May 29...

Our earliest nesters may begin hatching this week so stay tuned for the news! When the chicks first hatch, we cannot see them as they do not stand up and move around much. We must watch the adults behaviors for clues. During incubation, the sitting  bird has its attention focused outward most of the time...watching other birds, snoozing, only occasionally poking around in the nest cup, rolling the eggs. When the chicks begin to pip the shell, the adults can become restless, looking down a lot, getting up to peek into the nest cup. Often when the male comes, they both stare into the nest. The female may sit a bit higher. The confirmation comes when the adults begin feeding the chicks, ripping small bits off the fish and offering it into the nest cup. To some people, brooding looks just like incubating...so we have to observe more closely to catch the subtle signs that the chicks have begun hatching. When you have been watching this miraculous event as many years as I have, the signs are quite clear. It still thrills me after all these years!