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My first nesting of bluebirds fledged 4 with one egg unhatched. Mama blue started a new nest in the same box 3 days later. She laid the first egg on day 8 after babies fledged. Should see egg #3 today. I have not seen any fledglings yet. They have been keeping them high in the trees. Papa and mama blue come down and get live mealworms twice a day. Hoping to see the fledglings soon. I’m happy with the fast turn-a-round on a new nest.
I also have 2 boxes with tree swallows. Each box has 5 babies that will be fledging in the next few days. Even though they see me daily, both sets try to dive bomb me. Sometimes they get pretty close. Their babies are super cute.
The tree swallows paired with the bluebirds is a great help to the success of the bluebird’s nesting because they closely guard both boxes. I have one empty box now…..soon to be 3 empty. Mr. house wren has his own box which he fills daily and I remove sticks daily. So far he has been kept very busy and not bothering any other nests. Yay‼️
Judy-Michigan
Judy, congrats on your first fledging and VERY quickly built new nest and eggs. Yes, TRES are very beautiful and nice to watch, but you also need to watch your head as you said. I had them here 2 or 3 years in a row but they had a failure (all 5 babies died in box believe due to mites) and they haven’t been back. Yes, the wrens can be kept busy putting in sticks all the time – keeps them away from our other nestings, most of the time. I have just set my sparrow trap as the nest was getting tall – probably catch him this morning in less than 30 minutes. Bluebird 2nd nesters due to hatch tomorrow.
Carol….I had no idea that mites could kill a baby bird. That is sad. I have heard others say their TRES had a lot of mites, but mine seem fine.
Did you catch that nasty house sparrow yet? I have been very pleased this year with not too much trouble out of the HOSP. Wrens are my biggest problem. They are all over the neighborhood…..rural area with lots from 1 to 4.5 acres. Maybe 10 houses on our street and everyone has a nicely mowed lawns, not exactly wren type habitat. I walk early in the morning and hear them singing all along the way. I have only heard one other bluebird singing down the street a couple house away. I love to walk early and hear what birds are where.
Happy hatching tomorrow‼️
Judy-Michigan
P.S. I checked at noon and I have bluebird egg #3….yay.
Yup, just went out to check the trap and it was tripped – not l but 2 HOSP, the male & female. I don’t know exactly how this can happen, but I have had this happen about 5 times now. I really don’t enjoy this part of bluebirding, but I know it must be done – if we cannot or unable to protect our bluebirds we truthfully should not invite them to our yards by putting up a box. But sometimes things just need to be adjusted as best we can.
Your area sounds exactly like mine – rural subdivision with lots mostly 2 acres (some 1 acre) and we have 5 acres total, but only use about 2 acres for yard. About 12 homes with nicely mowed yards, etc. Glad you have egg #3. Hope everything turns out well, Judy.
Happy for both of you on your second nests and eggs. My birds started their second nest a day ago and it is almost complete. The fledglings come to the mealworm feeder to be fed, and now they are showing up around noon looking at the feeder. I really want to go out and give them a snack but haven’t fallen for their plot.
David
Stafford, VAJudy, congrats on the quick 2nd nesting!! That’s exciting. As is Carol’s double-catch of HOSP!!! I don’t know how you do that, Carol! I’ve never gotten 2 at once, and I’m a rather persistent trapper. And laugh of the day to you, David, for not falling for their plot!!
Judy, the blues here took 8 days to complete a new nest and then waited another 6 to lay the 1st egg. I was starting to wonder if they had made a dummy nest!
Julie, this CATCH TWO at once is really quite rare – I set several traps in a season and in 13 years only had it happen about 5 times. Someone else here had this experience – don’t remember who.
Carol….2 Hosp in one catch, I’ve never had that! Yay‼️ Yes, our neighborhoods sound very similar. Those wrens need to stop encroaching in our areas go find some nice brushy areas. I wouldn’t mind if they weren’t so destructive to other nestings.
Julie….good luck with your nesting. I’m sure Mr. blue-zer is still doing a terrific job guarding the family.
David…..so funny the fledglings being little beggars. They must be entertaining to watch. I have not seen mine yet, today is day 13 after fledging. How do they keep them up in the trees out of sight for so long? They obviously mind better than children…lol.
Egg #5 yesterday 😁
Judy-Michigan
Judy Congratulations on #5. Nest step is the hatch.
Carol – you are getting to be and “Ace” when it comes to HOSP trapping.
About the birds in the trees – we can only speculate that if mom and dad don’t come back to the nestbox for a while, the little ones will stay where they are. When both parents begin to come back to a feeder or to begin their new nest building, the older fledglings will venture out with them. Once they learn where those delicious mealworms come from they will return more often. Just my thoughts. No evidence that this is the actual way Nature works.
David
Stafford, VA
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