Birds Nesting & Activities in The Garden 2011 vol. #4

Oh wow, Pelle. Those little ones already fledged. Whoa!

I noticed yesterday 1 seemed to have left then this afternoon I came home to an empty nest. Glad they all did well.

Congratulation on the successful fledge Pelle.

Love to hear about a successful nesting! I'm often sad to see them go, but also fairly relieved that all went well.

Yes Marna, so we all do experience the proverbial 'Empty Nest Syndrome' so to speak. But it's such a joy knowing they've successfully fledged as you said.

No babies, but Lucy and Ricky still love to bring in new nesting materials.

First time we've ever had tree swallows here in the yard hanging out, and they seem to be building a nest in one of the bird houses now! Yippee!

Congratulations skellogg!

Adorable Mrs Ed!

May I echoing what Pelle just said. lol.

Congrats on the wee ones everyone and Mrs. Ed don't give up hope, you never know!

Here is one of the Bluebirds that fledged a few weeks ago. They are now coming to the mealworm feeder. Their parents have built a new nest so am checking for eggs any day now.

Aww adorable Rose!

Rose, how adorable. What joy to have the fledglings to come to the feeder. I saw a Cardinal bought his fledgling to the grain feeder today for the first time. I was so excited and was fumbling for the camera that I scared them off. I need to try to contain myself better next time. Nice catch of the 'baby'.

Well things have been cooled down somewhat these past couple of weeks. Until it suddenly heats back up today. Found a Duck wanting to convert my plant container into a nest. Most likely it's the Mallards that pulled this trick this morning. Here they were early this morning.

See this inviting corner of the garden? So thought the Mallards...

Within the biggest container to the far end of the pier. A duck (must be the Mallard) has left me an egg this afternoon. What a gardener to do?

awww, you're going to be a duck mother like our Arkansas Duckmother!

Congrats Grandma!!

Oh my! LOL, I just posted a question to duckmother (Kim). lol

Well folks, foster Ma or grandma, whether I'm ready to be one or not--here it goes!. LOL, a pix this early morning. If one looks closely you'll see the Mallard mama is peeking through the corner as I walked closer to the pier. She's laid a second egg overnight? All through the day, the couple (Mallards couple) remained nearby irregard my present and others swimming and playing/working in the area.

Ooops, that was shortly afterward. She has jumped into the water as I was getting close...

I think this was the intended pix as I've mentioned earlier. The photos are out of sequent.

Phoebes are nesting in the barn. One had a small catapiller in its mouth to feed. Catch them all, guys.

Congrats on your Phoebes nesting in the barn IrisMA. It's so much fun to watch those darling birds. I love to hear their song.

Ma and Pa Mallards stayed close to the nest all day;

Cute!

I can pretty much expect the third egg by tomorrow morning. Here the mallards are coming to their roosting place at day ends.

Early this morning I went and checked on the nest. The Mallard hen was else where and no sight of the third egg. After lunch hours however, here they're! The 3rd egg on the counting.

oooo, you're going to have little duckies!!!!!

do Phoebes drum? A small brownish bird was drumming on the side of the barn. I don't know of any brown woodpecker.

Kim, this is so exciting. Can't wait to see the ducklings, duckmother MkII

Hi Margaret, yes indeed it's exciting. I'm excited that's for sure. lol. Marna, thank you for that cutie pie pix. I remember your little duckling in years past. What's a joy to see her pix again.

IrisMA, I don't think Phoebes do the pecking. It could possibly be a Northern Flicker? From a distance, that colorful woodpecker appear a little muted. Until we catch them in good lighting then they become very colorful especially in flight.

what about a nuthatch? Brown headed/red breasted?

Could be, it was a small bird. There are a few red breasted nuthatches around, although white breasted more common. I was about 25 ft away, but difficult to see abainst a brown barn.

Not sure when when the eggs will hatch, the duck didn't seem to care when I was close to the nest this morning.

Duck mother Mark 2. Meaning you're the second!
She's so dang cute.

Awww, I hope I can earn that tittle. Thanks Marg and Marna. Hah, she has better be cute. For I'm giving up my plants in that pot just for her and the future babies. lol. Did you know I've Artichoke, Eggplant and what's not in there? lol

edit to correct typo.

This message was edited Jun 8, 2011 10:57 AM

Eggplant fruit kept on growing in that pot. The plants keep the nest half hidden, I think that was one of the reasons the ducks chose this spot. On high noon, I discover others are either looking for a nesting site, and yet another is building its nest. More to come....

A nest seeker?

Oh my, oh my!