Home › Forums › Bluebird Chatter › Need a little advice
- This topic has 10 replies, 4 voices, and was last updated 5 years, 6 months ago by Sassy.
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April 17, 2019 at 11:14 pm #7086
Hi Everyone, today I saw the BB’s at the box a lot. I am guessing it is either a new pair or a new female. The male entered more than the female and he carried pieces of the nest out and at times took a piece of dried fiber in. At one point the female entered for quite some time, then they both left. The nest was pretty wet so I removed it and left it sit out on the steps in the sunshine for a while and the pair came back and the male was calling to the female and she flew down and checked the box and they both left. I got my blow drier out and dried the nest and put it back in the box. I saw the pair once after that and the female had something in her mouth but something spooked them and they left. I am wondering if putting the nest back was the right thing to do or what your opinion is? This female is not clinging to the screens and acting like the other one did, so I am sort of thinking it is a different bird and maybe he is too.
Connie (PA)April 18, 2019 at 8:24 pm #7087I wouldn’t ever worry about putting a partial or complete nest. If it’s not to her liking the female won’t hesitate to remove things and do it her way. The main thing is the box, not the contents.
Gin
Atlanta, GAApril 19, 2019 at 7:09 pm #7092Wow Gin thank you, I did not know that. The pair was at the box this morning and she did remove a piece of grass after spending some time in there doing something, and off they went. I did remove the nest from the back yard box hoping another pair might come along and use it. I see Papa look in there from time to time but they don’t seem to spend any length of time around it. I hope that wasn’t a mistake. I kept the nest just in case I need it. It had no bottom to it at all. Maybe that happens more than I know too.
Connie (PA)April 19, 2019 at 7:55 pm #7094Sometimes people think birds want the box completely empty but that is not always the case. A clean box, yes. But empty is not so necessary. They absolutely will build a new nest on top of a used nest also. EABL will also build on top of another species nest and even remove those eggs. Been there.
I have seen too many nests with very little to no bottom. Most of the time I gather a small handful of whatever comprises the nest and tuck that under what is there. The bird never knows!
Gin
Atlanta, GAApril 19, 2019 at 9:44 pm #7097I have seen too many nests with very little to no bottom. Most of the time I gather a small handful of whatever comprises the nest and tuck that under what is there. The bird never knows!
Exactly what I did with the nest this year. A completely bare bottom. I took a pinch of grass clippings from the pile that they never used and put it in the bottom. She sat on it shaping it into the cup and is laying eggs on it.
David
Stafford, VAApril 20, 2019 at 11:21 pm #7100I am in awe with the knowledge and kindness of this group. I will return the nest to the second box with some dried grass and see if another bluebird makes it a home.
Thanks for enhancing my knowledge.
On another note mama was building like crazy this morning and she removed the leaves that were in the nest.
ConnieApril 21, 2019 at 8:31 pm #7102Or you could save the nest that wasn’t used. When that happens here I usually save it and today I did need an extra nest. Went out to check the 5 day old chicks and discovered ants. Argh! Took the chicks out, killed all the ants, replaced their nest with one I had (and had to add some extra pine straw since that one was sparse on the bottom), replaced the chicks after checking for ants on their bodies, greased the pole again and done. All the time with adult scolding going on.
I had 3 CACH nests in reserve since they often fail and only one EABL nest. Whew.
Gin
Atlanta, GAApril 21, 2019 at 10:48 pm #7103Gin, How do you keep the nests – plastic bag, covered box, etc? Do you treat them in any way to keep mites and other little bugs from “preserving” with them?
- This reply was modified 5 years, 6 months ago by David in Stafford,VA.
David
Stafford, VAApril 22, 2019 at 2:00 pm #7105One way to preserve nests is to place in a plastic container and freeze. Hopefully that will take care of any critters.
Cari
Willamette Valley, OregonApril 23, 2019 at 7:13 am #7108I always put them in a clear plastic bag so I can see what kind of nest is in there. Anything alive in there will die pretty quickly so no need to worry about that.
Gin
Atlanta, GAApril 25, 2019 at 2:09 pm #7111Hi Gin:
I did save the nest that was not used in the back box. I have it sealed in a plastic bag. In the meantime Mama built a gorgeous nest in the front box. I took pictures of it because she did a better job than any previous birds ever did. She and he come and check it out and I have seen them put a Chickadee off the front of the box several times, but so far not a single egg. I guess they are waiting for warmer weather, and I am overly anxious, but I know in due time nature will take its course.
Thanks again.Connie (PA)
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