Posts in Category: Wildlife

Photos, stories and ‘how I got the shot’ about birds and animals in the wild

Loons Are Nesting, May 31, 2022

On May 31, 2022 - Loons

Many of the loons around the area have laid their eggs and are sitting on their nests. I’ve been out on several ponds this last week, checking on them and in some cases, putting out the loon nesting signs. Let’s see what I saw along the way.

Just a reminder to let the loons be. You may have the best intentions, but the loons don’t know what you’re up to and approaching them may stress them. And, while it may be harmless for you to approach the nest to have a quick peek, remember you could be the 20th person getting close enough to stress the loons. All the photos of the loons on or near their nest were shot with a 800mm lens and cropped – I’m back well over 100′.

A pileated woodpecker gives me a flyby over one of the local ponds.

An eastern kingbird poses nicely not far from one of the loon nests.

There’s a beaver lodge that I have to pass to visit the loons on one of the ponds. The beavers are sure to greet me as I pass.

When I last checked on the loons on this pond, they were still exploring real estate. The swim along the shoreline – usually on an island or check out the hummocks in the marsh. They vocalize softly while hunting for a spot. The male will eventually pick a spot. If a pair was successful hatching chicks the year before, they’re likely to pick the same spot again – if it is still available.

On my most recent visit, the loons had selected a spot near where last year’s nest was and were sitting on egg(s).

Loons’ legs are very far back on their body, making walking difficult. They’ll nest within a couple of feet of the water. This loon is climbing out of the water to take a shift sitting on the egg(s).

Both parents take turns sitting on the eggs. Females are more likely to take the night shift and spend more time sitting as incubation ends. During the day, the pair will do a handful of nest exchanges – a shift change for sitting. Often when the off duty loon returns to the area around the nest, the loons will dip their heads with the tip their bills in the water. I suspect it is a greeting, but haven’t found any documentation to back that up.

Loons coming off a shift of nest sitting will often stretch and preen a bit before heading out to forage. I think is is the loon version of a yawn, with full neck stretch.

An early morning departure for one of the loons on a local pond.

Another loon sitting on a nest. The loons on this pond were successful in raising two chicks last year, the laid their eggs in the same spot. All those black specks are black flies. It is a very good year for the flies.

Here’s the same loon leaving the nest for shift change. This shot gives you a good view of how far back their legs are.

Loons lay one or two eggs in a simple nest.

Here’s the same nest late in the day. I returned to the pond with their sign to try to keep people away from the nest. Loons will pant like dogs when they’re hot. This loon has been in direct sun for several hours and is trying to cool down.

This loon is very stressed – an otter surfaced not far from the nest while I was watching. If a loon flattens out like this when you approach, you’re too close and are bothering the loon.

If you’re sitting quietly, loons will sometimes surface close to your boat.

Of course, we’re all looking for the shot of a loon stretching…

I hope to follow a couple of loon families for the rest of the summer again. Sign up for post updates to keep up with how they’re doing.

You can learn more about loons and conservation efforts on their behalf on the Loon Preservation Committee’s site, the Vermont Center for Ecostudies site or the Adirondack Center for Loon Conservation site.

birding, birds, common loon, loon, new hampshire wildlife, vermont wildlife

We Say Goodbye To Our Chicks, May 24, 2022

On May 24, 2022 - Bluebird Cam

The four chicks that stayed in the box yesterday held out until after lunch today. Just before 1:00, three of the four departed one after the other. The fourth left within the hour. They’re hiding in the shrubs by the deck. In years past, the parents moved them off to the brush along the side of the yard within a few hours. We’ll likely see them foraging around the yard for much of the summer. If the parents try for a new brood, these chicks may help feed the next ones.

bird video, birding, birds, bluebird, bluebird nest, bluebird video, bluebirdcam, eastern bluebird, new hampshire wildlife, vermont wildlife

First Chick Fledged, May 23, 2022

On May 23, 2022 - Bluebird Cam

The first brave little chick left the nest box just before dawn this morning. By the time I realized it, the chick was hunkered down on the deck under the railing. It was easy to image it may have been wondering if it had made a mistake… The other chicks are busy looking out, but haven’t made the jump yet. Mom and dad are perched near the box calling to them. They’ve cut back on delivering food to the chicks still in the box to encourage them to get going.

We’re watching eastern bluebirds in a nest box that has a camera built in to let us watch without disturbing the birds.

bird video, birding, birds, bluebird, bluebird nest, bluebird video, bluebirdcam, eastern bluebird, new hampshire wildlife, vermont wildlife

Looking Out The Window, May 22, 2022

On May 22, 2022 - Bluebird Cam

We’re having a hot day, about 90°F, today. The chicks are taking turns looking out the window of their box. Mom and dad are perched nearby calling for the chicks to come out. They’re likely to wait until at least tomorrow (Monday May 23) before heading out, but we’re watching.

We’re watching eastern bluebirds in a nesting box with a camera built in to let us watch without disturbing the birds.

bird video, birding, birds, bluebird, bluebird nest, bluebird video, bluebirdcam, eastern bluebird, new hampshire wildlife, vermont wildlife

Bluebird Chicks Curious About The World, May 21, 2022

On May 21, 2022 - Bluebird Cam

Today is day 15 for our bluebird chicks. They’re stretching their wings, jockeying for position in an ever tighter space and they’re beginning to peek out of the door of the box to see what’s in store for them. They could fledge as soon as Monday.

We’re watching eastern bluebirds in a nest box with a camera installed to let us watch without disturbing the birds.

bird video, birding, birds, bluebird, bluebird nest, bluebird video, bluebirdcam, eastern bluebird, new hampshire wildlife

Bluebird Chicks Testing Their Wings, May 20, 2022

On May 20, 2022 - Bluebird Cam

Today is day 14 for our baby bluebirds. They’re active, fidgeting in the nest and testing their wings. Haven’t seen mom around the yard today, but dad has been working overtime hauling in groceries. The chicks are getting loud. Their box is mounted on the deck at the front of the house, they’re easily heard in my office at the back of the house.

A pair of tree swallows explored the second box on the deck, but a third swallow objected.

We’re watching eastern bluebirds in a box with a camera built in to let us watch without disturbing the birds.

birding, birds, bluebird, bluebird nest, bluebird video, bluebirdcam, eastern bluebird, new hampshire wildlife, vermont wildlife

Day 13 With The Bluebird Chicks, May 19, 2022

On May 19, 2022 - Bluebird Cam

The chicks have progressed to testing their wings. Things look like they’re getting cramped in the nesting box. The chicks should be with us until at least Monday.

We’re watching eastern bluebirds nesting in a box that has a camera installed to let us watch without disturbing the birds.

bird video, birding, birds, bluebird, bluebird nest, bluebird video, bluebirdcam, eastern bluebird, new hampshire wildlife, vermont wildlife

Day 12 With The Bluebird Chicks, May 18, 2022

On May 18, 2022 - Bluebird Cam

Take a look at how big the chicks have gotten! They all seem to be doing well. They could fledge as soon as Monday, although it is likely they’ll take another couple days.

We’re watching eastern bluebirds in a nesting box with a camera installed to allow us to watch without disturbing the birds.

bird video, birds, bluebird, bluebird nest, bluebird video, bluebirdcam, eastern bluebird, new hampshire wildlife, vermont wildlife

Day 11 With The Bluebird Chicks, May 17, 2022

On May 17, 2022 - Bluebird Cam

All five chicks are doing well. Dad seems be enjoying the mealworms I put out for himself, haven’t seen him bring any in to the chicks. Our tree swallows are back, swooping around the yard and the other box on the deck.