Weekend Birding: Barn Swallows Leave the Nest
Last week I posted about a nest of Barn Swallows that I was monitoring for Nestwatch. Ten days after I took those photos the little guys were ready to leave the nest.
As I walked toward the pavillion on Thursday, I noticed a little bird perching on the sign at the edge of the marsh. One of the nestlings had just flown from the nest.
The other two little ones were still in the nest. The parents were doing fly-bys in and around the pavillion, swooping and screeching, warning them of my presence.
Last year I watched several of the nestlings fledge and it took the parents a few hours to coax the last ones out of the nest. This time I left and let the parents do their job. When I returned on Friday morning they had all left the nest. I could see the little ones flying around over the marsh.
Saturday Snapshot is hosted by Alyce at At Home With Books. Visit her blog to see more great photos or add your own.
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great job, love it
Wow, ten days? That’s fast. They sure do look ready to leave, though, don’t they?
I wasn’t expecting to see them leave the nest for a few more days. According to Cornell’s All About Birds, they leave after 15 to 27 days, so this would be on the early end. It has been really hot here so I don’t blame them for wanting to get out and fly!
Fantastic pictures! That first one is really breathtaking.
The little guy was so busy looking at his new surroundings that he wasn’t paying attention to me. I was able to get a little closer than usual.
Wonderful pictures. Here is my Snapshot http://goo.gl/ou72V
How exciting!
Wow! Great photos. They grew up so fast. They are starting to look more like adult birds and less like babies. Very cool.
Just think how brave they are to leave the nest! Our goslings are trying hard to fly and we saw one get a little lift the other day but they’re still stuck on the ground for now.
The two still in the nest don’t look real happy about jumping out.
What beautiful photos! And I love the stories about them each week, like a continuing saga of our little feathered friends. Thanks for sharing.
Here’s MY SATURDAY SNAPSHOT POST
Thanks, glad you enjoy them. I was going to post on Mourning Doves this week, but these little guys posed for perfect shots so I felt I had to finish up their story.
What a greta program and love seeing the birds from your first pictures to now.
It’s amazing the short amount of time they are in the nest. We had a nest of cardinals just outside our pool and watched them every day. They day they left the nest and had flying lessons was too cute to watch. Your photos and text is wonderful, as always, Leslie. I’ve learned a lot from your blog. Thank you!
Glad you enjoy the birds. I’m jealous of your cardinal nest! I have had a pair of cardinals at my feeder for years but never a nest in the yard.
Very pretty birds! They grew so fast!
Marvellous photos… esp. the first one. What kind of a camera did you use for that sharp close-up shot? This time for my Sat. Snapshots, I just used my iPhone, since I wasn’t thinking of taking any photos at that time. Thanks for sharing these… I’d like to learn more about bird-watching, so will be visiting your blog often.
The camera is a Canon Rebel (D450) with a 250mm zoom lens. I was able to get close for this shot.
The first day out of the nest is always dangerous for fledglings. They don’t know enough to be afraid of people or predators so I got off about 20 shots before he flew away.
They are absolutely adorable!
only 10 days! nice to see them thru this.
Aw, that’s so sweet and kind of sad that they leave the nest so soon.
Love the close up shots of the birds! It is difficult sometimes to stand back and let nature do its thing…but the time or two that we actually get to witness nature in action helps reinforce that nature really knows what’s best
Very true. The best care a little bird can get is from its parents. When I watched them fledge last year I had to hide and watch from behind a pole. The parents will stay away if people are present.
aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaw!
A D O R A B L E! love these:)
Beautiful pictures as always. How wonderful to share the experience of that day. A dangerous time as you say.