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

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!

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

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.