Another very hot week has passed, here on the Mississippi Gulf Coast Blue Bird Trail, on the campus of the South Mississippi regional Center, in Long Beach, but despite the torrid weather, the Week #17 Trail Survey results showed that 10 more Blue Bird babies flew, and 12 new eggs, appeared in the nesting boxes, since the last Survey.
Nesting box #12 has a brand new nest this week, the largest nest of any we have observed this season. This Blue Bird pair really outdid themselves in the construction of this nest, as the top of it comes right up to the entrance hole.
The flight of the 10 babies during the week, brought the 2009 Season Total to 55, 10 ahead of the entire 2008 Total of 45 babies flying the nest. And with 12 new eggs being laid during the past week, that flight total of 55 should go well over 60 by the end of the 2009 Season.
Here are Survey Totals this 2009 Season so far:
81 eggs laid: 9 have been sterile, 4 lost to a predator.
55 babies have flown the nest. – Last Year: 36 babies had flown the nest as of Week #17. Last Year Total Blue Bird babies flying from the nesting boxes: 45.
12 eggs in nesting boxes currently.
0 babies in nesting boxes currently.
Here are the results of Friday’s Blue Bird Trail Survey of the individual nesting boxes, on Friday morning, June 26, 2009:
Nesting Box #1 – 3 Blue Bird babies flew the nest, 1 Blue Bird egg missing. – Last Week: 3 Blue Bird babies, 1 Blue Bird egg.
Nesting Box #2 – 3 large Blue Bird babies flew the nest, 2 Blue Bird eggs left – sterile. – Last Week: 3 Blue Bird babies, 2 Blue Bird eggs.
Nesting Box #3 – Empty nesting box, no activity. – Last Week: Empty nesting box, no activity.
Nesting Box #4 – New nest built, 1 Blue Bird egg. – Last Week: 4 Blue Bird babies flew the nest, removed old nest, cleaned.
Nesting Box #5 – Empty box, no activity. – Last Week: Empty box, no activity.
Nesting Box #6 – 4 Blue Bird babies. – Last Week: 4 Blue Bird babies.
Nesting Box #7 – New nest built, 4 Blue Bird eggs. – Third Clutch. – Last Week: New nest built, 1 Blue Bird egg.
Nesting Box #8 – 4 Blue Bird eggs – Third Clutch. – Last Week: New nest built – Third Clutch.
Nesting Box #9 – Empty box, no activity. – Last Week: Empty box, no activity.
Nesting Box #10 – Empty box, no activity. – Last Week: Empty box, no activity.
Nesting Box #11 – Empty box, no activity. – Last Week: 5 Large Blue Bird babies flew the nest, removed nest, cleaned box.
Nesting Box #12 – 3 Blue Bird eggs – Third Clutch. – Last Week: New nest built – Third Clutch.
Nesting Box #13 – Empty box, no activity. – Last Week: 5 Large Blue Bird babies flew the nest, removed nest, cleaned box.
Have a great week, and here’s to another quiet hurricane season week in the tropics!
COME ON, COOLER WEATHER AND SOME RAIN!
I so hear you on the cooler weather and rain. It has just been miserable down this way. I think we may get a little rain today…hope it will head your way!
I’m impressed that they are still laying!