Birdhouse Cam Blog

Weather Station

2008-10-11T13:54:00.002-04:00

For the past week, the weather station has lost temperature and dew point. I had to send the sensor back to the manufacturer for a replacement. It will probably take another week for it to arrive.

Time Lapse

2008-08-16T11:33:00.002-04:00

In the Movies link you'll find a time lapse movie of the chicks growing from shortly after hatching until the day they fledged the nest.

It's a 3 ½ minute recording. It's amazing the amount of growth in a 2 week timeframe. The file weighs about 18 megs.

Bird Feeders

2008-08-13T19:43:00.003-04:00

Now that the birds have left the safety of the birdhouse and there isn't anything left in there, it's time to go back to the feeders.

Along with live video of the feeders, there is also live video from our weather cam.

Empty Nest

2008-08-13T08:51:00.002-04:00

Shortly after 7 am the birds left the nest. Unfortunately, the camera's aim was knocked out of position last evening.

You can see evidence of the fledging by clicking on the "archive" link and see the last picture of the birds.

I did record some video yesterday as I thought I'd witness the fledging. You'll see and hear some activity as the chicks were contemplating leaving the nest. I'll post that today after I get home.

Camera

2008-08-12T21:23:00.003-04:00

Today it looked as though one of the birds was going to fledge. I think it ran out of daylight and lost its nerve.

Some time after the sun went down, the camera was moved by one of the birds. As you can see (or can't see), it doesn't present a very good view. I just have to hope it gets pushed back to a decent angle.

Spread out!

2008-08-08T12:35:00.002-04:00

It's getting to be quite crowded in the birdhouse. The rate of growth is unbelievable. According to what I have read, fledging could take another week or so. But at least one chick has been spreading its wings a little. I wonder just how much longer before they leave.

They no longer sound like chicks. Instead of chirping lightly, they have been really making a racket.

All 6 are still there.

See?

2008-08-02T10:18:00.002-04:00

I noticed one chick that has started to open it's eyes. Unfortunately the camera is pointed too far down to get all the chicks in the picture at once. I'd like to go and correct it, but don't want to disturb the constant feeding that's going on.

The audio has improved except that occasionally, a local radio station bleeds in. I tried using a choke on the audio line, but it doesn't help.

Jeepers Peepers

2008-07-31T19:03:00.001-04:00

Today the chicks have discovered their voices. Plenty of peeping going on. Click on the audio player to hear them.

Noodles with beaks

2008-07-28T18:20:00.001-04:00

All the eggs have hatched. The last one about an hour ago. Maw is in and out bringing in the chow.

More Chicks

2008-07-28T07:39:00.001-04:00

Two hatched yesterday and two more today. Feed us, Ma!

Chicks

2008-07-27T15:50:00.000-04:00

A few minutes ago we discovered 2 chicks freshly hatched. The shells were discarded as we watched. Finally success!
Four more eggs to go.

Hatchlings

2008-07-26T09:13:00.002-04:00

It's been about 15 days since the first egg appeared. I expect that we should see one hatch any time now. I intend on starting a time-lapse video of the event if I am home when it occurs. If I do, it will be posted in the movie link.

An egg a day

2008-07-14T13:12:00.000-04:00

A new egg has appeared each morning since the first one on the 10th. The female has been attending the nest regularly.

First egg

2008-07-11T10:10:00.002-04:00

Yesterday morning the wren laid the first egg. This morning a second egg was in the nest. Last time there was a total of 6, which never hatched. We're hoping for better results this time around.

Resumed activity

2008-07-06T12:24:00.003-04:00

This late morning some wrens started bringing nesting material to birdhouse #1. Hopefully this activity will bring some results.

Also, yesterday I mounted a rain gauge in the middle of the back yard.

Back in Action

2008-06-22T18:27:00.003-04:00

Really, the only action is at the bird feeders. The bird houses are empty except for some bugs that took over #2.

I now have a weather station going on in the yard. So you will see a link on the sidebar for our weather.

I still have to get a radiation shield for the temperature sensor and until I do, the temp shoots up when the sun hits it. I hope to have it in a week or so. There are other bugs to work out as well, so don't plan your vacation based on my weather station!

Down for Maintenance

2008-06-19T11:09:00.001-04:00

I'm working on a project that makes it necessary to take the video stream down temporarily. I will have it back up soon.

New Page Design

2008-06-07T12:33:00.002-04:00

I did a little work on the website. The picture used in the header was taken out in the back yard when the male wren was sitting on the wood pile singing away. Probably calling for the female that never seems to be around.

Birdhouse Refilled

2008-06-01T14:30:00.000-04:00

I placed the original nesting material back into House #1 to see what will happen. Later the birds came and started rebuilding the nest.

Empty Nest

2008-05-31T10:12:00.000-04:00

After a week of erratic behavior, I decided to clear out the birdhouse in hopes of new activity.
I took pictures as I removed the front of the house and used a spatula to remove the nesting material in one bulk. After removing the material, we placed it in a bowl and slowly dissected it and found no eggs whatsoever. That was a surprise. No egg shell remnants or anything.
So now the house is empty again. We hope that it will be occupied again and maybe will see a successful birth. Look for the photos at the link in the sidebar.

Back from Vacation

2008-05-27T16:13:00.000-04:00

Arrived back home after being gone for less than a week. I've been watching what has been going on while I was away. I'm disappointed at the fact that the eggs are covered and the female hasn't taken much interest.
I added some time lapse video, showing the eggs being covered over. Check the movies link.

Home Makeover

2008-05-24T07:33:00.002-04:00

For reasons known only to itself, the bird is going over the nest in a frenzy. It has covered the eggs up in the process. I'm baffled at what the reason is. Only time will tell.

The outside view is gone because we are on a trip and needed that camera. It will be back when we get back on Tuesday.

Wrong Wren

2008-05-16T09:12:00.002-04:00

This morning, I finally was able to get a close look at the male wren. Instead of a Carolina Wren, it is a House Wren.
Since I had a Carolina Wren in the yard in late winter (which is in the photo page), I mistakenly thought it was it that took the house. Since the colors are all muted by the IR camera, it was difficult identifying it.

Oeuf!

2008-05-16T06:29:00.001-04:00

Number six came later than usual, after 6am. How far will this go? Keep watching.

æg!

2008-05-15T06:15:00.000-04:00

Just like clockwork, the fifth egg appeared this morning. I'm gonna run out of languages here.