Mid-Summer Quiet

Mid-July is a quiet part of the summer for birds. Most birds have nested and the young have fledged. Most adults species will still be feeding the fledglings after they have left the nest. Some species will have a second brood such as cardinals, robins, bluebirds and wrens.

Female Goldfinch

Goldfinches are an exception as they begin nesting in July when the thistles have bloomed to provide down for their nests and food for their young. They feed their nestlings an all-seed diet rather than insects so starting later to nest when the plants have gone to seed is crucial.

A fledging golfinch in the second week of August

July is the time here when ducks and geese undergo an extensive molt of their feathers including their flight feathers. This is called simultaneous wing molt which leaves the birds unable to fly and vulnerable to predation. Ducks and geese seek out safe water areas to go into hiding for a couple of weeks until they can regain the ability to fly.

Photographed in mid-July a few years ago, this was a late brood of Wood Ducks getting close to molt time for the female. What is incredible about this photo is the survival rate of this brood - twelve ducklings of this larger size is beating the odds for Wood Ducks!