HARRISBURG, MARCH - APRIL, 2019

Jane · **Posted:** Sun May 05, 2019 3:16 pm

Little Dad is with the chicks now. Twice he's been in the scrape, and once up on the shield. Chicks have been pecking at his beak for food, but right now he doesn't have any.

Jane · **Posted:** Sun May 05, 2019 7:03 pm

Rain is still falling here, maybe harder than it's been all day. Little Dad had been on the camera perch about 15 minutes ago, but he's not there now. I have no idea when the last feeding was, but I do see feathers in the scrape that weren't there earlier. There has not been a lot of bird activity at my place today, and weather like this surely makes it tough for Little Dad to hunt. Tomorrow is to be better.

SWINWK · **Joined:** Wed Jan 02, 2013 10:41 am **Posts:** 12734

A little bit ago, Lil Dad walked in to be with the chicks who have been alone for a few minutes. His head is wet, but his body is dry. The chicks are opening their beaks to be fed, but he does not have anything for now. I'm sure the weather is weighing in on this today. And I wonder if Niecey left to hunt awhile back. Previous to this, Niecey had been trying to cover the chicks, but even she can't do that now. She walked out and later when I checked the stick cam, she was up there on the front shield. Within a few minutes she flew off, straight out with cries. In a minute, I could hear distant cries.

SWINWK · **Joined:** Wed Jan 02, 2013 10:41 am **Posts:** 12734

Just heard cries, went back in and Niecey is feeding the chicks!! They are really enjoying this one!! I can't find Lil Dad on cam. It was a great feed, but for most of it , only the 3 closest to her were getting bites and the one in back was not getting any. Then toward the end, Niecey actually picked up the meal and went to the other side of the chicks and it took the one not getting bites a bit to turn around, but when he did he pretty much had a private feed and also scored the biggest bite of the meal. Niecey had a few bites and the meal was over. Several minutes have passed and Lil Dad arrives to the point at 8:03!! Niecey is shielding the chicks! At 8:08, he's gone!

Jane · **Posted:** Sun May 05, 2019 9:06 pm

I saw all the events you just described, SWINWK, but I was on the phone and could not post until now. I think it has actually quit raining, and before it got dark I could actually see the glow of the sun as it set in the West.

SWINWK · **Joined:** Wed Jan 02, 2013 10:41 am **Posts:** 12734

Jane, it was sweet to see her cross over to the other side of the crew to continue the feed!! Niecey is currently on the back shield and the chicks are in a cuddle huddle! I do not see Lil Dad.

Jane · **Posted:** Mon May 06, 2019 8:11 am

Just watched a feeding of what may have been a Catbird. Niecey pulled off a lot of feathers from what ever it was and left them in the scrape. What a mess. She fed the chicks and then took off with the rest of it. The sun is actually making an appearance now!

SWINWK · **Joined:** Wed Jan 02, 2013 10:41 am **Posts:** 12734

Just went in on a feed in progress. All interested are getting bites including Niecey. Lil Dad is keeping an eye on things from atop the cam! By 12:24, the feed is over and Niecey is spread eagle on the ledge in front of the nest! The chicks are wiped out in the nest. Lil Dad is standing on the cam now with his back to them.

Terka · **Posted:** Mon May 06, 2019 12:35 pm

SWINWK · **Joined:** Wed Jan 02, 2013 10:41 am **Posts:** 12734

I see you captured my last 3 sentences perfectly, Terka!!

ljames · **Posted:** Mon May 06, 2019 5:47 pm

A few pictures of two different feedings.

The last picture says it all, one was so full he/she fell over, first on another chick, then then down, the baby even has a nice crop.

SWINWK · **Joined:** Wed Jan 02, 2013 10:41 am **Posts:** 12734

Thanks for your pics, ljames! :teehee:

Looks as if it's crop pulled it down for sure! Right now, Niecey is facing the nest on the front shield and the chicks are sleeping in a pile. Lil Dad is on the point!

Jane · **Posted:** Mon May 06, 2019 7:48 pm

Great pictures, ljames. Chicks are pretty much sacked out now with Niecey on the shield and Little Dad on the point. I just noticed how slim Niecey looks. And how nice to have some decent weather here today with more coming tomorrow. Then the rain pattern starts up again.

SWINWK · **Joined:** Wed Jan 02, 2013 10:41 am **Posts:** 12734

Lil Dad flew at 8:40! Niecey is in the nest standing over part of the chicks!

Jane · **Posted:** Tue May 07, 2019 8:54 am

Caught a feeding in progress a few minutes ago. One of the chicks got a foot. It tried to get rid of it, but finally swallowed the thing. Was expecting sunshine this morning, but it does look like the fog is going to lift.

catwoman · **Posted:** Tue May 07, 2019 8:55 am

SWINWK · **Joined:** Wed Jan 02, 2013 10:41 am **Posts:** 12734

Thanks Jane and catwoman! I'm really late this morning and don't see an adult on cam, but I just barely, heard a soft cry from one of them. Maybe one is on the end of the stick preening!!

Edit to add: At 10:00 EDT, I can see Niecey on the shield facing the chicks and Lil Dad on the point preening!

SWINWK · **Joined:** Wed Jan 02, 2013 10:41 am **Posts:** 12734

Niecey has her crew napping in a nearly perfect single row across the nest right now. She is acting as sentry from atop the front shield and Lil Dad just landed on the cam again!

catwoman · **Posted:** Tue May 07, 2019 1:54 pm

heida · **Joined:** Sat Aug 01, 2009 10:24 am **Posts:** 2873

Glad to see these guys are doing so good. Been busy with yard work and watching my new bluebird family. We have 3 new babies this year. Saw all three little heads. Not sure when they hatched. :7val:

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HARRISBURG, MARCH - APRIL, 2019

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