Nesting

Now that May has passed and we are well into June, the nature of things has changed considerably regarding bird behavior. Singing has subsided, and the birds are not as visible as they were a month ago. In May, the birds were singing for mates, singing for territory, and sometimes singing for the sake of singing. Now, however, many birds have found those mates and established their territory. No longer is there a need to sing. In fact, singing can attract predators and other unwanted intruders. So the birds, now on the nest, remain quiet. Their activity now is focused on tending to their newborn young. Birders now look for signs of nesting, and this seems to have been a fine year for rearing young. We look now for nests and for other signs of nesting. When we see a bird with food in its bill, we know it's heading back to the nest to feed their young, and it is a sign of another successful spring. The little ones now calling to their parents for food will be the ones we see and hear next May calling out for a new mate. Today's shots include the Worm-eating warbler and Eastern phoebe with food for their young and a nest filled with baby Barn swallows. There is always something happening out there.