Feathers and Fuzz

one woman's cure for the empty-nester blues

Wild Bird Egg Hatch Countdown 2018

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The 2018 Egg Hatch Countdown has begun.  Five nests (on camera) cradle a total of 25 eggs.  The lineup is shown below with the Chickadee having surprised by revealing SIX eggs.  The rural Bluebird pair has four.  

I expect the first hatch as early as Monday, April 9.  I provided estimated hatch dates for all nests.  The Chickadee date is a total guess as one just doesn't know the lay date.  

As you will see, this will go by fast!  Six or so posts from now -- these nests will be empty.  I can't wait to share with you their stories.

Bluebird N

Bluebird N Mom 2018

Phoebe

Phoebe Mom 2018

Wren

Wren Mom 2018

Bluebird S

Bluebird S Mom 2018

Chickadee

Chickadee Mom 2018
Bluebird N Eggs 2018
Phoebe Eggs 2018
Wren Eggs 2018
Bluebird S Eggs 2018
Chickadee Eggs 2018

April 9

April 10

April 12

April 18

April 20

Not to be left behind, the Flying Squirrel triplets are climbing the walls.  They appear quite mature so I expect they'll be out of their nest soon.  It usually doesn't take them long to start exploring outside the box once they are mobile.  Inevitably, this leads to Momma Flyer relocating them.

2018 Flyers Climbing Walls

Feeding the Flock

Now to keep everyone stocked in mealworms.  The post's feature video reminds us that the love of mealworms is not limited to the five nests I've talked about here.  I've even noted our little Napoleon has discovered the worms.  This should be interesting.  Once the eggs crack open, it will be worm mayhem!!

Chickadee Nest Premium Bedding

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When it comes to a Carolina Chickadee nest, Chickadee nestlings get premium bedding.  The nest is built with a deep layer of soft moss, topped with grasses.  As time goes on, Momma Chickadee adds piles of cotton-looking material to the nest cup.  I have to say, as far as bird nests go, it looks pretty inviting!

Chickadee - Premium Bedding
Bumble Bee in Chickadee Nest

Unfortunately, I am not the only one who feels that way.  As we saw in a prior post, when Momma Chickadee did battle with a Bumble Bee in 2017, Bumble Bees also find the Chickadee nest attractive.  The Bumble Bee was back this week -- rooting around through the grass and cotton.  A confrontation has been avoided, so far, but the spring is young.  

The Bumble Bee was not my only "Oh, no!" moment these past few days.  Spring has also brought some heavy rains, and when I logged into the cameras the morning of 25 March, the glistening of water piling up in the Chickadee nest cup was distinct.  Off I went to blot the nest cup dry, then tie a plastic bag over the roof.  I watched to make sure Momma would return.  She did.  Once things dried out, silicone caulk replaced the bag.  More watching -- to make sure no birds got stuck in the drying-silicone.  They didn't.

Water in Chickadee Nest
Temp Leak Repair

Chickadee Nest Feature Video

The feature video shows us one more advantage to "premium bedding".  Chickadees like to cover their eggs before leaving the nest and having fluffs of material to kick around makes the covering easier.  (In the photos in this post, the eggs are there -- how many eggs, we don't know yet.)