WrightwoodCalif.com Forum
Public Forums => San Gabriel Mtns Flora - Fauna => Topic started by: Wrightwood on Apr 28, 06, 09:00:42 AM
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The Steller's Jay have started nest building this morning.
For a livecam image push the Nature Cam button.
(http://www.wrightwoodcalif.com/rescam.jpg)
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The basic nest foundation is a coiled up spool of wire that sits on top of the house's ridge beam. The wire was originally put there for a video camera and has been left alone since the Steller's seem to think it's their private nest building location.
I would think that it's probably the same pair from previous years.
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After 4 days of nest building the Jay's seem to be done.
Since the camera was already in place we were able to watch the entire process from the first few twigs to completion. The construction process was fascinating.
The perimeter started with some big twigs and the pair of birds would work together to break them. Once the big stuff was in place they started filling in between by tucking or poking in smaller stuff. That included tumbleweed pieces and what looked like dryer sheets (like bounce). When the gaps were mostly filled the birds started bringing in dirt and would spit to make a mud like mixture to line the inside. In between this mud like procedure they would add fine grassy like substance. That was left to dry overnight before the pair lined the inside with a soft pine needles bed.
I should have mentioned that during most stages of nest building the birds would rotate and spin their chests into the bottom of the nest, while pushing their feet against the backside. Almost like swimming in a circle thus creating a new perfect round shaped nest.
Last year we noticed that the two parents stuffed the nest with what appeared to be peanuts before the eggs appeared. They would push the peanuts into the bottom and side of the nest and must be supplies for mom during the long wait. We haven't notice any food storage taking place yet.
Right now mom appears to be getting the nest broke in!
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No wasting time this year - 1 egg already
(http://www.wrightwoodcalif.com/nest/1egg.JPG)
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Looks like they got the nest done just in time!!! I hope some other birdies made good use of the (molting) dog fur I put in our trees a couple of weeks ago...
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2 eggs
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I love this!!! I just watched the cam, Mom adjusted herself, sitting on the eggs. I hope we all get 4 grandbaby birds, like we did last year! I had our whole team at work involved, and we were all so fascinated!
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3 Eggs
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4 eggs!
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Will there be a 5th? We will just have to wait and see!
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Still 4 as of 5:50 am
(http://www.wrightwoodcalif.com/NestCam/4eggs5_7_06.JPG)
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I've been looking and can't find it. ??? Can someone please help me find the thread from the Nature Cam last season? I want to show some special little people how cool the Nature Cam is and what we can expect to see! Thanks!! :)
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I think this is what you were looking for:
http://www.wrightwoodcalif.com/forum/index.php/topic,2643.msg51844.html#msg51844
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Thanks, S_D!! :2thumbsup:
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Still 4 eggs this morning.
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According to last years time frame we should see babies by the end of this week.
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http://www.palmdalecam.com/cam.htm#cam (http://www.palmdalecam.com/cam.htm#cam)
(http://www.palmdalecam.com/gallery/junk/birdnest.jpg)
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With a 16-day incubation period and the first egg being laid on May 3rd, we should start seeing some activity any day now!! :2thumbsup:
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Wow! Who gets to name them when they hatch?
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Last year they were dubbed Eenie, Meenie, Minie and Moe! ;D
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Don't know if my system or not, but the nature cam isn't working. ??? :'(
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Its working! With no problems! ;)
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It is working properly.
Have you tried shutting down your computer? (power off and then reboot)
Next step if that doesn't help is to check and see if you have any popup blockers activated - like in your virus protection program.
The next step would be to update your Java program.
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Two babies showing - maybe a third
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(http://www.wrightwoodcalif.com/birds/5_23_06a.jpg)
(http://www.wrightwoodcalif.com/birds/5_23_06b.jpg)
(http://www.wrightwoodcalif.com/birds/5_23_06c.jpg)
(http://www.wrightwoodcalif.com/birds/5_23_06d.jpg)
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Awwwww - looks as if they want to be fed as soon as they exit the egg! Thanx for the pics - when I looked at the cam all I could see was Mom.....
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Now there's 3 :thumbs:
(http://www.wrightwoodcalif.com/birds/5_23_06e.jpg)
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That's incredible!
