[wisb] Re: Early nesters - early fledgers
- From: "pready tds.net" <pready@xxxxxxx>
- To: calocitta8@xxxxxxxxx, wisbirdn@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
- Date: Wed, 6 May 2009 06:47:54 -0500
The jays I observed were 2 adults and 3 "other" jays on a branch. The 2
adults appeared to be gleaning insects from the oaks and going to the branch
and feeding the 3 others. I assumed they were feeding young fledglings. I
thought of getting some photos of this activity but they were too high up
and the lighting pretty poor for photography. That sure looked like
fledgling feeding behavior to me. At first when I saw a jay feeding a jay I
thought courtship too. But then there were 5 jays and it looked more like a
family. Jays do socialize in small flocks but I've never seen them do this
behavior.
Pat Ready
Stoughton
Dane Co
On Wed, May 6, 2009 at 6:30 AM, Jesse Ellis <calocitta8@xxxxxxxxx> wrote:
> Pat and all-
>
> Crossbills and Siskins are actually opportunistic breeders. If they hit a
> spot with enough food, they'll breed, occasionally resulting in February
> nest records, at least for the crossbills. The Purple Finch I saw was big,
> nearly full sized, and just a little fluffy still. That probably means he
> was from an egg laid in mid/late March?
>
> I'm also surprised to hear of Blue Jays fledgling this early. While not
> complete, Birds of North America Online suggests that egg dates for Blue
> Jays should be late april-early May this far north. Jays take a while to
> fledge (17-21 days) so those jays were pushing it. I only yesterday saw nest
> building activity. Could these have been courtship feedings? Jays do a lot
> of that, too.
>
> I've got a Bay-breast (I think!) singing from my yard this wet morning...
>
> Jesse Ellis
> Madison, Dane Co.
>
>
> On Tue, May 5, 2009 at 10:32 PM, pready tds.net <pready@xxxxxxx> wrote:
>
>> Mary had early bluebirds in Onalaska and Jesse reported house finches
>> fledged too.
>> In my yard during this past week I've seen pine siskins feeding young near
>> my thistle feeder and tonight after work I stopped at Pheasant Branch and
>> saw blue jays feeding new fledglings. Didn't know so many species nested
>> this early in Wis. One would assume they will double nest and raise another
>> brood yet. I've never seen pine siskins with young around here before.
>> Should I tell Al Gore? ;^)
>>
>> Pat Ready
>> Stoughton
>> Dane Co
>>
>
>
>
> --
> Jesse Ellis
> Madison, Dane Co, WI
>
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