Feathers and Fuzz

one woman's cure for the empty-nester blues

Eastern Phoebe

Georgia Nesting Season 2018 Kickoff

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The 2018 Nesting Season Kicks Off:  Keep Those Garage Doors Closed!

Our cold temps slowed down nesting season this year, but now the birds are busy constructing.  Three nests are underway.  The season began with the annual territory battle between the Wrens and the Phoebes.  With a tad of human intervention, the Phoebes claimed "Phoebe Place".

The Wrens merrily hopped on ... now actively-furnishing a bamboo box perfectly suited for these creative homeowners.

Nesting Season 2018: Phoebe vs Wren
Nesting Season 2018: Wren in the Box

The Bluebirds have been in and out of all 5 Bluebird boxes on the property.  They are not only investigating potential nest sites, but also monitoring for the presence of other Bluebirds in the territory.  It appears they have settled on "Bluebird North" -- their home for the past several years.  I was hoping they'd opt for the newest house (Garden Bluebird) -- with its afternoon shade, but not this round.  Off I go to construct a more efficient birdhouse sun screen.

Male Bluebird Checks out Birdhouse
Male Bluebird Checks out the Garden Bluebird House

Another Sign of Spring

The first shipment of live mealworms has arrived.  The Bluebirds caught sight of them immediately.  I hope the Hermit Thrush stays long enough to savor a bit of southern hospitality before returning home to Vermont with only trashy things to chirp about Georgia winters.

And Then There's This ...

I remember, in years gone by, telling a senior manager that I am not a fan of Boston (traffic terror!).  His response stays with me these decades later:  "That is a flaw in your otherwise impeccable personality."  (Note to self:  Learn about regional accents!)  The point of this story is ... I've since added a number of flaws to my personality.  I include among these additions, the obsession with protecting the nests on the property.  When nesting begins, I used to toss and turn at night -- checking the cameras at each toss.

One simple change fixed that -- I promised myself not to check the cameras at night.  It's not that hard to keep the promise -- it turns out this "mother's" love has limits.  I conjured up an image of a snake in a birdhouse and attached that image to the knowledge I would feel compelled to head out in the dark to do battle.  All cured!!

Nesting Challenges: Nestling Maiden Flight

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If we look at nesting challenges from the perspective of the nestlings, the greatest challenge of all has to be taking that first leap of faith — out the door into mid-air.  The nestlings spend days exercising their wings before that first flight — flapping like crazy inside the birdhouse.  Still, from their perspective, they face the human-equivalent of a 25-floor jump.

As I said in my last post, I am totally immersed in the experience on fledging day.  Up-and-down they go to the doorway.  I cheer them on.  At times, I am ready to head outside and push them out the door myself!  At other times, it’s clear there is a hawk in the area and I pray they will heed their parents warning and hunker down inside the house.  My emotions follow each trip to the doorway — up-and-down.

I realize, of course, birds have been reproducing successfully without my support for eons.  Yet, when they choose to nest in a structure I provide, I feel responsible for their safety.  There is a special joy I feel in watching this post’s video.  Each maiden flight is like watching your child graduate.  Lots of factors went into their success, but you just can’t help feel like you, too, did something right.