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We were in Texas the past few days visiting our family and got home Sunday evening around dark. I knew the BB babies were due to hatch about then & first thing we did Sunday was check the box and the 5 babies had hatched on schedule. It was in the upper 90’s today so I am a little concerned about the heat but I do have a good heat shield on the box, along with wren guard and spooker. I did see parents go in and out so believe they have been feeding the babies well. I am still feeding worms but have had to cut back on the number because I cannot get a new batch due to the heat. But they seem to be going well – this makes me believe even more that they need natural food and just keep those worms for “treats”. I love to watch them feed the fledglings when they come to the feeder and beg for the worms. I’m kind of hoping they quit after this box #3, as they are wearing me out worrying about them. (not really – love it but it is very time consuming) Hope this heat subsides somewhat but according to the weather reports it is will remain in the upper 90’s all week.
P.S. have also been taking care of the HOSP which have been building nests in a back nestbox. They are persistent but so am I!Congrats Carol!! My pair are prepping for a 3rd brood now! I’m so excited over this because they usually are done after 2 broods here where I live.
Dana
(does happy dance or in this case a flip lol) Do you think it’s too late to be hoping for a nesting? At the community garden, our babies successfully fledged and we’re wondering if they might build again, and in my garden, my box has been empty all summer … we are in MA.
Not sure about your locale, but it is getting a little late for another nest, but not impossible. In going through my records I only had 4 nestings one time in over 14 years, most ending in mid July, which is where my 3rd nest of 5 blues are now – ready to fledge in about 6 or 7 days. But this is a fairly new pair (only 2 years here) and they seem to be very determined to lay those eggs!!
So you’re saying things basically wrap up by mid-July, in your experience? Tbh that’s my experience too, I don’t recall ever having boxes to watch over in August. I’m just so disappointed! I really shouldn’t be … we had a beautiful nest in the community garden with much less trouble than usual, and then the “surprise nest” I discovered as well, at the historic house site. I’m just (privately) crushed that while my bluebirds came back for two visits to check out the box in my home garden, they didn’t stick around and nest. I frightened them away with that DUMB HOLE EXTENDER I PUT ON AARGH :(( not realizing they don’t like that at all, and I kept hoping they’d come back to see I’d taken it down …
I have a robin’s nest right outside my door and I can peek right in and it’s adorable, but there’s nothing like having bluebirds raising a family in your garden.Sky, usually mine are done by now (Central PA), but this year with this new pair I have a nesting going right now! She started incubating Sunday. I think there are 3 eggs, but will check later this week for final count. We’re trying to let them alone this time since they were so aggressive previously. I want to be able to walk thru the front yard and tend the garden! I’ll say fingers crossed for another nesting for you. I have never had one this late. So anything can happen!!
Sky, my experience has been much the same as Carol and the others – except for this year. While we usually have the 3rd nest fledged by late July, mine will complete their 2nd nest by the end of the month. That should be the end of this years cycle, But with the very late start the they had this year- I wouldn’t be surprised to see another attempt from this pair. You just can’t predict what nature might have in mind. With Carol’s 3rd fledging soon, she could see a 4th this season if it doesn’t cool down.
David
Stafford, VA
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