Four birds fledge, Blogger caretaker gets a B for this BUT WE ARE FINE

I recommend the nest boxes that have the slot at the top. I've never had any predators get in, and if you have a smart phone, you can check on the birds' welfare without opening the box. Just slide the phone top in, use a flash.

Those are in fact swallows peeking out. Anyway, I did not follow my own advice. I had already photographed the Box 16 nestlings and seen that they were fully grown. Just then the thought came that I would never see these again. Only a few times have I seen the fledged birds hang out by the nest box for even hours after they fledge. So I opened the box to get a little better view with sunlight. The parents had been freaking out about me. I should have known they knew the chicks would fledge today.

And with my improved photo, the first one flew out:

I tried to carefully (you don't want to slam the door on any bird no matter what) close the door, but a second one slipped out as I got the nail back on. Then I went to check the wrens and ten minutes later (camera in slot) the remaining two had gone. I can only presume I did the parents a favor. They need to coax (feed less etc.) the birds to leave at the end. They landed all over, and hid in the grass and flowers at first. Stepping very carefully, I retreated. The birds will need to make it some 20-30 feet to the tree line by the golf course to be safe in the trees.

House wrens (6) are coming along nicely, and will be out in a week or so. The bills are already getting longer wren shape.