Posts Tagged: nest cam
10-day-old tree swallow chicks, June 25, 2025
Sad news today, we lost either two or three chicks. Just after last night’s post a kestrel was trying to get into the box. The swallows chased him off, only to have him return. They successfully drove him off and all the chicks were fine when I went to bed last night.
Today, the chicks are hiding under the feathers that the parents brought in to cover the eggs and chicks. I can’t decide if there are two or three chicks left.
The chicks in the box seem to be doing well, they’re moving around under the feathers and pop up when a parent delivers a meal.
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.
Seven-day-old tree swallow chicks, June 22, 2025
A good look at our seven-day-old tree swallow chicks this evening. We’re having a hot afternoon here in West Newbury, the chicks are sprawled out trying to cool off.
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.
Six-day-old tree swallow chicks, June 21, 2025
The swallow chicks are now six days old and look to be doing well. We had a hot day here on the hill, the chicks seemed to be fidgeting more. And mom and dad are going all out to bring in the groceries.
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.
Four-day-old tree swallow chicks, June 19, 2025
Our tree swallow chicks are now four-days-old and look to be doing well. Mom and dad are keeping busy bringing in groceries and explaining to our dogs that they need to stay on the far end of the deck.
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.
Updates on the Loons, Swallows & Foxes
Happy Nature Photography Day! Seems like a good time for an update.
A couple days ago, the tree swallows nesting in the box on the deck declared us persona non grata and have been defending the yard. This morning, they’ve been chattering away more than usual and both parents are popping in and out of the box regularly. Just a few minutes ago, I got the first glimpse of the chicks:
I stopped in to see the Middletons on the fifth. I found only one loon on the pond at daybreak. I went looking to see if the second was sitting on the nest. I looked in in the places they’ve nested before, without finding a nest.
Last Sunday, I visited the Westons. The forecast called for a sunny morning. It was clear here on the hill when I woke. The Weston’s pond was socked in with fog. We were at the beginning of the window where the chicks might hatch.
On Wednesday, I had a chance to visit the fox den again. The last two trips, I’ve seen only one kit at a time, I’m not sure if they’re taking turns out of the den or if we’ve lost the second kit.
Friday morning, I headed up to see the Eastons. They’re behind schedule. Their chicks usually hatch the third weekend in June, but they hadn’t laid their eggs by my last visit.
Looks like more rain the start of this week, I’ll be back out when we get a decent morning.
Bluebirds Have a Second Egg
Our bluebirds caught me off guard this spring. Their cameras have been acting up and not sending notifications when they’re in the box as they should. It has been on my list to figure out why, but I hadn’t found the time. Yesterday, I went to show a friend the live feed and discovered Mrs. Bluebird laying her first egg. I was able to get the video running this morning to catch her laying a second egg. Mr. Bluebird makes a cameo, delivering a snack.
Swallow Update July 15, 2021
Another day, another egg for our tree swallows.
Return of the Bluebirds! April 7, 2021
Our bluebirds, Barry and Jeans, have returned to claim their nest box for another season! Barry has been checking the box several times a day for the last week. On April 6, he dragged a few stalks of grass into the box. This morning, things got serious when Jeans stepped in and put her talents into organizing the building of the nest.
We’ll see Jeans come and go from the box and watch as she starts to form the cup in the nest with her breast.
Barry and Jeans have nested in the box the last two seasons. They’ve raised three broods and fledged 12 chicks. (Well, two bluebirds that look like Barry and Jeans… we have no way of knowing if this is the same pair. We just hope they are.)
We’re watching eastern bluebirds inside a nesting box in West Newbury, Vermont. The camera is permanently mounted in the box and we can watch without bothering the birds. I’ve edited the video to cut out time when nothing is happening, you may notice the video jump a couple times.