Baby Alert!

I am happy to report that the hatching of the second brood has begun! Mama is fastidiously attending to them and we are patiently awaiting the other four to arrive.

Meanwhile, the fledglings from the first brood are visiting the Mealworm feeder and irritating Lloyd. They are able to feed themselves, of course, but still adopt the fledgling posture when either parent comes near, flapping and crying, mouths gaping. Lloyd amuses them sometimes, but has also started chasing them away, in an attempt to encourage them to find their own territory. Just like human parents! These guys will be the "rejects" of the summer, hanging around for the next few months, but less tolerated than subsequent broods.

Contrary to information I had previously, the babies from the first do not really help raise the next broods. So much for that sentimental idea! On the bright side, they may flock together in the fall and winter months before separating to pair off and develop their own territories.