My Violet-Green Swallow babies all filed out of the nest one after the other this morning, right on schedule.
Today is day 25 and that is the average time it takes to fledge.
They did everything right on schedule!
After a couple of hours out of the nest one flew back in the nest box and they all spent time on the garage roof. Mom and Dad are as busy as ever keeping track of them and taking care.
Here's a short video of one in the box and one on the roof.
They are a little clumsy landing,
but considering they just started flying a couple of hours ago it's absolutely amazing how well they do!
These little ones are not so little any more and in just a few days they will begin to fledge the nest!
There's almost always a baby looking out of the nest waiting for a meal from Mom or Dad!
Since the babies are spending lots of time with their heads poking out of the nest box I though I'd catch some shots of them being fed. Above is mom about to take off after leaving behind a bug breakfast for one of the babies.
Here's dad dropping off some goodies and showing off his beautiful Violet behind!
Dad, shortly after take off!
Feeding in progress!
One more!
Here's mom perching on the light fixture right by the nest, with one of the babies watching.
This light fixture was used 2 years in a row by Juncos but unfortunately the nests were raided. That's when I decided to put up a nest box right next door and the VG's have used it 2 years in a row.
I'm guessing I'll only have 1 or 2 more blog posts to share before they are gone.
Maybe the little ones will hang around and I'll be able to get some pics of the babies after they fledge.
These little babies didn't mess around, last night there was no *Pipping going on that I could see. All the eggs looked fully intact. This morning, we have babies!
Than moments later I was lucky enough to catch mom feeding.
What a wonderful adventure and I'm so excited to share it with you!
Check back often, I'm going to attempt to have something to share everyday so we can all watch the progress as these babies grow every day!
*pip4
pip/
verb
gerund or present participle:pipping
(of a young bird) crack (the shell of the egg) when hatching.
