While the swallows were out hunting for insects, I darted out to their nest box with ladder in hand before they could come back and dive-bomb me. I discovered one tiny egg inside. It was about half the size of a bluebird egg and a pearly white color, so I nearly missed it among the white feathers. I'm concerned that they didn't build the nest high enough. I've heard many reports of swallow fledglings dying because they can't get out of the nest box. These cases usually occur with boxes that have smooth wood. Ours does not and I believe that it is rough enough for little feet to grab and hold as they climb out. Time will tell and I just have to trust that the birds' judgement is better than mine :)
I didn't check the bluebird box today because Papa saw me out there with the ladder and squared himself against my prying fingers by stationing himself on the top of the box. Sure, he would have flown off should I have approached, but I didn't want to disturb him. Plus, it was possible that Mama was in there laying another egg and I certainly didn't want to risk interrupting that process. I'll check the box tomorrow when I hope to find 4 or 5 eggs.
There hasn't been any other interesting bird sightings over the last couple of days save for a sole turkey pecking at cracked corn we put out for the blue jays. He or she looked quite small and I hope that they are not starving out there in the hollow. I don't think that they are since they know we have food here, but perhaps their numbers are getting too large for the fields to support this early in the season.
Posted by Elizabeth at May 12, 2005 01:40 PM