A pair of tree swallows appeared last week and checked out both our camera equipped nesting boxes. The bluebirds, who we have had only glimpses of since their chicks fledged, reappeared to explain that the box to the north was theirs. The swallows settled on the other box. Which promptly attracted at least one more pair of swallows interested in the box. One pair has claimed it and started building. Hopefully the bluebirds will return for another brood in their box. 

We’re getting a kick out of them. The box is about 15′ from where we sit on the deck. In front of the deck, we’ve got a humming bird feeder with a stick clamped onto the hook to let the hummingbirds rest. The stick is only about 10′ from my chair on the deck. I’m not surprised that the hummingbirds don’t care. But, I am a little surprised at how comfortable the swallows are sitting there as we come and go. The swallows and the dogs had a few conversations; Dexter gave them a good woofing, but they held their ground and chattered back at him. Now they all ignore each other. 

Here’s their progress as of this morning. 

And our second chick heads out to explore the world. 

Go ahead and bookmark my blog. I’ll have occasional updates and more critter pix. 

Our first chick took the plunge and left the box about 1015 this morning. Mom and dad have been perched on the deck roof calling to the chicks most of the morning. At 1230, the second chick is still in the box. He’s looking out regularly, but has yet been brave enough to go. 

They chicks are still in the box. They’ve made several feints towards the door, but have always backed down. 

Our chicks we’re very active peering out the box’s entrance much of the morning. The wind picked up about noon and we’ve had intermittent heavy showers. That seemed to lessen their interest in the outside world. They’ve more or less settled in the box since midday. Mom and dad were calling from the yard this morning, but are making more frequent trips in with food this afternoon. 

Our chicks are beginning to show interest in the entrance to the nesting box. They’re stretching to take a peek out. Haven’t seen either hop up to stick his head out, but won’t be long now. Update: they’re sitting in the entrance, looking out. 

We’re having a hot day today. Mom has been out of the box most of the day. We’ve got a wren singing from the azaleas by the deck. Mom bluebird has been perching on the deck rail fairly often this morning. She may be letting the wren know that the bluebird’s box is in use. We’ve got another box not too far away, we’ve had both bluebirds and wrens together a few years ago. 

Here’s a clip with the chicks fidgeting in the box, Mom delivering a tasty grasshopper, and one of the chicks trying to see out.

After returning home this afternoon, the first thing I did was check in on my bluebird chicks. They’re getting huge! We can expect them to fledge as early as this Saturday. Here’s a quick clip from late this afternoon. 

Another beautiful spring day here in Vermont. Mom and dad are out hunting and bringing food back to the box. I started putting out some live meal worms last weekend. Haven’t seen the bluebirds taking any. But everyone else seems to enjoy them. The chipping sparrows seem to favor the mealworms over everything else in the buffet. 

There may not be any updates for the next couple days. I’ll be shooting and it will be tough for me to capture and edit video on the road. I’ll see what I can do. 

Here’s mom making a couple trips in with food for the chicks. 

Another warm day here in Vermont. Mom has been out of the box most of the day, returning regularly with food. Late morning, after the box had been in direct sun for several hours, the chicks seemed to be a bit uncomfortable and squirming. The box has several vent holes just below the roof line. Hope they’re helping. The chicks won’t have to be uncomfortable much longer, the first day they’re likely to fledge is Saturday the 22nd. 

Another busy day for our bluebird parents. They spent most of the day hunting and delivering food to the chicks. They did take a break when we had some thunderstorms midday. 

Looks like there is still on egg left in the nest. Yesterday’s video showed one broken egg, then it disappeared. I’d assumed mom hauled it off, but maybe it was hidden under the chicks too.