First I had black-capped chickadees cleaning out a hole in the big stump in my yard. They worked for three weeks and then suddenly the chickadees were gone and two red-breasted nuthatches worked on the hole.
The nuthatches nested. First, I watched the male come and go with food. Then both adults carried food.
I wanted to get photos of the little guys. I tried. I waited at the stump. They would not poke their heads out while I was near. I knew they were close to fledging.
This morning when I looked out something seemed different. There were no parents going back and forth. I have to assume that the little guys fledged and are somewhere else in the neighborhood.
Whew! That's a better ending than I anticipated when I read the post title!
ReplyDeleteBirds leave the nest surprisingly early, don't they? They need to get going, I suppose, to be strong enough to withstand winter.
They also have to leave the area before a predator discovers them. Yes, many times your heart is in your mouth .
DeleteI have seen some little Chickadees but no little Nuthatches yet. Some baby squirrels. The Bluebirds are busy but I never see the young ones:(
ReplyDeleteOur crows and magpies do remarkably well!!!
DeleteIt is amazing how the parent birds get them out of the nest in such a short time period once the think they are ready to go. I three young robins following each other around in my yard. They did fly down and feed them but they were finding bugs on their own.
ReplyDeleteSometimes it's interesting to watch the young ones beg for food!
DeleteFly away, babies. Be safe.
ReplyDeleteIn reality there is a horrible toll on the young birds.
DeleteNice bird captures. I'm surprised the birds didn't stay so long.
ReplyDeleteThe little guys mature very rapidly.
DeleteSorry you missed them. The same thing happened to me with a woodpecker couple. I watched them working on the nest and eventually bringing food to the babies but never saw the babies. I would love to see them taking those first flights.
ReplyDeleteI saw the whole thing a few years ago when they nested in a tree hole in a tree right at my back step.
DeleteHello, they are both great birds. I am glad the nuthatches stayed with the nest. Wishing you a happy day!
ReplyDeleteIt would have been disappointing if nothing nested.
DeleteGlad to hear the little guys fledged, but sorry you didn't get any pictures, Red. I love nuthatches and chickadees. :-)
ReplyDeleteIn many places here the nuthatches and chickadees will come to your hand if you have seeds.
DeleteOne day they're there, the next they're gone. Ready to fly!
ReplyDeleteIt's just like our own kids. We have them only a very short time.
DeleteThey certainly don't operate on the convenience of a photographer's schedule, do they?
ReplyDeleteThey don't even cooperate with you.
DeleteThey snuck out when you weren't looking. Typical teenagers!
ReplyDeleteNow that you mention it I was the king of sneaking out as a teenager.
DeleteMaybe they will return next year and you will have better luck before all leave home, Red.
ReplyDeleteI would expect something back next year as the stump will stay there.
DeleteAw, it would have been so fun to photograph the little ones.
ReplyDeleteI tried!!!
DeleteThose are some tiny birds. It's been interesting to keep an eye on them.
ReplyDeleteThey provide lots of entertainment.
DeleteI held my breath thinking this was going to be a sad ending! Thankfully, the kids grew up and the family just moved on :) Phew...
ReplyDeleteYes, I've seen enough sad endings.
DeleteYou have so much bird interest in your yard that I am quite envious. I see lots of birds from my garden (yard) but the only birds this year in any number feeding in the garden itself are sparrows. All the others seem to have deserted me.
ReplyDeleteThey fledge in such a sort time. I saw wrens in the morning in a nest on my deck and within hours everyone was on their way. Missed it!
ReplyDeleteThey left fast, I wonder if you will see them in your neighborhood.
ReplyDeleteIt amazing me how quickly little birds go from hatching to leaving the nest. I have a nest in the eves of our log cabin. I can see the female Stellers Jay sitting on the nest. I keep waiting to hear chirping. Who knows mine may have flown the coup too?
ReplyDeleteI'm glad they have all found such a suitable nesting spot. Must have been fun to see all this going on.
ReplyDeleteThose nuthatches sure look similar to the chickadees. You sure are a very knowledgeable birder.
ReplyDeleteI love how they change their minds about a nesting site! Our robins took three shots at it.
ReplyDeleteThese are excellent images dear Red
ReplyDeleteWatching birds preparing nests is such precious experience and I get so involved in it when it happens in my yard
Your birds left early I think
It seems safety and survival is more difficult now days for them either