baby birds

Bird Watching

May 8, 2012

in baby birds,home school,homeschool

We’ve had an exciting little addition to our homeschool room this spring… well technically, it is outside of our room, but it is best viewed looking out the window from our school table. 

It seems the nest that was used 2 years ago, has been revisited this spring.  Given the fate of our feathered friends 2 years ago, we were all a little nervous when we saw a Mommy robin sitting on the nest this spring.  IMG_3820

I am not sure how many eggs she started with, but we have been able to observe one baby bird grow up in that nest. 

Look at them snuggling!!

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Here the Mom appears to have spotted me with the camera and is telling me to stay away from her baby!

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I know this picture is kinda blurry, but you can see the little baby head sticking up to get its dinner…

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Look how much the bird changed in just one weeks time!IMG_4165

I love his fuzzy little head.  The kids decided to name him Robin Hood… since he is a robin and all.  Look at him getting brave and standing on the edge of his nest.

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Here he is looking like he’s ready to take flight.  IMG_4194

I love his expression here… stretching…

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Even though he’s getting older, he still snuggles up with his Momma.

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I LOVE these pictures of the two of them together…IMG_4212

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Not quite able to leave the nest for his food yet, so Mom and Dad bring it to him.

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These were taking on a Friday and we don’t go down to the school room much over the weekend… It appeared he left the nest that weekend and we thought our bird watching excitement was over for the spring.

But, then a week, maybe two later, we noticed the Momma bird sitting on the nest an awful lot again.  Confused, I asked Scott to take a peek inside when she was away.  And this is what he found!

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Not Exactly the Life Lesson I was Hoping For

June 25, 2010

in baby birds,growing up,home school

When I told you of the never ending science lessons going on at the circus this summer, I was excited about my children getting to watch the baby birds grow until they were old enough to fly from the nest.  We learned that Daddy Robins help Mommy’s feed their babies, as we saw both the Mom and Dad at the nest at the same time.  By day 3 we even started seeing their little beaks peak out over the top of the nest in our “Robin cam.”  I was surprised to see how often the Momma left the nest to find food for her little ones.  It seemed she would no sooner arrive at the nest and feed her little babes, that she was off again hunting for food. 

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Sadly, on Thursday morning when I turned on the “Robin cam”  I didn’t see any activity in the nest.  Hoping the Momma had just left for awhile, I silently kept an eye on the camera as I went about tidying the house.  I never saw the Momma bird return to the nest.  I never saw the little beaks peaking over the top.  After a few hours with no signs of life, I called Scott to mention my suspicion. 

The kids hadn’t picked up on it and I hadn’t yet voiced my concerns. 

Scott had me go out with the mirror to check the nest. 

It was empty.

We were both so sad.  He said I could wait till he got home to tell the kids and I did.  I just knew he’d  be better at telling them than I would. 

Before they went to bed last night, we sat them down.  Scott carefully explained “the circle of life.”  He didn’t make what we suspect was a cat or raccoon out to be evil or bad, like I am sure I would have done.

My son took it the hardest, as I suspected he would.  We were all looking forward to watching them grow and learn to fly.

This was def not the lesson I was excited to teach them this summer.  But, it seems it was the lesson they were meant to be taught.  I do hope we have the opportunity of watching baby birds grow again in our yard, next time hoping they make it till they can safely fly away on their own. 

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Summer School

June 21, 2010

in baby birds,home school

Just because it is summer, doesn’t mean we have to stop learning here at the circus.  God presented us with a wonderful science lesson, right in our back yard.  The best part is, I don’t even have to do any prep work for the lessons!IMG_0606

A very brave and trusting Momma Robin built a nest under our deck.  Apparently, she doesn’t require peace and tranquility to feel safe as our crew stomps back and forth across our deck belting out songs or squeals or tantrums from morning till night. 

Because of the location she chose to build her nest it is pretty much impossible to see inside.

Though my brilliant husband  is not easily thwarted by Momma Robins. 

 IMG_0679First he took the camera from our baby video monitor and set it up beside the nest so that the kids could watch her on the video  monitor inside the house.  The first night we let them sleep with the monitor in their room.  They feel asleep watching the Momma bird sit in her nest.  Then the bird cam was moved to the kitchen counter so we could keep tabs on her throughout the day. 

I still wanted a glimpse of the actual eggs.  Scott found a mirror and was able to snap a picture of the eggs using the mirror. 

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This afternoon as we were watching the bird cam I noticed some movement in the nest.  I was fairly certain the eggs had hatched and when Scott got home he was able to prove my suspicion correct!  If you look closely at the bottom bird you can actually see his beak!  I can’t believe how tiny they are!

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This poor Momma bird comes and goes all day long bringing food back for her baby birds…I thought I had it bad nursing all day and night, but at least I don’t have to go hunt it down! 

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