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They look so incredibly helpless! But Mom is keeping them warm.... :)
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Now there's 4 babies ;)
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I LOVE this! Thanks so much!! :2thumbsup: :2thumbsup:
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This is so fun! I just love watching these little ones! Thumbs up Wrightwood... oh and happy belated birthday too! :2thumbsup:
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The flicker nest has had full time occupants for the past week and it looks like we will be watching baby woodpeckers soon.
I've been trying to get another livecam image online but have had some issues. Hopefully this weekend!
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Update....
1 egg in the flicker nest
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That is so great!!! Congratulations.Update....
1 egg in the flicker nest
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Here's a webpage that will get you a livecam image
http://www.wrightwoodcalif.com/popFlicker.html
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Baby Steller's Jay:
(http://www.wrightwoodcalif.com/rescam.jpg)
Soon to be Northern Flicker Woodpecker:
(http://www.wrightwoodcalif.com/flicker.jpg)
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The new nature cam view is WONDERFUL!!! Thanks John and GREAT JOB!!!
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Thanks...
Something I've always wanted to do.
After I saw the flicker lay the 1st egg this morning the pressure was on. It was an all day project as it involved two more computers ;)
(I hope I can keep all the cameras & computers working)
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How many computers do you have running everything???
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Right now a minimum of 8 full time computers directly related to running the website (most 24x7). There are other support computers used in our business that double up for website work in addition to those mentioned above.
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ForestGal,
Yes I'm able to figure out who the Paypals come from.
I believe you can also make a remark or comment when you using Paypal.
Thanks for your support and contribution to the forum.
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ForestGal,
Yes I'm able to figure out who the Paypals come from.
I believe you can also make a remark or comment when you using Paypal.
Thanks for your support and contribution to the forum.
:2thumbsup: :2thumbsup: :2thumbsup:
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Everyone needs to check out the new "Nature Cam" site on the banner above. Wrightwood did an awesome job of having four of the cameras up at one time. I know he put a lot of hours into getting it up and running. Also notice that the flicker nest now has two eggs in it. :2thumbsup:
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The Flicker cam now shows 2 eggs :thumbs: :thumbs:
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Mom laying egg this morning
(http://www.wrightwoodcalif.com/birds/FkrEgg2_5_27_06c.JPG)
First glimpse of egg #2
(http://www.wrightwoodcalif.com/birds/FkrEgg2_5_27_06d.JPG)
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The woodpecker eggs must not need much incubating since they go for a VERY long time without mom or dad keeping them warm. In fact, I've never seen either of them, only the eggs.
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The enclosed box type nest has to help a great deal with keeping the wind/breeze off the eggs.
During the first few days after this years Steller's eggs the parents left the nest for the entire night which surprised us.
It is fascinating to compare the differences between the Steller's and the Flicker way of handling the entire process.
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Eggs.--The flicker is notorious as a prolific egg layer, but under ordinary circumstances, when not disturbed, the average set consists of six to eight eggs. Incubated sets of as few as three or four have been found, sets of nine and ten are not very rare, and as many as 17 have been found in a nest at one time; the large numbers may be products of two females. Mr. Burns (1900) records the contents of 169 sets of the northern flicker as 11 sets of four, 16 sets of five, 35 sets of six, 34 sets of seven, 38 sets of eight, 17 sets of nine, 13 sets of ten, 3 sets of twelve, and one each of thirteen and fourteen. Major Bendire (1895) states that Steward Ogilby, of Staten Island, N.Y., reports "finding a brood of not less than nineteen young Flickers in one nest, all alive and apparently in good condition."
The eggs of the flicker are pure lustrous white, with a brilliant gloss; the shell is translucent, and, when fresh, the yolk shows through it, suffusing the egg with a delicate pinkish glow, which is very beautiful.
Patchylou - here's some answers to the question you brought up:
Young.--The period of incubation of the flicker has been said to be from 14 to 16 days. Miss Sherman's (1910) careful observations on marked eggs, laid on known dates, indicate a shorter period. From some former nests she had learned "that sometimes the eggs hatched in nine days, but more frequently in ten days after the laying of the last egg." In these cases, incubation may have begun before the set was complete, or the eggs may have received some heat from the body of the male, for she said that, in at least one case, "while the eggs were being laid, and before incubation began the male roosted in the box with the eggs." According to a later observation, "the exact time for incubation had been twelve days, three hours and fifty-two minutes. The seventh egg hatched four hours later making its period of incubation eleven days and eight hours nearly." After another similar experience with the hatching of nine marked eggs, which extended over a period from 5:40 a.m. one day until 10:48 a.m. the next day, she says: "Roughly speaking, then, the time that our Flickers take for incubation is from eleven to twelve days."
