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| Charles River Peninsula, Needham, MA after July mow. |
Suddenly summer is almost over. By next week all the boxes at CRP will be empty of nestlings. Then it will be the clean-up and long wait for next year.
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| Eastern Bluebird nestlings, Charles River Peninsula, July 9 |
The second bluebird nest is moving along quickly.
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| Eastern Bluebird nestlings, Charles River Peninsula, July 15 |
Today my first legitimate bluebird dive bomb. It was so bluebird--an elegant swoop from an upper tree branch towards my head. I get it, bluebird. It has been a lot of work to keep these chicks alive.
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| Tree Swallow fledgling, Box 19 |
Meanwhile the tree swallows are all fledged or on the verge of fledging.
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| Tree Swallows, Box 11 |
I imagine the parents will be mighty relieved when these hungry mouths can fend for themselves.
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| Tree Swallow, Box 19 |
Some of the tree swallow families can be seen zooming around the peninsula. Some seem to have already moved on to staging areas.
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| Downy Woodpecker |
See you next year, bluebirds et al. And yes, downy woodpecker, it's safe to explore these boxes now.
