Our box full of Violet Green swallows is trying to fledge.
Started yesterday about mid- afternoon. one of the three nestlings lined up at the slot opening pushed out
and started following one of the parents. They flutter and don't soar, so it's easy to follow them. This only
lasted about two minutes, until the parent made a slow approach to the box and veered off at the last
minute. This meant the fledgling was lined up and headed for the hole. He landed clumsily and had to
shoulder his way back in past other two whose heads were out and waiting for bugs.
It must have inspired the others, because then they all took the leap and pushed out.

After about a minute, the male parent landed on the outside, gave a few chirps and stuck his head inside
the box. I swear he had a surprised look on his face as he left .

But flying is tiring, and they were all back within an hour or so, and ready to be fed.
Now, about 24 hours later, they are going and coming, going and coming - staying out longer and longer -
suddenly teenagers!Clarice Clark
Puyallup, WA. 98371
mailto:jbroadus at seanet.com