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Well, my 3rd nesting of blues fledged last evening (just before dark!!). We actually got to see 3 of them fledge! – one fledged this morning I believe – he was still peeking when it turned dark. There were 5 eggs but only 4 hatched – one egg was buried and I thought all 5 had hatched. This is the 2nd time this year one egg did not hatch and on 2nd nest I found one dead in nest, probably 8 days old or so. Don’t know what happened, but my gut tells me the box was too small for 5 babies in hot weather. NOW, my problem is that I am almost out of mealworms and no one (close to me) is shipping because of the heat. I did manage to get a small amount (about 300) from a small PetSmart store when I was in Sedalia shopping yesterday, but that won’t last but a week or so. I thought parents had chased off the previous 2 nests of juveniles, but they are still around when it is worm time. But once in a while I did see them feeding the babies in the box. Well, they will just have to find the food on their own, which is a good thing. I will cut down to feeding to once a day now that babies are out of box. I have seen parents find lots of worms, grubs, etc., so the food is there.
Carol, congrats on your third fledge, it is so cool to see how well they can fly right out of the nest. My last fledge is still coming for their evening feeding of dried and live mealworms, and I do believe they are the birds I see when I walk down past the farm. I will surely miss them when they leave.
ConnieCongratulations Carol. I agree on the size of the box. I am thinking about building a new on this winter with a 5 1/2″ base to see if that improves the survivability of a 5 egg clutch.
My 3rd group is fledging right now. Still have 1 of the 4 in the box. (Photos in new thread)
It has been a good year.
David
Stafford, VACongratulations Carol‼️ Sounds like this group managed to fledge in better weather. That’s a good thing. I wonder why they chose to fledge just before dark…seems like one more night in the cozy box might have been have been good.
I purchased a new box for next season……made sure I got one with the 5 inch floor. None were perfect, so I made a few modifications to make it better for the blues. I put it out so it could get weathered. Hoping they like it. We’ll see.
Judy-Michigan
Carol, how is your mealworm situation coming along? Will they eat dried mealworms if you soak them in water? I’ve tried dry mealworms, but I have never seen them eat them. I’m not seeing any bluebirds hanging out….maybe gone for the winter.
Judy-Michigan
Judy, my mealworm situation is VERY low. I have enough for maybe 3 or 4 days. The worm farm which I use said they may start shipping again tomorrow, but I’ll wait & see. I get them the very next day or 2nd day with just regular shipping, not next day extra postage or anything! That means a lot. I have cut down to one feeding a day with less than usual. No, my blues will not eat dried mealworms when they have been used to live ones. Just know this from many, many others reporting this. We have had plenty of rain and there are lots of bugs, willy worms & other insects out there, so they do have food. All of my previous fledgings have stayed around (parents have not kicked them out yet), so it is taking lots & lots of worms. But I did see them feed the last babies in the nest, so they may be taking some to the newly fledged ones, which would be great! My blues do stay around all winter – I begin feeding them homemade peanut butter suet beginning late October. And yes, they do pout when there are no worms for a day or so!
Bird Parents – don’t you know when it is ready to tell those young ones that it is time they were out on their own! READ THE RULE BOOKS!Sounds like the mealworms will get delivered just in time‼️ That’s a real good deal to get fast delivery for no extra charge. Overnight delivery is super expensive. I hope your blues appreciate all you do for them……you’re an excellent caregiver. Our reward is getting to see them in our yards. Enjoy your blues, having them year round is such a bonus. Happy birding.
Judy-Michigan
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