Tuesday, May 13, 2008

The Finch's Home

I thought it might be interesting for you to see the context of where the nest is. The photo below is the propane tank where the nest is. The nested right in the top of the tank and actually is a really good spot for them--well protected from the weather and predators.

I wish I could get the video working because it is amazing to watch them feed the chicks.

Something that we may have to look forward to is that the birds will nest multiple times in a season. So we may see them raise these young and then lay another set of eggs.

Wing Goodale
BioDiversity Research Institute

14 comments:

Anonymous said...

5/13
Guess I was lucky to have caught the bit of video last night seeing the feeding sessions!
Thanks for the photos, I had pictured a big ole open topped tank, amazing that they ended up inside! Glad you caught them. (And what will happen when you get more gas?)

J in S.P.ME

Anonymous said...

Loved seeing the propane tank which houses the finch nest. The context adds to the show! I can now imagine the finches flying into that little hole to feed their babies. Any more babies today? Where is the camera located? Inside the hole? Obviously above the nest, may be in the cap? It will be fun to see if there are multiple nestings.

WOW
May 13, 2008
10:40 A M

Anonymous said...

Looks like there is only one egg left to hatch.

WOW
May 13,2008
11:10 A M

Anonymous said...

We have wrenn's that nest each year in the top of our tank too. Volunteered at a wildlife rehab center for birds and I always enjoyed taking care of the finch's.
Chapin

Anonymous said...

5/13 2:18
Just took a peek and no one is on the nest - looks like everyone has hatched, don't see any more of that pretty blue shell. Remember when you were a kid and you'd find a birds egg... first it was such an awesome find and second it was always blue.

J in S.P.ME

Anonymous said...

I, too, had a surprise about 3-4 weeks ago. I needed propane and went to check my gauge when I found a nest with 3 eggs. The next day, there were 4. It belongs to a Carolina wren. The eggs have all hatched now. But it couldn't have been too long ago. I desperately need propane, but I'm going to have to wait till they fly away, so I hope it won't be too long. I thought I found a site saying 2 weeks till they fledge. We'll see. Pretty clever little birds. Their home is warm, fairly safe and fairly weatherproof!!

Anonymous said...

5/13 PM
Love the still shots of the finches! Wish they could be live. I've tried all spring to discourage the sparrows from taking over my bluebird houses, but to no avail. I also have been feeding the "good" housebirds, but the sparrows and blue jays and grackles have taken over. If anyone has a suggestion on how to discouroug the "trash" birds, please let me know.

cathy h in mass

Anonymous said...

Are both birds in for the night? It seems that I can see two larger shapes.
To cathy.... I had a problem with cowbirds one year and I was told to just stop ground feeding. I only fed black oil sunflower seed in a feeder. It about killed me because I also had indigo buntings at the time and they eat millet. You might try that. It did work, and after about two weeks I started again. Now I watch and figure I'll nip it in the bud if they appear.

Anonymous said...

5/14 6:45
Looks like mom is off the nest right now...must be very hungry babies! Wing, you mentioned that both parents will feed once the chicks have hatched - looks like a full time job! Can you hear the chicks? Are we talking breakfast of bugs & worms? When the chicks get ready to fledge do they leave the nest & return for a few days or do they fly away never to return?

J in S.P.ME

Anonymous said...

5/14 10:05a.m.

My husband teaches in an elementary school in Portland and the kids were very excited about this cam - they got 15 second refreshes so they caught a lot of action and most went home with slips of paper that said...briloon.org....on them so they could watch at home! Great educational opportunity for these cameras to teach kids how to respect the earth & the things on it. This little finch has a magical property about it, maybe because it all happens so fast, but kids are interested! That's always a good thing!

J in S.P.ME

Anonymous said...

What happens to the shells after the chick has hatched? Are they carried out of the nest or does it stay there and get worked into the nest?

Seeing the nest lets you know you should brush your dogs outside to help with the nesting material.

GG said...

5+14-2008 4:30PM (EDT)

I've the latest JAVA software and never see the "LIVE" action other ppl see. I was under the impression WING didn't have live video just yet, still 15 second images. However, my image is still showing somewhere just after 11AM this morning and even a refresh doesn't change the picture.

Any help is greatly appreciated.

I'm using IE7 and O/S is Vista.

Thank you for any help and I certainly do appreciate the still shots folks have posted.

Anonymous said...

I too have the latest updates but picture is neither 'live' nor does it refresh. Any help would be appreciated.

Jane E in ME

Anonymous said...

This is so cool!Now I can do my research!