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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

All five chicks seem to be doing well. They’re jockeying for position in the nest, feeding eagerly and growing rapidly.

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

We’re having a rainy morning here in Newbury. That hasn’t kept mom and dad from their appointed rounds. They’ve been out foraging for the chicks busily this morning.

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

The chicks seem to be thriving, they’re growing quickly. With the nice weather, we’ve started sitting on the deck, putting us ~20 feet from the box. Mom sat and thought a couple minutes the first time she returned to the nest, then just decided to ignore us. Dad goes through Mission Impossible set of stunts to throw us off when he’s headed to feed the chicks. He’ll sit on the perch in the yard I provided, scoot to the azaleas under the box, then head for the roof over the deck before outwitting us and sneaking into the box.

Hummingbirds have been back for about a week now. There’s been an ongoing dispute over who gets to claim the feeder on the deck. I haven’t seen the tree swallows for several days.

Sorry to miss yesterday’s update, just too many things to do with too little time. I’ll have some more of the usual suspects soon along with a toad mating gathering.

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