Still Under Parents Care
31 August - I stopped by to check on the fledgling and spent some time watching the activity around the nest territory. The fledgling is staying in that area so far and the parents are still feeding and protecting it. I also noticed one of the parents went back into the nest cavity twice during my observation. I learned they do this to continue laying claim to it.
I stopped by the other nest on my way out and that nest is still active. It/they have not yet fledged (last picture).
Observation - 3hrs, 10min
Partly Cloudy 71F NNE winds 16mph
1 September - I stopped by to observe the family and to my surprise I saw a second juvenile in the nest territory. I suspect this is the sibling from the last clutch. It was begging for food from the parents a couple of times. I can’t be sure if the parents fed it. They did feed a juvenile, but I suspect it was the younger one. While the younger one was in the nest the parents would chase off any adult or juvenile red heads that came into the territory.
I also checked on the other nest on the way out. It is still active and I did see the nestling. It is so far away I could barely get a picture of it.
Observation - 3hrs, 30min
Clear 75F NE winds 8mph
2 September - Again I stopped by both nests, it’s 5 days after fledging and the parents are still feeding the fledgling in the nest territory. I noticed the nestling in the second nest is sticking its head farther out of the cavity.
Observation - 50min
Clear 71F SSW winds 6mph
3 September - Day 6 after fledging and they are still in the nest territory. At one point I saw what I assume to be, the last clutch sibling. It came in and tried to get fed, but the parent did not feed it and it flew off.
The second nest is still active, it has not yet fledged.
Observation - 3hrs, 30min
Clear 76F WSW winds 5mph
Juvenile getting fed.
4 September - Day 7 after fledging and they are still in the area but the area is expanding out from the immediate nest site (as was the case yesterday). It took me a while to locate them. It appears both juveniles are there and the parents are still feeding.
The second nest is still active. Both yesterday and today I never saw the nestling at the opening but I did see a parent go to the cavity to feed.
Observation - 1hr, 30min
Cloudy 88F WNW winds 8mph
5 September - 8 days since fledgling and the juvenile with parents are still in the territory. I spotted them within a couple of minutes this morning.
The second nest - The nestling is now perched at the opening of the cavity. I expect it to fledge in the next day or two. As you can see from the picture below with the arrow, I am shooting the pictures of the second nest from a long distance away, hence the poor quality.
Observation - 20min
Partly Cloudy 83F NNW winds 8mph
6 & 7 September - No change for either family. When I was looking for the family with the juveniles I learned there was going to be an outside wedding in the territory. They might decide to leave the area.
Observation - 25min
8 September - I’m not sure if it was the wedding that did it, but the family did move from the immediate nest territory. I found the parents and both juveniles at the woodpecker nursery (as I call it).
The nestling still has not fledged.
10 September - I wasn’t able to stop by yesterday, I went to PA to see the rare American Flamingos. I didn’t expect to find the families today, but I did. Nothing has changed. It rained last night and this morning so they are drying off their wings.
Observation - 40min
