New Arrivals

Earlier this spring I noted a new small bird checking our front porch out. Looking for a nesting spot actually. A couple of days later nest construction was well underway. Having had some previous experience with messy barn swallows in the past, I was quick to inform Mrs. Spic and Span (a.k.a. Mrs T. ) She wasn't happy with the news.

The new arrival was actually one of our most familiar eastern flycatchers, the Eastern Phoebe’s whose raspy “phoebe” call is a frequent sound around yards and farms in spring and summer. These brown-and-white songbirds sit upright and wag their tails from prominent, low perches. They typically place their mud-and-grass nests in protected nooks on bridges, barns, and houses, which adds to the species’ familiarity to humans. Hardy birds, Eastern Phoebes winter farther north than most other flycatchers and are one of the earliest returning migrants in spring. I hinted rather broadly that the bird was likely an "endangered species", which it surely was from Mrs. T's use of the garden hose removal method. Here's the story.....

A few weeks later I checked the nest. There were five tiny eggs smaller than a dime.

Later I saw a tiny brown fuzz ball. I wasn't sure at first what I was looking at till I noticd the little beak sticking up...

Then one evening I heard some peeping and watched the parents hurrying back and forth bringing supper. I couldn't believe how crowded the nest had become. Those five little birds were literally piled on top of each other. Then one day they were all gone. Bon voyage little Phoebes. Its been nice making your acquantence. I hope you do well out in that big wide world out there. Come back and visit... even next spring.