Ok, Blue Bird fans, it’s Week #18 update time for the Mississippi Gulf Coast Blue Bird Program in the city of Long Beach, on the 45-acre campus of the South Mississippi Regional Center!
So, here is what ‘Master Naturalist’ buddy John and I found today, July 3, 2008, walking around campus during a Thursday morning, taking the Blue Bird Trail nesting survey.
Here are this week’s Survey results:
Master Naturalist Buddy John and Emily, the Tree-Climbing Wonder Dog, traversing the north acreage of the campus Blue Bird Trail this morning.
Box #1- Empty nesting box, no activity. – Last week: Empty nesting box, no activity.
Box #2- 3 Blue Bird babies. – Last week: 3 Blue Bird babies.
Three Blue Bird babies are about ready to fly from the nest this week.
Box #3- Empty nesting box, no activity. – Last week: Empty nesting box, no activity.
Box #4- 1 Blue Bird baby, 3 Blue Bird eggs. – Last week: 4 Blue Bird eggs.
Box #5- Empty nesting box, no activity. – Last week: Empty nesting box, no activity.
Box #6- 3 Blue Bird eggs. – Last week: 3 Blue Bird eggs.
New Blue Bird baby in nesting box #4.
Box #7- Empty nesting box, no activity. – Last week: Empty nesting box, no activity.
Box #8- Empty nesting box, no activity. – Last week: Empty nesting box, no activity.
Box #9- Empty nesting box, no activity. – Last week: 4 Blue Bird babies flew the nest.
The Killdeer babies continue to grow, and it won’t be long and they will be as large as their parents.
Box #10- Empty nesting box, no activity. – Last week: Empty nesting box, no activity.
Box #11- Empty nesting box, no activity. – Last week: Few old straw, no new activity.
The Campus in Long Beach has more than birds and squirrels living within its fences, as this furry critter attests.
Box #12- 5 Blue Bird eggs. – Last week: 5 Blue Bird eggs.
Box #13- Empty Nesting box, no activity. – Last week: Empty nesting box, no activity.
Totals This Week: 11 Blue Bird eggs, 4 Blue Bird babies, 9 Empty nesting boxes.
Totals Last Week: 12 Blue Bird eggs, 3 Blue Bird babies, 4 Blue Bird babies flew the nest, 0 sterile eggs,
7 empty nesting boxes, 3 Killdeer babies.
Master Naturalist buddy John continues to be very enthused about the activity, and reports that during the last 17 weeks of the program, 36 Blue Bird babies and 6 Chickadee babies have flown from their nests, and we also have 3 Killdeer babies who have left their ground nest in one of the grassy areas on campus, and have joined their parents in feeding on the ground, during this first season of the new Blue Bird Trail. We are hoping to have at least 50 Blue Bird babies fly from the nests this season.
The weather today was partly cloudy, light wind and about 87 degrees.
Another update will be along next weekend. Have a great Holiday Weekend!
Am I the only one who wants to tame a raccoon and make it a pet where he can sleep inside along with his baby bird brothers and sisters? Yeah. I kind of thought so.
I love the picture of the coon and the killdeer! ~Kim