I'm really glad that Flatwoods Park has reopened, even if it does mean that it's not as peaceful and quiet as when it was closed. Hope everyone is staying healthy! Flatwoods Park reopened today and it was very busy on the trail, but we still have a good weekly report.
We have a total of 52 eggs (48 BB, 4 CC), 49 chicks (47 BB, 2 TM), and 25 fledglings (16 BB, 7 CC, 2 TM). See attached spreadsheet for details. Attached are pictures of bluebird chicks in boxes F7, F14, and F23. Also attached is a picture of bluebird fledglings begging for food from their mother (picture taken off internet). I rarely see the chicks after they fledge so I wanted you to see what the young ones look like once they've left the nest. The chicks never return to the nest once they've fledged, but they do stay with the parents for a long time while the parents teach them how to hunt for food, mainly insects. The chicks will even stay around while their parents build another nest and have more chicks. The older fledglings will help feed and care for the younger chicks.
Besides seeing lots of bluebirds, titmice and chickadees, I was excited to see 4 Summer Tanagers! I've attached pictures of the male, who is red, and the female, who is yellow. Also seen were lots of ground doves, a blue-gray gnatcatcher, and a bobwhite quail.
Blooming along the trail was Beardtongue (Penstemon multiflorus) and in the wetland areas were Spider Lilies (Hymenocallis latifolia), pictures attached.
