Flown the Coop (?)

The nest in the garage looks empty today. The jays are still patrolling the area, so I haven't climbed up to take a look inside it (I duck every time I hear the whir of wings over my head). I'm pretty sure one youngster was taken by one of the many neighborhood cats - a fledgling was on the floor in the garage again late last week and I didn't put it back in the nest because the parents were very protective. That evening as I sat at the kitchen table, I heard the adults make a huge ruckus, and I can only assume a predator made off with the chick. Still, that left three fledglings. I hope that's them fluttering around in the trees near the driveway.

As for the wrens: I receive a thorough scolding every time I'm in the vegetable garden, but I've seen no sign of chicks.

A juvenile cardinal flew through the backyard today, trailed by both parents, chirping loudly, like mom and dad cheering behind a kid on a new bike.