Friday, June 12, 2009

Quints Take Two

Last week we discovered that the bird fearlessly nesting in our grill was another wren; this week she finally flew out to get something to eat, and we cautiously checked the nest while she was gone to see this (click on any of the images for a larger version):



The headcount -- or beakcount? -- told us that all five of her eggs hatched, making this our second set of wren quints. Since Mama was gone we decided to gently lift the rack and get a close-up shot of the babies:



From their size and general condition I'd guess they're about a day or two old:



I was worried they wouldn't hatch because the interior of the grill might be too hot for the nest, but despite temperatures in the 90's Mama spends most of the day in there, and they seem to be doing fine.

This definitely puts an end to our outdoor grilling for a while, but the babies are so damn tiny and cute I can't complain. What a spring this has been.

6 comments:

  1. Anonymous6:25 AM

    Russel Galen is an agent - I believe the Mercedes Lackey is one of his clients. Anyway, his agency sponsored our teens (at the museum) as part of the World Series of Birding a few years ago.

    Is there something with writers and birds? ;-)

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  2. You are single-handely helping to dramatically increase all local bird populations, aren't you? It's so fun to see!

    :-)

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  3. We had a wren in our stone wall last year - it would torture our dog by perching on the fence, just out of reach, and making kissy noises at it.
    Our dog would go balistic - I'd have to run down to the bottom of the garden and haul him to the house.
    This year the wren is gone - more peaceful, but I miss the cheeky little bird - I hope it simply moved to a quieter neighborhood.

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  4. Some people are faster than a speeding bullet.
    Some are able to leap tall buildings in a single bound.
    Some live on Paradise Island and fly an invisible plane.

    You have the power to attract nesting birds.
    It's a gift. :)

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  5. Marjorie Liu1:06 PM

    So cute! Snug as bugs in a rug.

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  6. Lynn, I really thing you missed your true calling. Wildlife repopulation specialist :D

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