Whatever happened, the one looks hale and hearty. Not sure yet if male or female. Will watch as new breast and back feathers grow in. Already it comes to the feeder with its daddy.
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| See its still speckled breast as it peeks around the feeder. |
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| Its new blue tail |
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| Its fluffy innocence |
Good news: Today I heard the male bluebird's mating call start up again. Chewwww-chu-chu.
Day 1 of next brood? No trips planned for the next 67 days. Yay.
I may have missed the bluebird fledge, but happiness of all happinesses, Moe and I were witness to a significant fledge in our own family---that of our firstborn daughter's PhD graduation and hooding ceremony at Michigan State University on May 6th. A glorious day from start to finish, full of breathtaking moments. But none more tender than watching her wait on stage, tall and proud and confident, while her advising professor spoke with eloquence about her considerable accomplishment. Our hearts swelled, our tears flowed.
Day 1 of next brood? No trips planned for the next 67 days. Yay.
I may have missed the bluebird fledge, but happiness of all happinesses, Moe and I were witness to a significant fledge in our own family---that of our firstborn daughter's PhD graduation and hooding ceremony at Michigan State University on May 6th. A glorious day from start to finish, full of breathtaking moments. But none more tender than watching her wait on stage, tall and proud and confident, while her advising professor spoke with eloquence about her considerable accomplishment. Our hearts swelled, our tears flowed.
I wonder if the bluebirds felt the same pride on the day they watched their young take flight. dkm
4 comments:
Well, what a lovely link between bluebird family and Hannah's graduation. The bluebird photos are gorgeous, especially that first one with junior peeking round the edge of the feeder. 'Tall and proud and confident' - such a lovely description. Neither of my parents was alive for my PhD graduation which made it a bitter-sweet event.
Bittersweet for sure after all that hard work! I had never been to one---it was magical---the sea of colors of the academic regalia of professors who had received their degrees from an array of institutions. Stanford's red was eye-catching indeed. Where did you earn yours? And what are the colors of your academic regalia? I'd love to see a photo if you have one!
Mine was University of Canterbury Deb. I can't even remember the colour. I probably have photos somewhere though certainly not readily accessible. The highlight for me was having my name called, going up the steps (and I was #2, very early in the piece and it was all very formal and well behaved) and my colleagues in the auditorium leaping to their feet and shouting 'Go Jane!!!!!' That broke the ice ;-)
Go Jane!!!!!!!!
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