May 11, 2012 in In the Nest Box
Feeding time again for chicks! They continue to be regularly fed by both parents. The unhatched eggs remain undisturbed in the gravel lined nestbox. They are now getting big enough and ready for leg banding to take place.
May 9, 2012 in Nearby Landbirds
Nothern Flickers are relatively large memebrs of the Woodpecker family. They typically spend more time feeding on the ground than other woodpeckers. Flickers enjoy ants as well as other insects. The Flicker nest in tree cavities. Male and female take turns incubating the eggs and alternating at intervals during the day. Flickers usuallyhave about 6-8 eggs in a normal breeding cycle. The male Flicker has a black mustache and this female lacks the black mustache. Stay tuned for chicks to hopefully arrive shortly!
May 8, 2012 in In the Nest Box
This was a fascinating moment to watch. The parents were exchanging food with one another and then with the chicks. The chicks continue to huddle with each other. they have been doing so close to the unhatched eggs but with less regularity. The nest box is starting to get a bit messier.
May 7, 2012 in Nearby Waterbirds
This Black-crowned Night Heron has been perching on branches just above water level on the west side of the Bashara Boathouse. This is a juvenile Night Heron based on its plumage and coloration. It takes 3 years for the Black-Crowned Night Heron to reach full maturity. A juvenile has yellow-orange eyes, yellow-green legs and a dark brown plumage with cream colored spots and streaks. Its belly is streaked brown and white. Immature herons are mostly brown overall with a darker head. The second year brings plumage more like the adult plumage; it will be browner with a dark cap and back and brown wings and neck.
May 6, 2012 in In the Nest Box
The two chicks continue to be actively fed by both the female and the male. The checiks have regular feeding sessions with the feeding parent tearing apart food and presenting to both chicks. The two unhatched eggs continue in the nest but receive lass and less attention. The chicks are getting bigger each day! In this image, the parent is cleaning up the nest box and discarding accumulated debris.
May 6, 2012 in Nearby Waterbirds
Encountered a pair of Wood Ducks around the Bashara Boathouse on the Merrimack River Monday morning and again later in the week. They seem to like the back channel on the west side of the boathouse as well as paddling around with the other ducks out by the main docks. These ducks are exceptionally colorful and quite beautiful. More photos posted online for those with an interest:
http://www.pbase.com/birdshots/image/143073883
Enjoy!
May 2, 2012 in In the Nest Box
The Peregrines have now had two eggs hatch and two eggs remaining to hatch. The male and female have been very busy feeding the chicks. The chicks have been eager to receive all food that has been offered. The male and female have been brooding both the chicks and the eggs nonstop over the last week. It is exceptional to watch the care for the chicks and the feeding process!
