Bluebird eggs

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  • #24232
    Robbe
    Participant

      Momma blubird layed 1 egg 3 days ago. No more eggs since then. What happened? Sad and disappointed

      Robbe, West Bend, WI

      #24239
      Carol – Mid-Mo.
      Participant

        Robbe, do you see the male around with Mamma? Don’t give up yet – maybe they just “wern’t in the mood” yet. . . Unusual things do happen, as I have witnessed this past few days when 2 of my 3 babies fledged, and the last one only fledged after 3 days! Wow, was I sweating thinking something was wrong with the bird. The whole family are now in the trees playing and learning.

        #24241
        Julie
        Participant

          The weather has been so up and down here that I’m sure it’s affecting normal processes. Maybe your birds are dealing with things like that, too?? You can always put a long piece of grass sticking out of the hole and see if it moves–that way you know if a bird has gone in. Early in the season the bluebirds left a looooong piece of grass dangling out of the one box hole, and it became so easy for me to see if anything was going in–good or bad–just by the presence of that grass.

          #24242
          Carol – Mid-Mo.
          Participant

            Julie, I had forgoten about the grass in the hole trick – thanks for reminding us.

            #24244
            Robbe
            Participant

              I don’t see the momma. Just the male. He came today and looked in box. It has been 4 days now since the 1st egg was layed. Something must have happened to her😔

              Robbe, West Bend, WI

              #24245
              Robbe
              Participant

                Julie i got the pictures. Thank u and they were in spam. I am new to this bluebird experience. How far apart are your BB boxes? Are they just in your backyard? I have 1 up in my back yard. Been reading that boxes shouldnt be near a barn or paddock. That is where my other 2 are and have sparrows trying to nest. Need to move them. I know the BB like open spaces? None of my boxes are your type Gilbertson. You have better luck with them?

                Robbe, West Bend, WI

                #24265
                Julie
                Participant

                  Robbe, I went with the Gilbertsons because I could manage the pole situation–rebar + piece of electrical conduit that the hardware guys cut for me. I’m not too handy, and mostly do this on my own due to my husband’s wackadoodle work schedule. I also like that they attract chickadees.

                  I also have 2 wooden boxes–they have holes sized for tree swallows because they showed up here one year. I’m in a neighborhood–you can tell how close the neighbor house is on the pics. But I face the boxes toward the open lawn area, and the birds swoop in. The swallow one faces the wrong way per expert advice, but it faces so I can monitor it from my office. I have trouble with sparrows in all of them at times. I usually put a spooker on the swallow box because it’s close to a tree (perfect for HOSP to haunt it!).

                  I have 2 Gilbertsons in the front yard maybe 15 feet apart. I tried to pair them for bluebirds and swallows, following the Sialis.com spacing recs. It didn’t work. It was like WW III in our front yard! We could hardly go out there for all the swooping and divebombing! The blues won out that year, so I spent fall and winter prayerfully pondering. I ordered a swallow box and put it on other side of front yard. Typically the bluebirds ignore it–until this year. I think it must be a new bluebird pair. That’s the story.

                  So glad the pics came thru!!! And yes, btw I have the most HOSP trouble with the houses closest to buildings–a shed and our house. But I use those to trap those buggers using the universal in box trap. It works!

                  #24269
                  Robbe
                  Participant

                    Thank u for replying! I live on the edge of woods with open areas. Thinking of putting one in pasture too. Maybe they will pick that but can’t see from house so will have to walk down there. That’s the only disadvantage to that. Sounds like u have a lot of activity by you! I guess i can only pray the BB pair or a new pair come back! Since momma didn’t come back, now the chickadees are checking it out. Then there are the wrens. Another force to be wreckon with. I have 3 of those boxes right on the edge of woods. Haven’t seen them yet.

                    Robbe, West Bend, WI

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