New this season: Bring Back the Bluebirds nest cam!
Just before the third and final Western Bluebird family of the season arrived from Washington and were released into their temporary aviary, we installed a nest camera atop the nestlings’ nestbox. Although we were only able to film their first week before encountering technical difficulties, in that time we captured the little bluebirds as they were fed, slept, preened, and grew inside their cosy quarters. After more than three seasons of wondering what goes on inside the nestbox, we finally get to catch a glimpse of the secret world of nesting bluebirds…
Dinnertime – June 18th, 5:15 pm
Six active Western Bluebird nestlings eagerly await dinner on their 6th day in the aviary. With appetites like this, they will develop quickly and soon fledge the nest. Shortly after the last nestling has fledged, the whole family will be released from the aviary into their new habitat on Vancouver Island.
Bedtime – June 19th, 1:45 am
Even Western Bluebirds are sound asleep at 2 o’clock in the morning. This brood of 6 nestlings is just 17 days old and will fledge the nest by next week. Camera: Hawk Eye Nature Cam
Early birds – June 19th, 6:20 am
Begging, feeding, preening, and squirming, these six 17 day-old Western Bluebird nestlings are up and ready for breakfast in the early morning of their 7th day in the aviary. These nestlings are just a few days from fledging, after which they will be released into their new habitat along with their parents (who make an occasional appearance in this video). Camera: Hawk Eye Nature Cam
This family of bluebirds was released on June 26th, just 2 days after all the nestlings had fledged the nestbox.
Check back for more footage throughout the summer, as we move the camera around the breeding territories of this season’s many bluebird families!
The solar-powered Bring Back the Bluebirds Nest Cam is made possible by First Light Technologies and TD Friends of the Environment Foundation.