The old oak tree by the fence is home to an unseen singer whose gentle song I can hear. I pay no attention to the trees, but rather to the nest box I have been watching since I started birding in my backyard. First flights are special, but to see the first flights of baby birds you really need to have some patience and be here at the right time. warm mug of coffee wooden nest box
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Check PriceThe best method I have come up with is something I call the \\”Tuesday-Morning Trick\\”. Kids, lawnmowers, and other noisy activities keep the yard from being quiet on any day but Tuesday. That is a great time for the nestling to finally make its first move outside the nest.
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The Timeline: When to Start Watching
Because bluebirds develop quickly, you need to be able to calculate some time periods to use this technique properly. This calendar should help you gauge when to begin.
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| Days Since Hatching | Developmental Stage |
|---|---|
| Days 1 to 7 | Nestlings are blind and naked. You might hear soft peeping. |
| Days 8 to 13 | Feathers develop and eyes open. The parents are constantly feeding them. |
| Days 14 to 15 | Nestlings grow restless. They begin peeking out of the hole. |
| Days 16 to 21 | The fledging window. This is the time to start your morning observations. |
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Check PriceSigns of the First Flight
To know when the time is right, you have to know what to look for, and the nest is the best place to be.
- Parents coaxing from afar: Adult bluebirds will stop bringing insects directly into the hole. Instead, they will sit on a nearby branch with a juicy caterpillar and call to the babies.
- The peekaboo phase: You will see a speckled little head constantly popping into the entrance hole and looking around the yard.
- Wing stretching: The babies will lean out and flutter their wings against the edge of the hole to build muscle strength.
- Loud begging calls: The nest box will sound incredibly busy as the hungry, restless babies demand food from their parents.
Executing the Tuesday-Morning Trick
The Wednesday after the event was supposed to begin is the time to do it. You at least need to be more than fifty feet away, and binoculars will help. Just make sure to enjoy it.
A reduced number of humans gives the birds the confidence they need. The parents will beg from a nearby tree. Eventually, one intrepid nestling will climb up to the hole, peer over the still yard, and hurl itself towards the parents. It is an ungraceful yet entrancing flight.
Humane Observation Rules
We must always put the safety of the birds first. Never open a bluebird box after the nestlings are twelve days old. Opening the box late in their development can startle them and cause them to jump out before they can fly. This is called premature fledging, and it is very dangerous for them. Keep your distance and let nature take its course.
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Check PriceThe Magic of the First Flight
It is a great joy to see a site speckled baby bluebird awkwardly flutter to a nearby branch. It requires a small amount of planning and a whole lot of stillness. The Tuesday-Morning Trick teaches us to appreciate the calm times in our own backyards.