The information above is from this great website about Northern Flickers :
http://home.bluemarble.net/~pqn/ch11-20/flicker.html
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Side Note
The flicker eats more ants than any other North American bird. Its tongue extends almost three inches beyond its beak, which is ideally suited to this purpose.
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I see two eggs...can you say three?
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Mom
(http://www.wrightwoodcalif.com/birds/FemaleNorthernFlicker1.JPG)
Dad
(http://www.wrightwoodcalif.com/birds/MaleNorthernFlicker4.JPG)
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Dad Flicker working on nest. He's removing some pieces of alfalfa that I placed in the nest for bedding material as I didn't have any wood chips at the time.
(http://www.wrightwoodcalif.com/birds/MaleNorthernFlicker2.JPG)
(http://www.wrightwoodcalif.com/birds/MaleNorthernFlicker3.JPG)
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Where's the guzzler???
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I was wondering the same thing... Thought it was just me ::)
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Where's the guzzler???
Per a previous post of Wrightwood's:
The guzzler is located on a private forest area near the Methodist Church Camp and the Heath Creek flood control channel.
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I think they mean that it's missing in action :D
It's going through a cleaning cycle right now.
I take the guzzler and circulate a bleach and water mixture for hours to help remove any bacteria, etc. Then it gets a heavy vinegar and water mixture circulated to help reduce the calcium water deposits that build up.
If I left the guzzler in place while cleaning it wildlife might drink the water and chemicals and that wouldn't be good. It will be back in service tomorrow.
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This is sooo fascinating! I guess I say that every time I post on this thread, but every time, I've just learned something new. I wonder how many flicker babies that we will all become grandparents of (bad grammar, I know), and I really wonder what those infant birds will look like, compared to the jay babies?
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3 eggs now in the flicker nest
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Thanks for all the info John!! WOW, can you imagine if we get to watch 12 - 15 babies hatch!!!! And I agree, Forestgal, I wonder how different the flicker's development will be from the Steller's.
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4 eggs in the flicker nest
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Wow!!! How cool! Flickers are one of my favorite birds. While I've been busy yard-sale-ing and painting, eggs have been layed!
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Make that egg #5 in the flicker nest
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Do I hear half a dozen. :2thumbsup:
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Looks like 1/2 dozen to me!
(http://www.wrightwoodcalif.com/birds/Laying6.JPG)
(http://www.wrightwoodcalif.com/birds/Laying6b.JPG)
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Looks like one of the 6 eggs may be broken
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Now I'm really confused as there appears to be a 7th object in the nest.
Yes on the stellers, one baby is significantly smaller and doesn't look like it will make it.
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[
Yes on the stellers, one baby is significantly smaller and doesn't look like it will make it.
[/quote]
You may be correct about the little one, it was late to hatch and is substantially smaller than the siblings. The little monster seems to have some fight in him / her so let's do a gentleman's bet that says he / she makes it.
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[
Yes on the stellers, one baby is significantly smaller and doesn't look like it will make it.
[/color]
You may be correct about the little one, it was late to hatch and is substantially smaller than the siblings. The little monster seems to have some fight in him / her so let's do a gentleman's bet that says he / she makes it.
[/quote]
I take that back. The little one is really getting squashed.
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The little one was just fed twice so maybe it's still in the running.
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That little guy is breaking my heart. :'(
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Looks like we have a midget! ;D
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Let's all hope that our little "midget" makes it! The little guy sure opens its beak wide, when Mom comes around..... :-\
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And the cutest picture I've seen in a while....
(http://static.flickr.com/74/158362602_bc08fcc3f4_o.jpg)
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Tonight is the first night the baby Steller's Jays have been left alone - no parent!
After reviewing todays flicker activity there are only six eggs in the nest and one might still be cracked but it's hard to tell.
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I hate to be behind the times...but what is the Guzzler Cam? What is that thing it's looking at?
