Last month my husband and I had the thrill of watching (via our birdcam) four Bewick’s Wrens
develop and fledge. June 23rd between 7 and 7:30pm, the four fledglings jumped from the
box, still unable to fly, were escorted by their doting parents to the nearest Doug Fir tree. There
they climbed up the tree and were tucked into small holes made by Northern Flicker’s. Safe for
the night. The next morning they will be taken to the brushiest part of the yard where they will
remain invisible from my eyes for a couple of weeks. They are fed by their parents and learn to
fly during that time. I have seen this process repeated several times in my yard over the years,
and have never read or heard about fledglings being tucked in a hole just the size for one little
wren. Also, it is common to see fledglings leave the confines of their warm cozy nest just at
dusk.
Sue Stewart and I surveyed the Luther Burbank Park wetlands this month. The Red-winged
Blackbirds have fledged and were not seen. Violet-green Swallows swooped overhead, Yellow
Warblers sang their “sweet sweet sweet, I’m so sweet”, and the Bald Eagle flew by chased by
crows. The north pond is still higher then normal—getting out to our hydrology point tests the
tops of our Wellington boots. Usually by now, the ground is relatively dry. Lots of deer scat were
seen. Sue and I had the pleasure of observing a flock (14) Bushtits bathing, then drying out in
the bushes above the puddle.
My own backyard is host to the new Black-capped Chickadees. Parents bring their young to the
seed tray where they learn the art of cracking open the black oil sunflower seed. They are also
shown the best bathing spot in the watercourse. I set up my camera and wait.
American Robin
develop and fledge. June 23rd between 7 and 7:30pm, the four fledglings jumped from the
box, still unable to fly, were escorted by their doting parents to the nearest Doug Fir tree. There
they climbed up the tree and were tucked into small holes made by Northern Flicker’s. Safe for
the night. The next morning they will be taken to the brushiest part of the yard where they will
remain invisible from my eyes for a couple of weeks. They are fed by their parents and learn to
fly during that time. I have seen this process repeated several times in my yard over the years,
and have never read or heard about fledglings being tucked in a hole just the size for one little
wren. Also, it is common to see fledglings leave the confines of their warm cozy nest just at
dusk.
Sue Stewart and I surveyed the Luther Burbank Park wetlands this month. The Red-winged
Blackbirds have fledged and were not seen. Violet-green Swallows swooped overhead, Yellow
Warblers sang their “sweet sweet sweet, I’m so sweet”, and the Bald Eagle flew by chased by
crows. The north pond is still higher then normal—getting out to our hydrology point tests the
tops of our Wellington boots. Usually by now, the ground is relatively dry. Lots of deer scat were
seen. Sue and I had the pleasure of observing a flock (14) Bushtits bathing, then drying out in
the bushes above the puddle.
My own backyard is host to the new Black-capped Chickadees. Parents bring their young to the
seed tray where they learn the art of cracking open the black oil sunflower seed. They are also
shown the best bathing spot in the watercourse. I set up my camera and wait.
American Robin
