My Little Chickadee's Pt. 2

I guess because of the high winds the Chickadees are moving even faster and it's harder to get a good shot. Here are 2 not very good shots of Dad.

I'll feel so much better once these winds calm down.

Mom and Dad are working fast and furious to keep these chicks fed!

Nice to see that they are still very attentive at their job with the young. I'm so glad that tree fell the other way, so happy they are safe.

Thank you burn!

These guys are such a bundle of energy, they make me tired just watching them. Here is Dad again on one of his many, many food runs. Looks like he has two things.

Wow, I just saw a female Cowbird trying to get into the Chickadee nest box. Thank goodness I have that hole reducer on the opening,

For those that don't know, Cowbirds are brood parasites. They lay their eggs in other birds nests for them to raise.

Pelle, don't the Starlings behave like the Cowbirds also? We're getting a little bit of the North wind here, for two day it has been 'white capping' out there in the water.

The Dees are so industrious! Love them things. Me too, I'm so glad the tree felt the other way.

Hi Lily, I've never heard of Starlings being Brood Parasites. I've only heard that they compete for nesting sites with our native birds.

If I'm wrong I'm sure someone can correct me. :-)

Just looked through my books and there is nothing about Starlings being brood parasites.

This message was edited May 10, 2010 12:52 PM

Everything is still good here with the Chickadee's. Mom still won't let me photograph her,lol.
Here is Dad from this morning.

I'm going to set up my chair and tripod out in the grass to get a different angle on the shots. Will see what we get. Here is Dad again.

Well I tried setting up directly in front of the nest box at 30 feet away. Dad had no problem with this.

Mom on the other hand did not like it one bit and completely refused to enter the box. Here she is in the apple tree chattering at me the whole time.

Check out the look I'm getting!!

When it became apparent that she definitely would not enter the box with me in that position I finally relented and went back closer to the porch.

I was sitting just to the right of the Honeysuckle vine. You can see a piece of the house further down the garden. I've moved back to the left side now. :-)

Some wonderful moments there Pelle. All the while; while pouting at you. Mama Dees has something in her beak! Sweet sweet, chickadees couples.

Mom's pretty smart to not go to near her nest. You could have been a bad person after all. Sorry she wouldn't let you closer, but we know you tried. Cute photos! Love your garden.

Thanks guys! Yes Mom Dee is one smart cookie. :-)

Speaking of Mom, look she actually waited a second so I could get a decent shot of her. LOL, probably in gratitude for moving closer to the porch. :-)

Could this possibly be a DIRTY DIAPER RUN???

Dad here

Wing Wave ??

After Dad exits the box he usually stands on top to look around.

Here is a collage of Dad. He has been such a nice subject to photograph.

I think you captured the dirty diaper run for sure pelle. I've seen the swallows do it many times. Wonderful shots!

Thanks Lily and Margaret. I've been trying to catch a diaper run for days now. :-)

It doesn't look like they'll be fledging today. We're expecting rain tonight and tomorrow.
It would have been nice to know when the eggs were laid so I knew about when fledging would be but I just looked back to that day when I opened the nest box and Mom wouldn't budge. That was April 25th. IF there were eggs there then we are at 17 days.

Incubation is 12-15 days and Fledging is 16-19 days after hatching.

Some real great shots pelle! Good that the cowbird couldn't get in there too.

I have only read of the starlings being a threat to natives such as the red-bellied woodpecker in regards to nesting sites.

Hi Nan, Thank you. Yes I'm glad I had the hole reducer put on. It was interesting to witness her trying to get in though.

Hey Pelle,

what direction is that entrance

I think it's east, I just know it's away from prevailing winds. I'll get back to you with a definite answer later.

Wonderful shots Pelle...so glad Mama let you take her pic! Glad everything is working out so well with this nest...hope to see the babies soon! Very well done...I'm enjoying this immensely!

Thanks Rose.
Today we had a bit of drama when a pair of House Sparrows came into the yard. I was in the shed filling a feeder but when I came out there was a big commotion in the broken tree (near the nest box). The male House Sparrow was there and the Chickadee's were having fits trying to get him out. I walked in that direction and the Sparrow took off. I can't wait till these chicks fledge.

Pelletory,

Wow! I just discovered this thread! Awwwwww...this is a common bird I still have yet to see put on my lifer list, believe it or not. Love the catch of the dirty diaper run...LOL
We have a pair of grackles that drop their youngin's dirty diapers in the birdbath several times a day for 3 years now :/ Why oh why the birdbath, who knows! I'd be curious to know where your male chickadee makes his deposits. Do you think you can track the destination of those trips? HA!
Thanks for sharing the sweet story. Can't wait to see the fledglings!

Hi Susan, I know he goes out of the back yard entirely but he is too fast to follow.


Hmmm... My car has been a real mess lately... I wonder?

Hmmmm...does your neighbor have a birdbath? ;) LOL

No neither of them have bird baths or bird feeders.

I just watched Dad take a caterpillar in the house and then come out with a diaper. The size of the diapers are getting larger. :-)

Constant delivery of food here. Dad on one of his many deliveries.

The morning is not the best time for photos because the front of the box is in shade and the top in sun. Heres Dad again. Never could get one of super fast Mom.

Dad taking away a diaper!!