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http://www.wrightwoodcalif.com/forum/index.php/topic,498.0.html (http://www.wrightwoodcalif.com/forum/index.php/topic,498.0.html)
Go there ;)
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Thanks for the info!
:wavey:
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Just saw the runt getting fed!!!! Wooo hooo!!! :2thumbsup: He may be much smaller than the others, but at least he's still growing and starting to get more feathers!
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That little guy sure is holding his own! Maybe he is just a midget!! Wouldn't it be a kick if when fully grown, he's the size of a finch! I just hope his sibs don't end up pushing him out of the nest because they need the space.
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The little runt is holding his own. I notice that some of the larger jay babies are opening their eyes now!
Looking at the flicker nest, it's interesting how Mom keeps moving them. Right now they are in a perfect circle, with 5 outer ones and one in the middle. Last night they were lined up in 2 adjacent rows of 3 each. This is so interesting!
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My wife hatched chicken eggs each year as a class project. The eggs must be turned every so often to prevent the chicks from being born with deformities.
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So, maybe the little runt jay didn't get turned enuf when it hadn't hatched yet, and that is the problem????? I'm wishing so much luck for that tiny bird.......
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uh oh... mama flicker got tired of us all peeking in on her business. ;D
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she sure did! ;D
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Reviewing the recorded portion it looks like Mr Flicker was the one that changed the camera.
I'll get the ladder out a little later this morning and readjust the camera position.
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I'm not seeing runt-jay on the nest cam. Is he under someone or did they push him out?
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I was thinking the same! I was just thinking it was me though :-\
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Junior is still there
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Well, very soon he's most definitely going to be alone. Once the other three take off. I hope mom and pop still continue to nurture him once the others have flown the coop.
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While I was adjusting the Flicker Nest Cam I grabbed a few shots with the small camera.
As soon as I took the ladder away Mr Flicker returned to sit on the eggs.
(http://www.wrightwoodcalif.com/birds/FlickerEggs.JPG)
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Great picture! I think it's neat that Mom and Dad share the egg-sitting duties!
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I think dad has spent more time in the nest than mom.
I wonder if he's lazy and likes the rest or is he actually working hard at this egg sitting project ::)
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I'm sure there are a lot of women who would welcome this much help from their hubbies! ;)
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We have a pair of Stellar Jays building a nest in the lilacs right outside our office window. I hope the construction goes smoothly and the project finishes on time.
It will be fun to watch our own little jays grow up and out of the nest :)
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Junior is still there
Have been watching him/her for awhile and I don't think it is normal for them to sleep on their back. I am thinking the poor little guy has gone to Stellar's Jay heaven. Kinda sad, but Mother Nature has her own plan.
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I just looked at it myself. Sure looks like that is what happened.
He got his wings a little sooner than his siblings..
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Have been watching him/her for awhile and I don't think it is normal for them to sleep on their back.
Dont think so either
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Sure doesn't look good.
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The parents have been to the nest numerous times and continue to feed and clean up the poop but don't seem to be paying any attention the little guy under the stack.
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:'(
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Any news on the little guy?
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It looks like the little guy has passed on... Has mom or dad been coming around?
He is in a better place now no kids on pocket and dirtbikes screwing around! ;D
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The babies seemed to have doubled in size overnight. Any idea what happened to the little guy? Is he still in the nest? Boy, I sure hope not. :'(
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Junior was removed early this morning by one of the parents.
When I get a chance I have some video.
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Ummm, not sure if that's video I'd want to watch.... :'(
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:bigcry:
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Nature at work. Poor baby bird. :'(
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Ummm, not sure if that's video I'd want to watch.... :'(
It's not bad -part of nature at work.
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Here's some video of the babies being feed and the little one being removed.
(4 meg movie file)
http://www.wrightwoodcalif.com/birds/RmoveBaby.wmv
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:'( :'( wah! Bye bye birdie. :'( (http://www.weddingwa.com/forum/icon_smile_crying.gif)
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Do I hear half a dozen. :2thumbsup:
Roughly speaking, then, the time that our Flickers take for incubation is from eleven to twelve days
Based on that we should start seeing baby flickers on the 11th or 12th of June.
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The camera view for the Stellers has been changed. The babies out grew the nest cam and it was difficult to see them as they are so big now.
