Introducing the Bluebird Restoration Project: April 2024
Environmental biologist and resident Jim Miller is working to increase the Eastern Bluebird population in Billerica. But it’s not only the Bluebirds who benefit -- sometimes a Chickadee pair discovers that Jim’s handmade Nestbox is the perfect home for their growing family. See if you can spy the seven eggs she has snuggled in her luxurious nest of moss and fur. Due date: Mother’s Day!
UPDATE: We have babies!!! Looks like the Chickadee chicks popped 2 days early to enjoy the beautiful spring weather. We haven't been able to count them yet, maybe you can watch the stream and help us out?
We will be streaming the Nestbox activities daily until they fledge. Happy Spring!
UPDATE: We have babies!!! Looks like the Chickadee chicks popped 2 days early to enjoy the beautiful spring weather. We haven't been able to count them yet, maybe you can watch the stream and help us out?
We will be streaming the Nestbox activities daily until they fledge. Happy Spring!
Day 19: Any Minute Now!
...and just like that, they've flown away. Even the little one made it. We're not crying, you're crying.
...and just like that, they've flown away. Even the little one made it. We're not crying, you're crying.
Day 18: Ready to Fly?
It's a cool, rainy, blustery day. The chicks are restless but Mom and Dad may make them wait another day
It's a cool, rainy, blustery day. The chicks are restless but Mom and Dad may make them wait another day
Day 17 Part 2: Watching and Waiting
Day 17 Part 1: Peeking Out The Door
Day 16: Restless Wings
Day 15: Crowded House
Day 14: Fledging Any Day Now
Day 13: Sweltering Heat
Day 12: Looking More and More Like Chickadees!
Day 11: Growing Wings and Finding their Voices
Day 10: Beginning to Preen Themselves
Day 9: Flight Feathers and Fuzziness
Day 8: Me me me! Feed me! Feed Me!
Seven gaping mouths are vying for Mama's attention. Listen carefully and you can hear them chirping too! Did you know that the parents analyze their babies' gapes to determine health, fitness and competitive ability?
Seven gaping mouths are vying for Mama's attention. Listen carefully and you can hear them chirping too! Did you know that the parents analyze their babies' gapes to determine health, fitness and competitive ability?
Day 7: Fending off Another Attacker
2:42:13 Mama hisses like a snake and spreads her tail feathers to protect her babies when another unwelcome guest tries to enter the nest. Did you know that most humans have never seen this tail display because it only occurs in the nest?
2:42:13 Mama hisses like a snake and spreads her tail feathers to protect her babies when another unwelcome guest tries to enter the nest. Did you know that most humans have never seen this tail display because it only occurs in the nest?
Day 6, Part 2: Twenty-Four Hour Watch
1:55:07 Notice how Mama doesn't need to sit on the kiddos as much now that they have a bit of fluff growing in! Did you know their eyes won't open until approx 10 days after hatching?
1:55:07 Notice how Mama doesn't need to sit on the kiddos as much now that they have a bit of fluff growing in! Did you know their eyes won't open until approx 10 days after hatching?
Day 6, Part 1: Feed, Clean, Snuggle, Repeat
1:55:07 The pace of feeding has picked up. Almost every time we turn on the camera now, we see 7 hungry mouths and a very busy Mama. Even the caterpillars are getting bigger to keep up with the chicks' growing appetites!
1:55:07 The pace of feeding has picked up. Almost every time we turn on the camera now, we see 7 hungry mouths and a very busy Mama. Even the caterpillars are getting bigger to keep up with the chicks' growing appetites!
Day 5: Cleaning and Preening
00:24:12 That knocking sound you hear is Mama keeping the house neat and tidy. She may look super cute wiggling around upside-down in the cup but she's doing very important work
00:24:12 That knocking sound you hear is Mama keeping the house neat and tidy. She may look super cute wiggling around upside-down in the cup but she's doing very important work
Day 4: Nature Can Be Cruel
00:14:00 Trigger Warning: A house wren enters the nest and attempts to snatch one of the chicks. It was a terrifying several minutes waiting to see if the baby would survive, and if the parents would be able to drive the invader away.
00:14:00 Trigger Warning: A house wren enters the nest and attempts to snatch one of the chicks. It was a terrifying several minutes waiting to see if the baby would survive, and if the parents would be able to drive the invader away.
Day 3: Diaper Duty
1:30:56 Cool facts about baby bird poop - the chicks lift their bottoms and present a neat little poop sack that Mama gently removes from the nest!
1:30:56 Cool facts about baby bird poop - the chicks lift their bottoms and present a neat little poop sack that Mama gently removes from the nest!
Day 2: Breakfast in Bed
2:11:30 Daddy makes sure the babies are getting lots of nutritious caterpillars so they grow big and strong. Did you know it will only take a little over 2 weeks for these helpless hatchlings to transform into feathered fledglings?
2:11:30 Daddy makes sure the babies are getting lots of nutritious caterpillars so they grow big and strong. Did you know it will only take a little over 2 weeks for these helpless hatchlings to transform into feathered fledglings?
Day 1: Happy Birth Day!
Start watching below at 3:15:00 to witness the last of the eggshells vanish! With a little help from Mama, of course. Did you know that it is very important for mama birds to replenish their calcium after giving birth?
Start watching below at 3:15:00 to witness the last of the eggshells vanish! With a little help from Mama, of course. Did you know that it is very important for mama birds to replenish their calcium after giving birth?
