Fledgling Tree Swallows Learn to Fly
Thursday, July 3rd, 2008
The sunny evening of June 30 we sat on our patio watching the Grebe chicks learn to dive and swim on the lake when Tree Swallow chicks began emerging from the nest box on the Birch tree. One at a time they tumble/flutter/flew from the box onto the lawn and remained almost motionless as they blinked at unfamiliar sunlight and saw the world outside the dark nest box for the first time. Seven tiny chicks dotted the lawn over several hours, some flutter-hopped across the grass trying to gain air speed landing merely feet from their take off point. Others wobbled through the air and found comfort perched on low branches of surrounding trees.
During the entire fledge, the parents darted back and forth overhead, occasionally swooping down to briefly touch each chick giving encouragement and demonstrating how to fly. We are truly blessed to be present and witness this brief moment in time in the life cycle of the Tree Swallow.
Gail Niebrugge, wildlife artist
