The first bird was a Chestnut Sided Warbler. I didn’t think I’d ever seen one in the backyard before, but I noticed I had a post on May 21st from last year that referenced this bird.  Just like last year, the Chestnut Sided Warbler was interested in taking a drink.  This year, instead of going to a bird bath, the bird went to the Disappearing Bird Stream.

Chestnut Sided Warbler Heading Towards Bird Stream

The second bird was a Rose Breasted Grosbeak, a female.  She was fairly shy, only staying in the tree for a moment, then heading to the bird feeder for sunflower seeds.

Female Rose Breasted Grosbeak On Eastern Red Cedar

I did get some pictures on the day the last three left the nest.  All three babies kept peeking out of the nest and flapping their wings.  That wore them out and they would fall asleep at the nest hole.

The sad news is that I haven’t seen any of the babies since they have left the nest, but the parents still drop by for some meal worms.

Baby Bluebird Falling Asleep Contemplating Leaving The Nest

Baby Bluebird Contemplating Leaving The Nest

About 10 minutes later I was able to walk outside and the parents were back to normal.  I left them a few mealworms then went back inside and started to review my security cameras.  Sure enough, at 6:43 p.m. I saw one of the babies make its first leap into the real world.  I’m guessing that one of the fledglings (two actually fledged) flew near the garden by the back door.  The parents were watching it then when I went to open the door, they went into attack mode.  I never did see either of the two fledglings tonight.

I did go back at dusk and check the inside of the nest.  Three babies remain.  I fully expect them to leave the nest sometime tomorrow.

I like the little blue tail on the one baby.

Day 17 With Baby Bluebird Showing Blue Tail

First up is the Red Bellied Woodpecker.  I’m pretty sure there is a nest nearby, as both parents are constantly feeding from the primary feeder.

Red Bellied Woodpecker With Nut In Mouth From Bird Blind

Next is a Bluejay.  I thought we just had two of them as I see them bathing every day in the bird stream, but today I saw a total of three.

Blue Jay With Nut In Mouth On Feeder

Next is the Tufted Titmouse.  We often hear these birds, but they don’t stay too long at the feeder.  They grab a nut, then head off into the trees to eat.

Tufted Titmouse About To Grab A Nut

Finally we have a male Northern Cardinal.  These guys are present all year round.  They also tend to be the most patient in using the feeder.  Whereas some of the other birds tend to dominate the feeder, these guys will just wait until early evening to get their meal after everyone else has left.

Male Northern Cardinal About To Feed

Day 14 Eastern Bluebird Babies

Although I’m sure the parents are getting tired, it doesn’t mean they have relaxed on their hunting.  Check out this giant grub that Mama Bluebird found the other day.  Whichever baby received this tasty morsel probably doubled their weight:-).

Eastern Bluebird Mama With Giant Grub

I plan on using it around the backyard and near the disappearing bird stream to take pictures of birds.

I haven’t used it a whole lot yet so I can’t offer a detailed review, but I can offer some general impressions.  It’s much, much cooler (temperature-wise) than the one man chair blind.  It has really nice circulation and lots of open windows.  The birds don’t seem to notice it at all, some even landing on top of it.  About the only criticism I can say about it is that it is not easy to fold up if you plan on taking it anywhere.

Bird Photography Blind Ameristep Brickhouse

Of course when the dogs are in the backyard, especially Sascha (German Shepherd), they have to join me.

Outdoor Man Cave With Dogs Inside

Notice how the one egg has a small puncture in it?  I guarantee that was because a House Sparrow raided the nest.  I can’t stand those birds and this is just one of the many reasons why.

I didn’t notice it until I downloaded the pictures tonight, so I’ll remove it from the nest tomorrow.

Nest M Of Purple Martin Eggs One Punctured

All 5 babies (I counted) are doing well.  Both parents are really becoming excellent insect hunters.  I suppose they have no choice as the little birds are growing so quickly.

I offer the adults mealworms twice a day, once early in the morning, and once in the late afternoon.  This morning I was running a little late in setting out the mealworms and I noticed the unmistakeable sound of the Eastern Bluebird, almost calling out to me letting me know I was a little late in the feeding.

To give you an idea of how fast they grow, look at the baby in the first picture (and notice the feathers growing in) compared to the previous day.

Day 11 Of Baby Eastern Bluebirds

Day 10 Of Baby Eastern Bluebirds

I think that’s a very good sign, and a sign that the insects are more plentiful compared to last year when we were experiencing an extreme drought.

Oh, interestingly enough, one set of eggs is in our established Martin house, the other set is in the new house which are gourds.

First Purple Martin Eggs Of 2012

Sascha (German Shepherd) is also getting older (8 years old), but she has turned into a wonderful house dog.  In her younger years she had so much drive it was hard for her to sit still for any length of time.  She still has lots of energy, but she appears calmer.  She is the typical German Shepherd, she’s extremely loyal to me and wants to be where ever I am.  Leecy tells me she sits by the front door until I get home.

Sascha And Maggie Laying Together By Pond

Eastern Bluebird Babies Day 6

There clearly (at least to me) is a runt of the family.  It’s the one on the far right of the picture.  The others appear to be a little more dominant and are always begging for food.  Hopefully the smallest one can get the food it needs while competing with the others.

Eastern Bluebird Babies Day 7

That brings me to the parents.  They are in full swing now in feeding the babies.  The male has turned into a feeding machine.  He is diving in the grass, hunting by my pond, and taking whatever meal worms he can get in order to feed the babies.

Male Eastern Bluebird Watching Over Nest

Here he is with a freshly caught spider.

Male Eastern Bluebird With Spider In Mouth

It’s been a strange year for the Ruby Throats in our backyard as we have seen very few compared to previous years.

Male Ruby Throated Hummingbird In Dappled Light