Wild bird numbers peak this time of year, when the youngsters leave the nest and head out into the big, wide world. A pair of hairy woodpeckers nested in our yard this summer, and the juveniles just fledged a few days ago. The first chick practically falls out while watching a nuthatch. The next two go for it with a leap, but the third chick misses the branch and lands in the lichen instead. All made it away safely.
