Posts Tagged: bird video
Nine-day-old tree swallow chicks, June 24, 2025
We’re watching our nine-day-old tree swallow chicks in their camera-equipped box. We had another very hot day today, the chicks spent much of it squirming, apparently trying to get comfortable. We just a had a brief thunderstorm which has cooled things down a bit. Several meals were delivered and the chicks have settled in for a nap.
Eight-day-old tree swallow chicks, June 23, 2025
Our tree swallows had a hot day in the box today. The thermometer in the car said it got to 97° this afternoon. The box is shaded from late morning on, sparing the the worst of the day. All five chicks seem to be doing well.
Three-day-old tree swallow chicks
Tree swallows are raising a family in one of our camera-equipped nesting boxes. The chicks hatched last Sunday, here’s a quick look at our three-day-old chicks.
The cameras are mounted inside the box letting us watch without disturbing the birds. The cameras have their quirks. They record in color when there’s enough light and switch to black and white and turn on infrared emitters in low light. They’re slow to adapt to the change in light as the swallows come and go. But, hey, they were cheap.
A quick look at our swallow chicks
Tree swallows claimed one of our nest boxes with a camera installed inside. Their five chicks hatched Sunday, here’s a quick look at the two-day-old chicks from Tuesday evening.
Bluebirds Going for a Second Brood
After the first chicks fledged, I’d see bluebirds around the edge of our field occasionally, but their activities were no longer centered around the house. Monday afternoon, I noticed both mom and dad talking from several perches near the house. Yesterday, mom popped into the box to do some quick upgrades and returned this morning to lay an egg.
We’re watching eastern bluebirds in a nesting box with a camera installed inside to let us watch without disturbing them. The camera switches to black & white in low light. And, the exposure control stinks, that’s why it washes out or goes black as a bird comes or goes.
We Say ‘Good Bye’ to The Bluebirds
All four chicks fledged within a few minutes of each other this morning. Unfortunately, the network dropped not long before they did and we didn’t get any video. This video is within the hour of them fledging. I’ve got a new camera and router to install if I can get to it before they try a second brood.
I was able to get out to visit the Middletons this evening. There was a loon sitting on last year’s nesting site. An update post shortly.
Sunday with the Bluebirds
Our chicks are showing interest in the world outside the box, they’re taking turns peering out of the opening. They’re also testing their wings regularly. Won’t be long now….
We’re watching eastern bluebirds in a nesting box with a camera installed inside to let us watch without disturbing them. The camera switches to black & white in low light. And, the exposure control stinks, that’s why it washes out or goes black as a bird comes or goes. We occasionally get some pixelated frames in the video, I think that is a WiFi issue. A new WiFi repeated is on the way.
Saturday with the Bluebirds
Today was the first day we could have expected them to fledge. All four are still with us after dinner this evening. But, it won’t be long now. Our yard has several bobolinks fluttering and calling.
We’re watching eastern bluebirds in a nesting box with a camera installed inside to let us watch without disturbing them. The camera switches to black & white in low light. And, the exposure control stinks, that’s why it washes out or goes black as a bird comes or goes. We occasionally get some pixelated frames in the video, I think that is a WiFi issue. A new WiFi repeated is on the way.
Friday with the Bluebirds
We’re coming to the first day when the chicks may fledge. They’re big, their feathers are growing in. They’re testing their wings. Previous clutches have shown more interest in looking out the box opening a couple days before they fledged, so I bet we’ll have these guys a few more days.
It was very windy here on the hill this afternoon, that’s the roaring background sound.
We’re watching eastern bluebirds in a nesting box with a camera installed inside to let us watch without disturbing them. The camera switches to black & white in low light. And, the exposure control stinks, that’s why it washes out or goes black as a bird comes or goes. We occasionally get some pixelated frames in the video, I think that is a WiFi issue. A new WiFi repeated is on the way.
Thursday with the Bluebirds
We’re enjoying a beautiful spring afternoon here on the hill. Mom and dad bluebird are off on errands, they’re returning to the nest with food now and then. They’re much less active in the afternoon than the evening. Are the parents off foraging for themselves? Are the insects that much less active during the day? Our chicks are glad to be fed whenever the meal arrives.
We’re watching eastern bluebirds in a nesting box with a camera installed inside to let us watch without disturbing them. The camera switches to black & white in low light. And, the exposure control stinks, that’s why it washes out or goes black as a bird comes or goes. We occasionally get some pixelated frames in the video, I think that is a WiFi issue. A new WiFi repeated is on the way.