Tuesday, June 11, 2013

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.

23 comments:

Diane AZ said...

Great pictures, the fledglings are really cute!

Sylvia K said...

What wonderful captures, Martha!! I love those little birds with their mouths wide open!! Terrific!!

Gordon said...

Nice shots, they certainly intend to be fed,
Gordon.

sunshine said...

Great photos, a party of birds.

HansHB said...

Lovely serie of photos, nice to study the details!

LOLfromPasa said...

Well you certainly have a bird's eye view of this lovely family. Wonderful shots.

Unknown said...

Great sequence!! Boom & Gary of the Vermilon River, Canada.

mick said...

A great series. Fantastic to catch all those young birds vying for attention.

eileeninmd said...

Cute series, one of your swallows looks very mouthy! Thanks for sharing, great photos.

Judy said...

That must have been a great thing to see!! Hope the second brood does as well!!!
I wonder how the parents keep track of whose turn it is...

Karen said...

Delightful captures! They are soooo cute!

Gaelyn said...

Such a great, and noisy, show.

Jan n Jer said...

Wow great captures.

Irma said...

Beautiful pictures, I love them.
Wonderful to see the swallow how the food.
Regards, Irma

Unknown said...

Fabulous shots! They certainly let their parents know they're hungry!

Janie said...

Great photos! The babies are certainly demanding, keeping the parents hard at work.

Hootin Anni said...

I love 'em all...but the 2nd one from the top is extraordinary.

JoAnn ( Scene Through My Eyes) said...

Stunning photos - the color are fabulous!

Katney said...

How wonderful to be able to watch.

We are doing a "shake down cruise" to a nearby campground with the "tiny trailer" today--since we have not been able to camp in the last two seasons we need to make sure we remember everything before actual trips.

Buttons Thoughts said...

I love your amazing photos and story. We have the same activity going on here,I love those two kinds of birds. Your photos capture it perfectly. B

Neil said...

Beautiful series.

Sallie (FullTime-Life) said...

Oh Martha that was worth staying home for! What wonderful pictures...the one with the open beak is priceless.

Kay said...

Good gracious! These photos are incredible!