Fly Away (from) Home

July 2, 2007. Today was the day.

I breakfasted on the front porch in order to observe our Eastern Phoebe fledglings as I ate. They certainly were noisier ... and larger. One parental feeding revealed four baby birds, as evidenced by four beaks pointed straight up to receive one much-awaited insect, not three babies as previously thought.

The peeping continued unabated until I opened the front door underneath their nest to let the cat out. Suddenly, all was quiet. The most visible baby directly in front stretched, spread its wings, then turned and climbed over her/his siblings' heads to relocate in the rear.

One parent flew near the nest several times which inspired a loud and insistent chorus but no meal was forthcoming. Clearly, no amount of lobbying was going to draw mom or dad closer. Unexpectedly, all four birds began to push and agitate for a better location. One baby, now several, tumbled out of the nest onto their human-built wooden deck. Wings stretched and babies moved, hopped, and turned. Suddenly and unexpectedly, one fledgling took flight and landed on the branch of a nearby tree. Just like that! Could it be that easy?

Within a minute or two each bird swooshed into the air to the cover of the nearby forest until there was only one fledgling left. S/he was, actually, the first baby to tumble out of the nest onto the deck. After tipping close to the edge several times and waiting, waiting, waiting to no avail, this bird, too, swooped to a nearby branch. The nest was empty!

Both Frances and I climbed a ladder to confirm that the nest was vacant. Now I know what empty nest syndrome feels like! I miss those little peepers. Life won't be the same without them right outside my kitchen window. I hope I continue to hear and see them in the coming days.

(Photos to come when we figure out how to upload and post them!)