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Was all 4 cams using up too much bandwith? ::)
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Was all 4 cams using up too much bandwith? ::)
It contributed - used 5 gig of bandwidth in one day.
Some major improvements to our livecam ability will be taking place soon.
Based on last years stellers nest the babies should fledge the nest approximately June 16.
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It contributed - used 5 gig of bandwidth in one day.
Some major improvements to our livecam ability will be taking place soon.]
I'd like to take this opportunity to remind all of you that enjoy the technology so much that this would be a good time to kick down some cash to help defray what surely must be an expensive undertaking. So if you haven't already- make a donation! Even just a few bucks would probably be welcomed.
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The babies sure look like they are getting ready - standing on the edge of the nest, flexing their wings.... :laugh:
Wrightwood, are you going to make a video like you did last year? This has, once again, been so fascinating! :2thumbsup:
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I have the camera ready but it all depends on when they make the plunge 8)
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has one already flown the coop? I can only see two...
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It almost looks like the two left in the nest are watching the one that flew the coop already!
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he was hidin, feeding time and they are all there..... :)
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I keep running out there with a camera and nothing....
There all there but anytime.
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I only see two, did one walk the plank? ;)
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One is down or should I say up.
The 1st guy hopped on the roof of the house, made a flight to the telephone line, flew up higher in a large pine tree while mom and dad tried to coax him/her down.
The other two are still holding tight while mom and dad are getting #1 home
Photos pending.....
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Out on the beam looking up at the roof
(http://www.wrightwoodcalif.com/birds/Fledge06_1.JPG)
(http://www.wrightwoodcalif.com/birds/Fledge06_2.JPG)
On the roof
(http://www.wrightwoodcalif.com/birds/Fledge06_3.JPG)
Hanging on for dear life
(http://www.wrightwoodcalif.com/birds/Fledge06_4.JPG)
Made it!
(http://www.wrightwoodcalif.com/birds/Fledge06_5.JPG)
Reward
(http://www.wrightwoodcalif.com/birds/Fledge06_6b.JPG)
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BRAVO, JOHN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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Thank you for sharing :2thumbsup:
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Well, lookls like 'our job' is done, and everyone has graduated! Good job to John and all. Now I wonder, when the flicker eggs will hatch....
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Thank John, those pictures are SOOOO amazing!!!
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Very cool sequence!!!
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(http://www.wrightwoodcalif.com/birds/Feed06_1.JPG)
(http://www.wrightwoodcalif.com/birds/Feed06_2.JPG)
(http://www.wrightwoodcalif.com/birds/Flex06_1.JPG)
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WOW :2thumbsup:
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Hey did the Stellar's Jays get new digs. ;)
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Yes Bob they are all down and in their brush home.
While I was down the hill this morning the other two made their way down from the nest. Gus grabbed the camera and captured the final moments.
(http://www.wrightwoodcalif.com/birds/Fledge06_10.JPG)
(http://www.wrightwoodcalif.com/birds/Fledge06_11.JPG)
(http://www.wrightwoodcalif.com/birds/Fledge06_12.JPG)
Near the new home:
(http://www.wrightwoodcalif.com/birds/Fledge06_13.JPG)
Mr squirrel decides to get in the act
(http://www.wrightwoodcalif.com/birds/Fledge06_14.JPG)
The Stellers Jay parents were not happy and ran the squirrel off
(http://www.wrightwoodcalif.com/birds/Fledge06_15.JPG)
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Thanks once again, Wrightwood and Gus, for these wonderful pictures and the amazing story of our Stellers Jays! :2thumbsup: I'm still so sad that the one little guy didn't make it, but we have all learned more about nature in our forest through this experience.
Now we can focus on the flicker nest - any thoughts on when those eggs will start to hatch?
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Only see 5 eggs in flicker nest!
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Excellent documentation on the jays, John! Thank you for all your hard work and tireless efforts!
Any speculation on what happened to the other flicker egg?
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Roughly speaking, then, the time that our Flickers take for incubation is from eleven to twelve days
Based on that we should start seeing baby flickers on the 11th or 12th of June.
Is it possible the flicker eggs were not fertilized? We're coming up on double-incubation here.
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It sure seems like a lot longer than we expected.
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Sure looks like a young Robin to me. Great pictures of you nest and young ones.
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At least two of the baby steller's jay reappeared today near the local cherry tree with mom & dad.
