Post contributed by Sharon, volunteer bluebird trail monitor:
Bluebird and cowbird eggs |
So far this nesting season 19 bluebirds and 9 chickadees
have fledged from the 11 boxes on the trail. In round number two of nesting,
there are currently 8 bluebird eggs and 3 cowbird eggs in 5 bluebird nests.
Cowbirds lay their eggs in the nests of other birds, usually one or two eggs
per nest. The cowbird eggs hatch sooner and the young birds grow faster, giving
them an advantage over their host birds. Up to 11 tree swallows will fledge in
the next week. Four boxes are now empty.