Mission Statement

Bearing Witness to Local Natural History-- from the wildness of Indiana








Saturday, July 14, 2012

Last Fledging of Tree Swallows

Today the last two plastic gourd nests of Tree Swallow nestlings fledged. One nest  had two nestlings and the other had four. It is always bittersweet when the day comes for the last brood(s) to leave. I am always happy and relieved that they successfully fledged their nests but sad that the nesting season for them (and me) has ended. It has been a strange nesting season here. The early spring/summer, the heat, and the severe drought has taken its toll. We still have had no rain. 


Best wishes to all "my" Tree Swallows for a safe migration to your wintering grounds and a safe return in March 2013.

Tree Swallow-Adult                            ©Joni L. James

     Tree Swallow at Nest-Adult            ©Joni L. James



2 comments:

Unknown said...

Wonderful photos!
The second swallow doesn't seem to want to go out into the heat.
Can't blame him.
We've had some hot days.

Joni James said...

Thanks! The heat has been hard on them. One nestling died early in the nestling stage.