(http://www.wrightwoodcalif.com/birds/BabyJfeed2.JPG)
(http://www.wrightwoodcalif.com/birds/BabyJfeed3.JPG)
(http://www.wrightwoodcalif.com/birds/BabyJfeed5.JPG)
(http://www.wrightwoodcalif.com/birds/BabyJfeed6.JPG)
(http://www.wrightwoodcalif.com/birds/BabyJfeed7.JPG)
(http://www.wrightwoodcalif.com/birds/BabyJfeed8.JPG)
(http://www.wrightwoodcalif.com/birds/BabyJfeed9.JPG)
(http://www.wrightwoodcalif.com/birds/BabyJfeed10.JPG)
(http://www.wrightwoodcalif.com/birds/BabyJfeed11.JPG)
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You never cease to amaze!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Excellent work!!!
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Great Photos of the jays!!
At first I thought Moose's babies were Grosbeaks, but now that I looked it up, they are Robins!!! How cool! The blue eggs were a give-a-way, too.
Thank you both for sharing!
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WW those shots are AMAZING!!!!! The clarity and the capture of the wings is fabulous!
So the momma is still sitting on those eggs..... Do you think they are not going to hatch? Poor thing, she just keeps waiting.... Will she give up?
So sad this year, losing the baby jay and now this....
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Okay, who is going to break the bad news to the flicker parents that it does not look good for this clutch? It is long past the 11-14 days that the incubation normally takes. I wonder if they were inexperienced parents, who didn't sit on the eggs enough.
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You've got to give them credit for trying.
I spent some time looking for information on bird eggs and fertility and here's what I came up with:
http://www.newton.dep.anl.gov/askasci/zoo00/zoo00308.htm
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So, wouldn't these eggs be rotten and smelling by now if they were not fertilized ???
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If they ever abandon the nest and eggs I'll be checking it out.
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They still seem to be sitting on the eggs still... But Its been way to long and I don't think there is any hope left for the eggs. I wonder what went wrong :-\
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I think the flickers finally got ticked off about their eggs and took it out on your camera. ;D
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But I calmed them down and adjusted the camera.
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But I calmed them down and adjusted the camera.
Did you notice any bad odors coming from the nest?
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I put a clothespin over my nose ;)
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I wonder if they were inexperienced parents, who didn't sit on the eggs enough.
I wouldn't consider them inexperienced on egg sitting ::)
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How many of the little Jays are still alive. Those pictures are high quality. Thanks
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There were at least 2 of the 3 baby steller's jays near the cherry tree that day. There was so much bird and squirrel action going on near the cherry tree it was hard to tell if the third baby was present or not.
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OK, we're on day 34 of a n 11-12 day incubation. Does anyone know how much longer these flickers will sit there? It is just breaking my heart to see them sit and sit and sit.....
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At least mom & dad flicker are spending less time banging on the metal fireplace stack. :thumbs:
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Shouldn't someone go take those eggs?
???
This poor bird has been sitting there all day... Won't she just think an animal got them and move on? It has to be a trauma for her just sitting there. She keeps looking at them.... It is truly heartbreaking....
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Mama &/or Daddy are gone right now...did they give up, or do they usually take a break about now?
BTW, love the new view of the guzzler. Thanks Wrightwood!
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one is back on the eggs
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Shouldn't someone go take those eggs?
???
This poor bird has been sitting there all day... Won't she just think an animal got them and move on? It has to be a trauma for her just sitting there. She keeps looking at them.... It is truly heartbreaking....
Why would you want to interfere with mother nature ?
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The first egg was in the nest on May 26.
The last egg was May 31.
That makes it 31 days since the last egg.
Here's what the eggs look like on June 25:
(http://www.wrightwoodcalif.com/birds/FlickerEggs6_25.JPG)
Here's what they looked like on June 4:
(http://www.wrightwoodcalif.com/birds/FlickerEggs.JPG)
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What would nature do if man wasn't here to interfere ??? ??? Probably much better. Maybe this a chance to learn what mama will do ,if anything. Nature is sooo natural.
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Thank you for caring enough to go to the trouble of making these incredible real life dramas available to us all. Remarkable photos and story! ;D
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I truly think the eggs should be removed when she is gone.
This poor bird sits in the heat in this man made nest all day.
