Thursday, June 4, 2015

The Drama Continues...

Just when the excitement seemed to be winding down, there is more! The cardinals, Geoff and Louise, have nestlings. There are at least two little ones as of June 3rd. Louise still stayed on the nest the whole day, and Geoff did a good job bringing food to her and their nestlings. 
Geoff feeding the nestlings
And now, there is a new robin pair nesting even closer to the window! Calvin and Betty managed to build the nest without detection (because everyone in the lab was very focused on research), and had one perfect blue egg on June 3rd. She is likely still laying, and we should be able to follow their progress very closely in this nest because of it's location. 

Calvin, the new robin male
Betty, the new robin female
Betty on her nest
The first blue egg!

Tuesday, June 2, 2015

It's June!

No news is good news. The house finch fledglings have been spotted a couple times, but seem to be dispersing. The robins are definitely getting more independent (picture below is when they still relied on Jason and Frieda for everything...). 

Geoff and Louise are still doing well - he has been singing and collecting food nearby while she continues to incubate. This week is likely when eggs will be hatching!

Jason trying to hunt while being followed
Charlie singing in the morning sun
Robin fledgling hanging out
And angry to be photographed...

Thursday, May 21, 2015

Busy Week! And a Tale of Three Species!

It's been an exciting week outside the Love Lab windows! The robin nestlings have fledged, and at least one is still hanging around. The one we have been watching is able to do some foraging for itself, but at least Jason is still doing some feeding. We have only seen one robin fledgling at a time, so the larger two may be already independent, or they all may be hiding well.
Early bird Jason got some worms
Robin fledgling
Robin fledgling
Much to our surprise, Charlie and Alice are also parents of fledged nestlings! They have three confirmed fledglings that are still hopping around our trees making lots of noise and begging lots. They house finch fledglings are extra cute with their small head tufts still showing. 
Alice and Charlie, proud parents
Fledgling #1
And that's not all the exciting news! We have a pair of cardinals nesting outside now :) 

Geoff, our male cardinal, was seen yesterday feeding his mate, Louise. After the feeding, Louise flew straight into a spruce tree and disappeared. With a little investigating, we found her nest that we might be able to see into when she is off it. More news and photos to come on the new family. 
Louise on her nest
Geoff eating locust flowers

Sunday, May 17, 2015

Three Cute (?) Robin Nestlings

Jason and Frieda have three nestlings! Two of them are noticeably larger, though they all seem to be growing and getting fed. They've begun stretching their wings already. The one at the front of the nest is still getting all of the camera attention though...
Grumpy looking nestling
Always looking around expecting food
Feeding time
It's been hard to see what's happening with Charlie and Alice, but based on their behaviour, she is either still incubating, or just beginning to feed nestlings. Hopefully some clear signs on their progress soon!

Thursday, May 7, 2015

Finch Fights, Good Parenting, and Unexpected Visitors

Charlie had a busy day yesterday defending his territory and female from another male. He sang for much of the day, and had several intense air battles with the intruder. He seemed to do his job well and protect Alice. He also is continuing to feed her off the nest while she does her fledgling display. 

Jason and Frieda have at least two confirmed nestlings now (only one pictured still)! Jason was very active yesterday bringing food both to the nestlings and to Frieda. 

A female summer tanager also stopped by briefly to forage in the few trees. She is one of many migrants arriving in and passing through southern Ontario now.

Nestling
Jason feeding Frieda on the nest
Female Scarlet Tanager

Monday, May 4, 2015

Nestlings!

Jason and Frieda are parents! Frieda did most of the feeding today, and still spent most of the day sitting on the nestlings, but Jason was around much more as well and made a couple feeding trips. This afternoon we got the first glimpse of one of the nestlings, and a first photo! More updates on number of nestlings coming soon. 
Frieda feeding nestlings
Jason sitting below nest tree
Nestling number one!
Alice seems to be on the nest now (no sightings today). Charlie was seen several times going into the nest for a brief time. 

Wednesday, April 29, 2015

Courting a Finch

Charlie went for the next step of courting today. Instead of just sitting in the tree tops singing his little heart out, he brought Alice lots of food and fed her in their courting ritual. Every couple hours today he would arrive near the nest and she would come out and beg for food like a fledgling. He was prepared every time with a mouthful of food. Photos and videos can show how well he did and their courting display. 









See the combined video in HD at House Finch Courting Behaviour.