Our 2nd nest of 4 bluebirds fledged on Tuesday this week–Aug 9. They made it through the heat wave and fledged on Day 16. They were hanging out of the box hole for two days prior. It occurred to me today maybe they’re out so fast because the bugs their parents were feeding them are gigantic at this point in the summer…and they’re probably happy to escape that hot box.
One interesting thing I observed: The young from the first brood helped to feed this batch. They would sit on the street light arm or the nest box with Papa Blue there, too. Both birds would have bugs in beaks for the babies. Papa would chirp and wing wave, clearly instructing the 1st brood birds on when to go to the nest box hole. I saw this several times when I was outside watering flower pots nearby. It was fascinating to watch. Other times, the 1st brood bird would sit on the street light arm while Papa Blue landed on the box (didn’t feed babies), gave the all-clear chirpy signal and flew off, and THEN the 1st brood bird would come to the box and feed the babies.
Anyway, just wanted to share the news for David’s count. This morning as I cleaned the box Papa Blue was sitting on our house chimney singing. Niiiice!!!