If her nest was outside and built by her, the eggs probably would have been eaten by other critters as they are rotting.
If I knew where this was and had permission I would remove the eggs so this bird can go on with her life.
What do the rest of you think?
She is spending time sitting on these eggs when she should be out in the world.
It breaks my heart.
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I agree .I didn't think of the man made issue . I'm a major animal lover myself and sometimes have to realize they are sometimes so much wiser than people.
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Boy, I am surprised that people who say they are so much into nature, would advocate interfering with plans that nature already has. Nature is not always pretty and we may not understand why certain things happen in nature, but usually when we have good intentions to try and change the course of natural events, we wind up screwing things up. The flicker nest that you see is a hollowed out log that was customized by the flicker pair. It is outside hanging on a tree and if critters wanted to come take those eggs, nothing would stop them, except the flickers themselves. How is this nest different than the flickers making their home in any other hollowed out tree that is in the forest? Besides having a camera, so that we could watch nature do its thing, there really is no difference. Birds are pretty creative when it comes to where they build their nests and if this nest did not fill their needs, they would not have customized it and laid their eggs. There is something innate in why they are still sitting on those eggs, sad as it may be, but they will decide when it is time to abandon them and get on with their lives. Why would we want it any other way?
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BostonBob I couldn't agree with you more.
So called nature lovers asking to have eggs removed from a nesting location picked by a pair of northern flickers is outrageous.
All North American woodpeckers are primarily cavity nesters that excavate their own cavities, but some species occasionally use existing cavities or nest boxes. Woodpeckers need dead or dying trees, (also known as snags), to excavate their nesting cavities. With the growth of communities, the availability of snags has decreased significantly and challenges the woodpeckers to find suitable alternatives. Remember all the dead and dying trees are being removed from the community of Wrightwood during the past few years.
Take a good look at the pictures they posted on this website and see the fabulous job they did on creating a natural and safe nest box for woodpeckers. It looks like a tree because it's made from a tree and they've showed plenty of other birds in the nest so natural predators can get to the eggs. Maybe the flickers are protecting the eggs and won't allow predators to get to them yet you want a human to go and remove the eggs so the flickers can move on with their lives.
Woodpeckers are classified as migratory nongame birds and are protected by the Federal Migratory Bird Treaty Act. A federal permit is required before any lethal control methods are employed. Penalties and fines are assessed to violators.
Why would nature lovers want to remove eggs from a federally protected bird?
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Opinions vary don't they?
I have not put down any of yours and I have not insulted you or said you were a so called antything!
I resent the comments that I am a so called nature lover. Who are any of you to judge me? Please don't even go there.
I spoke my opinions and I don't like seeing an animal suffer. This bird evidently does not know her babies are dead (as they evidently are based on the known hatching facts presented on this thread).
Do you think it's good for a bird to spend her whole day sitting in a hot box? I don't.
Sometimes we need to step in when we are aware that something is not right, like the infant squirrel that Surfer Dude brought to me. He is living and healthy. I guess I should have not interfered and let the cat that was trying to kill him go ahead and do it?
Maybe the cam can be pointed somewhere else?
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Perhaps you can just avoid that thread until the birds decide that it's time to lay some new eggs. It will be less stressful. That's what I plan on doing until we get some new eggs and baby birds to watch.
Thanks again for the opportunity to see nature "up close and personal" and without interference.
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Exhausted ForestGal does have a point!
Im gonna get yelled at for this!
Any one want scrambled eggs? ;D
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over easy please. Some people can be so judgemental ,vain, and just plain snobs . >:( >:(
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I have a feeling that Wrightwood just bought some eggs from Henry's, placed them there neatly, and is pulling a fast one on us and the birds. Is he a sick puppy or what? Let the birds fly Wrightwood, & let us have the scrambled eggs!!!!!!!
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As this is a man made nest, I actually would not be interfering. If the nest was in a tree or outside I truly believe that other critters would have already eaten the dead eggs.
The nest box was hollowed out by man but the nest was fashioned by birds so the nest is not man made.
Some people can be so judgemental ,vain, and just plain snobs
Why the name calling Bud? Does calling someone a snob makes it OK to remove eggs from a federally protected birds nest.
