American Redstart collecting nest material, Quabbin Park, MA, May 16, 2023
American Redstart building nest, Quabbin Park, MA, May 16, 2023
American Redstart building nest, Quabbin Park, MA, May 16, 2023
I was able to follow the entire nesting cycle of a pair of American Redstarts this spring in Quabbin Park from the beginning of the nest being built, to incubation, nestlings and finally fledging. I first noticed the female starting to build the nest on May 16 and my initial thought was the location was too exposed. It was a spot perhaps 8-10 feet up in a small sapling on a steep slope that put the nest at eye level along the trail. The nesting material seemed to be primarily grasses and spider webs.
American Redstart building nest, Quabbin Park, MA, May 17, 2023
American Redstart building nest, Quabbin Park, MA, May 17, 2023
American Redstart building nest, Quabbin Park, MA, May 17, 2023
I returned the following day and the female was quite busy adding more and more to the nest. I didn't stay around too long as I didn't want to disturb her at all.
American Redstart building nest, Quabbin Park, MA, May 18, 2023
American Redstart building nest, Quabbin Park, MA, May 18, 2023
American Redstart building nest, Quabbin Park, MA, May 18, 2023
American Redstart with nest material, Quabbin Park, MA, May 18, 2023
By the next day on May 18th the nest was getting close to being completed and my earlier worries about the nest being too exposed and obvious were only reinforced as the amount of spider web material had only increased and the bright white material glowed in the sunlight. With little in the way of leaves to shield it at all I didn't expect the nest to be successful. I checked it a couple more times over the next several days but no sign of a bird in the nest. There may have been eggs in the nest at this point but I didn't want to get too close to check and I doubt I would have been able to see into the bottom of the nest even if I wanted to.
American Redstart on nest, Quabbin Park, MA, May 26, 2023
American Redstart on nest, Quabbin Park, MA, May 26, 2023
I finally found the female sitting on the nest on a May 26th visit and by this point the leaves had come out nearly completely and the bright white color on the nest had faded a bit and was not nearly as noticeable. In fact the location was perfectly camouflaged and one could walk right by it and never know it was there. The female seemed to know exactly where a good spot for a nest would be and the leaves provided perfect cover.
American Redstart on nest, Quabbin Park, MA, May 31, 2023
To end out the month of May I checked on the nest as I visited Quabbin Park again and found the female sitting tight on the nest.
American Redstart on nest, Quabbin Park, MA, Jun 6, 2023
A visit on June 6th once again found the female sitting on the nest with no sign of any nestlings yet. There was a male nearby but I never saw him come in while I was there.
American Redstart at nest, Quabbin Park, MA, Jun 7, 2023
American Redstarts at nest, Quabbin Park, MA, Jun 7, 2023
American Redstarts at nest, Quabbin Park, MA, Jun 7, 2023
American Redstarts at nest, Quabbin Park, MA, Jun 7, 2023
The next day found more activity with the female still on the nest but she was more restless and the male was coming into the nest with foods occasionally and appeared to be bringing it to the female. I watched him give her food twice and it appeared she may have been feeding nestlings at that point.
American Redstart on nest, Quabbin Park, MA, Jun 11, 2023
American Redstart on nest, Quabbin Park, MA, Jun 11, 2023
American Redstart on nest, Quabbin Park, MA, Jun 11, 2023
A stop a few days later once again found the female sitting tightly on the nest with no obvious sign of nestlings or the male during the several minutes I watched the nest. I suspect there were nestlings present as she seemed to be sitting up a bit higher than during visits earlier in the nesting cycle.
American Redstarts in nest, Quabbin Park, MA, Jun 15, 2023
American Redstarts in nest, Quabbin Park, MA, Jun 15, 2023
American Redstarts in nest, Quabbin Park, MA, Jun 15, 2023
American Redstarts in nest, Quabbin Park, MA, Jun 15, 2023
American Redstarts in nest, Quabbin Park, MA, Jun 15, 2023
American Redstarts in nest, Quabbin Park, MA, Jun 15, 2023
American Redstarts in nest, Quabbin Park, MA, Jun 15, 2023
My visit to the nest site yesterday found four quite large nestlings being fed by both the male and female and their size pointed toward imminent fledgling (likely within a few days). Thankfully there was no sign of a cowbird chick in among the nestlings as they all appeared to be around the same size. It was very interesting to watch the constant flow of food arriving for the nestlings by the two hard working parents.
American Redstart nest, Quabbin Park, MA, Jun 16, 2023
American Redstart nest, Quabbin Park, MA, Jun 16, 2023
Although limited with time this morning I wanted to make a quick stop by the nest site before the rain arrived overnight and into tomorrow. It appears the nestlings have fledged as the nest was empty and did not appear to have been damaged by a predator. It was great to watch the entire nesting process and hopefully the nestlings make it and will be heading south come fall.
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