Holy rain, Batman! The rain has been keeping us from checking our boxes regularly. This week, finally, the 4th graders were able to get out and take a peek.
Box 1
The nest is still ready for eggs but none so far. It has been two weeks since we last checked the boxes. It has been raining A LOT lately.
Box 2
FOUR EGGS!!! The number has doubled. The mother bird flew out of the box as we knocked (we are always polite visitors). We checked and sometimes a mother will delay laying eggs if it is too cold.
*NOTE FROM MRS. PARKER: We had to tip the nest a little to get a look at the nest. In good news this is not harmful to the eggs. DON'T worry that monitoring will make the parents desert the nest. Bluebirds tolerate human presence. Touching the nest will not make the birds leave--your mother just told you that to keep you from harassing them. Most birds don't have a good sense of smell. www.sialis.org
*NOTE FROM MRS. PARKER: We had to tip the nest a little to get a look at the nest. In good news this is not harmful to the eggs. DON'T worry that monitoring will make the parents desert the nest. Bluebirds tolerate human presence. Touching the nest will not make the birds leave--your mother just told you that to keep you from harassing them. Most birds don't have a good sense of smell. www.sialis.org
Box 3
Our pants and shoes got very wet and muddy:/ As we went by Box 2 and saw the mother bird fly out. We are excited about the 4 eggs!
Box 4
Today is wet and rainy. The box was wet and empty with only the nest. We did see a Gypsy Moth caterpillar.
Box 5
We found nothing in the box but on our way back we found a Gypsy Moth caterpillar. These guys can take down a tree. They are not a tree's friend. We also got a good picture of the empty box:)