Fledgling Tree Swallows

We have a nesting box for Bluebirds and Tree Swallows.  Each year it is put to use by one or both species. 

But though I enjoy watching the parents come and go, feeding their young, I have never been around when the nestlings fledged.

This year was different.  The young were almost out of the box and I had no plans to be away so I watched.

Finally, a few mornings latter there was a fledgling swallow on top of the box, singing for his breakfast.

Then another flew from a nearby perch and joined him while a third called from the box, all still expecting to be fed.

Still being fed by the parent birds and still irate if the other gets fed.

The parents seemed not to play favorites, feeding each in turn.

The next day, all were gone but the box did not stay empty for long.  Another pair are now nesting.  Now that the weather has turned hot, I am wondering if they will be as successful as the first pair.

To find more birds, visit Wild Bird Wednesday, hosted for us by Stewart.