The last thread was getting long so here is the new thread. If you would like a look back here is the first thread. http://davesgarden.com/community/forums/t/1086381/
Thanks for all the kind words about the thread. The Chickadee's seem to be doing very well and there might even be a chance that the House Wrens have moved on to another yard (fingers crossed).
Here is another pic of Papa Chickadee with a caterpillar.
Here is Mom in the apple tree.
Great shot Pelle. I adore Chickadees. I put out a nesting box this spring for them, but no luck. The closest I got was a misguided female Bluebird trying to get in. It will be relocated in time, and hopefully, the Chickadees will approve. I do hope your House Wrens have moved on.
Since we are cross posting, do you have suggestions about placement of a nesting box for Chickadees?
Hi gazer, I had my box up since last year. I've read they might pick out their nest box as early as January.
Location- (from sialis) Preferred Nesting Habitat: Multi-layered forest with a healthy shrub, midstory, and overstory canopy - swamp forests, maritime/riparian hardwood forests, hardwood and pine. In Great Plains states found in tree-shrub-savannah communities, ranch land. Coastal plains, swamps. Inhabits parks, well-wooded suburban and urban areas. Will nest under canopy as well as in open areas, may prefer edge of open grassland.
My nest box is located about 8 feet from a tree with another tree on the opposite side along with another one maybe 12 feet away. A little ways behind the nest box maybe 25 feet away are more trees in the neighbors yard. In front of the nest box is open space with flowers beds and very low shrubs.
Here is a lot more information on Carolina Chickadees from Sialis- http://www.sialis.org/cach.htm
Thanks, Pelle. I put my box up in March, perhaps too late. I think a little more separation from the Bluebird area would be a good thing. Otherwise, the box is in an appropriate location. I will check out Sialis and devise a plan.
Your welcome gazer! I love the Sialis site, it's a wealth of information. I think it's interesting how some birds some even in the same family can have such different requirements. I guess you will have to look at both the Bluebirds and Chickadee's on Sialis.
Very dark and pouring rain here today so no new pictures.
Love the chickadee pictures. Wish the pair that was here for a few days a couple of months ago, had stayed around. They are my favorite little bird. Yesterday I took a little while to go about 30 miles away up into the foothills of the Cascades where i knew there is a couple of ponds. I parked close as I could get to side of pond. There were some ducks but they flew away.
As I sat there quietly watching, I saw some birds flitting around in the large shrubbery at edge of pond. I though they looked like warblers. Sure enough after a bit they flew a little closer and I could identify them as Yellow Rumped Warblers. They were very active and not close enough for me to take a picture but I did enjoy seeing the first ones of the year.
Donna
The rain stopped for a short while so I went on the porch for about 10 minutes. Unfortunately the House Wrens are back so I am back to being nervous again. I don't know if it is my imagination but I think I'm hearing chick noise coming from the box. We'll see... in my heart I'm hoping the chicks are big enough so that if the House Wrens were able to get into the box they would not be able to remove them.
I walked away from posting this reply to spend some more time watching the Chickadees. The Dad came around with another little caterpillar and was sitting in the tree closest to the box. There were Grackles nearby on both sides of him so he would not enter the box, in fact 1 almost knocked him off his perch as it flew by. When the Grackles seemed to be gone then a Mockingbird perched on the fence near him. When the Mocker left he finally entered the nest box with the treat, this was close to 20 minutes it went on. I am happy to see how very cautious they are because it certainly is a dangerous world out there for them.
Hi Donna, Yes the YR Warblers can be real fun to watch! I've always found them to be quite brave when seeing them down the shore. Did you notice whether they had a yellow throat or white throat?
I'm sending well wishes for the Dees, boys. I'm getting worried too about their safety but glad to learn that they're cautious.
Thanks for sharing your Chickadees with us! None ever did nest in my nestbox (though there have been plenty of inspections), but a pair of Robins are nesting in my backyard Bur Oak. :-)
Carla
Boy I was wishing we had good nesting trees...but now I think I prefer the drama to not be right outside my door!
I know exactly what your saying nanny! If this nesting ended up tragically I would take both nest boxes down for good.
We had a little sun in the afternoon today. Here is Dad with a present for Mom (looks like a spider). She always hides and he has to find her. Playing hard to get??
He looks in the house... no Mommy. :-)
ha. Cutie!
Adorable shots Pelle...wishing good thoughts for the lovely couple!
Thanks Rose!
LOve your chickadees. The Yellow Rumped Warblers had yellow throats. Donna
Cute pics as usual pelle!
Thanks guys. Well the sounds I thought I was hearing are definitely chicks in the nest box. They are getting much louder now. I really hope I'm out there (with the camera) when they fledge.
Both parents are spending a lot of time out of the nest box finding food for their babies. It's so cute to hear them when the parents come back with their treats!
Awwwww!! That's neat!!
YAY!!!!
That photo of daddy is too cute!
OMG. That's so awesome!
If you have Chickadee babies already then I am surely not going to. I think she might be sterile. This would be the second year. :(
Aww, I hope your wrong Marna.
From this morning. Here is Dad with another green caterpillar.
He goes in the nest box and then comes out. He meets Mom in the apple tree and he gives her the caterpillar which she eats.
Here is Mom at the nest box just a few moments later. Pretty girl!
Wow, I never realized their feet were so big! Great pictures, Pelletory.
Carla
Thanks Carla!
Well today I observed what "I thought" was interesting behavior. At first I thought she might just be absorbing the warmth from the sun.
Then I thought because it's already warm here she might be trying to scare up some insects. What do you think?
Look at her laying all the way down!
She is so darn cute. :-) Wings spread now.
...
LOL, leaning over again.
:-)))
Last one.
what is the temperature there today. I've seen that behavior in other birds when they get too warm.
I've seen birds do this on the ground lots of time (and on my patio) but never in a tree. The theory, as I understand it, is that this is a "sun bath" and a way to kill mites and other bugs on their skin. For a few seconds the birds look like their in a trance, it's really weird.
Carla
Hi Margaret, It's 81 degrees right now.
I thought this bird was demented when I first saw it looking like this, then I saw other birds do it and I realized it was just trying to cool itself. It was a very warm day.
