MORE KESTRELS FLY THE COOP!

Eurasian Kestrel, Muttenz, Switzerland - It all started around the 28th of June - the young kestrels could be seen peering over the edge.

Oops...looks like this one knows something! ;)

Then the ledge acrobatics started.

This is a great shot showing the differences in the chicks. You can see that a couple of them have more fluffy down than feathers. These birds would be the youngest in the clutch.

By June 20th, the nest was down to 4 chicks, with yet another brave one venturing out on the ledge.

You can see that the wings are nicely developed.

More acrobatics!

The chicks are getting quite restless and can be seen running around the nest box and flapping their wings.


July 1st and there are only 3 chicks left.



By July 3rd, there are only 2 chicks left. Remember how the youngest was still fluffy and downy? Not anymore! They are beginning to look full grown, like their siblings.

By the end of they day on July 3rd, all 5 chicks had left the nest.

HAPPY CANADA DAY!

Have a great Canada Day from myself and my budgies, Milo & Ciara.

THE LAST DAYS OF THE NETHERLAND KESTRELS

Common Kestrel, Netherlands - Goodbye to the 5 kestrels in the Netherlands. From June 21st until today, the kestrels started to leave the nest and by today, all of the kestrels had left the nest. Below I put up some pictures of the last couple of days in the nest.

Checking the outside world.

Hmm...lots of space above....

...and more space below!

The safety of the nest box is always nice to have as a back up if you get too overwhelmed by the vastness of the outside world. Let me back inside!


The curiosity, however, is too great and eventually draws the young kestrels outside again.

A little bit of preening is in order while one is roosting.


That's all folks! We're all grown up now.

TWO NEW OSPREY NESTS

Osprey, Hailuoto, Finland - Ospreys are stunning birds! I just recently came across this huge osprey nest in Finland. An impressive nest with an impressive bird!

There are 2 chicks in this nest. I am not sure when they hatched but I am guessing they are close to 4 weeks old, perhaps 5.

It took some time before I even found the chicks in this nest! Check out their camouflage - it's pretty awesome.

Feeding time!

Osprey, Pine County, MN, USA - A nice little web cam set up by a pair of neighbours at Sturgeon Lake in Pine County, Minnesota. The nest had 3 eggs, but only one hatched. This little chick hatched on June 4th.

It's nice to see both parents raising the young.


That "awkward" stage where everything is out of proportion.

TO LEAVE OR NOT TO LEAVE THE NEST, THAT IS THE QUESTION

Barn Owl, Trabuco Canyon, CA, USA - Both owlets are still around the nest, even though they are now flying well. While they are capable of catching their own prey, they still continue to beg their parents throughout the night for food. They continue to roost periodically in the tree, although they are comfortable enough to roost outside of it. Check the cam during the day and you might catch a glimpse of one.

Little Owl, Netherlands - It's been a tough spring for the Little Owls. They had 4 owlets hatch and only one has survived. I can see why it would be a little reluctant to leave the nest.


Looking out into the big world.

White Stork, Bornheim Sportsplex Nest, Germany - One stork has left the nest and the other 3 do leave the nest for periods of time, but still continue to come back.


The parents still continue to come to the nest. The stork in the front is one of the parents - adult storks have orange beaks and legs. While the young's legs have turned from black to orange, their beaks are still black, making it possible to distinguish between parents and storklets.

WHITE TO BLACK

Black Stork, Estonia - This first shot is from June 11th, now check out the next shot...

...7 days later! Their 'snow white' down is quickly being replaced by black feathers.

Mom/Dad just dropped off food, hence, we have a feeding frenzy!

A relaxing morning with a few stretches to start the day.

The storklets are very black when it rains!

HATCHED AND SWIMMING

Common Loon, Minnesota, USA - On June 5th, the first chick hatched, followed by its sibling hatching on June 6th. Unfortunately for us, the viewers, by June 7th, both chicks were already swimming with their parents as loons have the ability to swim right away. However, they will spend some time on their parents’ backs to rest, conserve heat, and avoid predators such as large carnivorous fish, snapping turtles, gulls, eagles, and crows. For more info on loons, check out Canadian Wildlife's website. Also, Larry's Loon Log has the story of these 2 loons, along with pictures and links to pictures and videos.

MORE NESTLINGS FLEDGE

Allen's Hummingbird, Orange County, CA, USA - The lone little hummingbird officially fledged on June 14th. According to the fellow who hosts the cam, the little bird is still around his yard, expecting Mom to feed him and will probably continue to do so for the next couple of weeks. Mom has had a busy season and is not expected to lay more eggs until November. Check the website for details and some great videos.

Black-chinned Hummingbird, Trabuco Canyon, CA, USA - At 23 days of age, both chicks fledged today (June 18th). There is a good chance that Mom will nest again this season. I will keep you posted.