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So called nature lovers is not name calling ??? The rest is self explanitory. Just because someone disagrees with you doesn't make them wrong. I don't care but I do believe you two owe Angelwolf a big sincere apology
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Well, she/he just finished moving and turning the eggs, and has settled down for another day of hopeless incubatin'. This is the forst time I have seent he care she/he takes withthe eggs, and it just makes me so sad. All this TLC and it will go nowhere...
Hopefully next season these parents will have better luck.
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She's finally out of the nest getting some air....... Poor precious thing.....
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It is the male currently tending to the eggs and has been most of the time. The eggs have been turned frequently since the beginning and the parents leave the nest regularly to eat at a nearby suet feeder. I should also note that the parents aggressively defend the area near the nest box and when they see others at the suet they run them off.
The parents are in charge while they continue to occupy this nest box just as the Steller's were in charge when the little one died in their nest.
Due to the comments posted about removing the eggs I did check with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service website and found a couple of important postings.
The first one:
"The issue you raise, regarding the legality of removing nesting material from nest boxes - or other locations - does merit clarification from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. In general, inactive nests may be legally destroyed, while active nests may not.
It is against the law to remove nests or eggs of birds other than sparrows or starlings. Monitors need to be positive of bird and egg identification before taking action to remove them.
The second one:
US Fish and Wildlife Service
http://library.fws.gov/Bird_Publications/prob.html
The federal and state laws that protect wild birds also protect their nests and eggs. You must have a federal permit to disturb the adults, nests or eggs.
The most effective way to eliminate these problems is to discourage the bird before the nest is built by offering an alternative artificial "nest" nearby, but out of your way. If that doesn't work, contact a federal or state agent for advice. Resist the temptation to destroy the nest or harass the adults.
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Thanks WW for the clarification, it is a bit vague though, it does not say anything about dead eggs...
I appreciate you looking into it.
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It is sad by human standards,however, nature has been dealing with these kinds of situations for a very long time.
We should just watch and see how nature resolves the problem.
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Wrightwood-perhaps you could put a watercooled evaporation system on the nest box to keep the birds cool. (If they are still sitting there in the winter, you could rig a water heating system)
Maybe these two birds are just practising for the real event that will take place next month?
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Thanks WW for the clarification, it is a bit vague though, it does not say anything about dead eggs...
I appreciate you looking into it.
I think it's clear that this is considered an active nest. Until the parents abandon the nest box the eggs or nest can't be touched.
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After 42 days of sitting on the eggs the flicker parents appear to have given up.
This morning at 7:30 the male flicker left the nest and neither of the potential parents have returned since.
Playing back video I noticed some bug activity near the eggs.
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I guess I won't open my office window in the morning as it's only 15 feet from the opening :sweatdrop:
Seriously... I'll check on the eggs tomorrow if the parents do not occupy the nest.
In the future the nest will be cleaned (with bleach as directed) and placed back in service. We will monitor activity and keep everyone informed if a new family moves in since so many birds tried for the spot in spring.
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Just curious - how would you get the bleach smell outta there so that other birds will be attracted to the nest box?
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Does anyone know what predartors the blue jays may have?
Our nesting blue jays are all gone. The four baby birds were only about 2 weeks old. They are all gone. No sign of the babies on the ground. Very sad....
A couple of years ago I spotted an owl in our neighborhood. Is it possible an owl would prey upon the baby birds..... ???
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When we had a nest near our house, I watched a raven swoop down and pluck a youngster from the nest.
I am sure if an owl had access to a baby jay, they would certainly take advantage of an easy snack.
If they fall out, they are fair game for any critter wandering by.
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Outside cats are a huge problem for the bird population in Wrightwood.
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Yeeup.
I keep chasing loose cats away from my deck, where I have a lot of bird feeders. (A hose works well.)
It's a pain.
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Is there not a Steller's Jay nest for the cam this year?
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We currently have three nest cams we are watching and there has been no permanent activity in any of them.
Steller's nest cam - the pair have been in and out of the nest a few times in the past week but construction has not started.
In the Acorn Woodpecker nest there was some extreme hanky panky going on this past week, a few different times so it's possible we could have something soon in that nest.
The Flicker Nest has not seen much activity for the past few weeks so that one I'm not sure about.
My gut feeling is that the local wildlife mating is all out of wack due to the screwy weather we've had this past 6 months.