New nest

[David in Stafford,VA]

Well I made a big mistake. After taking the old nest down to a level below the hole I didn’t see either of the birds for 2 days. Then the male came back alone and was singing his heart out – which I took as him looking for a new mate. So I went out and took out the remaining nest and cleaned the box.
On Friday I was doing some work in the yard and looked in the box. Yea a new nest started.

No activity yesterday. But I looked in today and found this!!!

I am glad that I didn’t destroy that earlier nest. I removed the egg and put it on a clump of grass clipping that I brought from my pile while I tried to restore the nest. Got it pretty good but I hope Mama bird will take care of my terrible redecorating of her house.

I don’t think that I have it high as sen did bit ther is a good cushion of grass under the eggs. I think that she will pack it down if I have not scared completely away. I never saw either bird while I was working on the “rebuilding”. Here is the result. I am going to keep “social distance” for awhile

• This topic was modified 3 years, 7 months ago by David in Stafford,VA.

David
Stafford, VA

[Carol – Mid-Mo.]

Wow, David, what a story – I bet for sure she will be back even with your redecorating (which looks great). Good Luck!

[David in Stafford,VA]

Thanks Carol. I am looking forward to tomorrow to see if she continues with this nesting.

David
Stafford, VA

[blue diamonds]

David….I think mama blue will be very happy with your nest. I bet you were shocked when you saw that egg laying there. Good thing you had the nest to return to the box! All is well……maybe this is the year you get a nest with 6 eggs😳.

Judy-Michigan

[David in Stafford,VA]

Thanks Carol and Judy. Wouldn’t that be a treat? 6 eggs. I’m not sure they would all fit it this box. I have started to collect some wood from trees that I have cut down to see if I can build a 5 1/2″ square floor Peterson nestbox. I just have to get a “ripping” chain for my saw.

David
Stafford, VA

[David in Stafford,VA]

It is overcast with drizzle right now. I looked out back to see if the blues were doing anything and both were carrying material to the box, so there is some “redecorating” my “renovation” going on. I took these with my iPhone as i had moved my big camera back to the drawer after the previous error.

Mom bird after putting material in the box

Dad bird following delivery

I will try to get some better photos later. I am just so glad that they have returned.

David
Stafford, VA

[David in Stafford,VA]

Another reason to build a new nestbox. A woodpecker is trying to get in. You can see a hole that I covered last year on the back of the box in one of the photos above. I am going to cover this with a piece of metal. I might even cover the whole side and use a 1/2″ spacer to provide some air flow so it doesn’t get moldy.

David
Stafford, VA

[David in Stafford,VA]

The saga continues – Looked in on the new nest this morning and found the egg missing. Nowhere to be found. I looked all around the base and immediate area to see if a wren or sparrow might have take it but found nothing. Mom & Dad bird have been on he post most of the day. I wonder if the egg was from an earlier female or another pair. Guess that I will just have to watch and wait.

David
Stafford, VA

[David in Stafford,VA]

It looks like mama bird is still “remodeling”

David
Stafford, VA

[Julie]

This is quite a saga, David! Thank you for keeping up updated. Fingers crossed for a nice, egg-filled nest!

[blue diamonds]

So…..the egg is missing, that is strange‼️ They keep us wondering what is going on, but I’m sure they wondered where did our nest go? Then the nest reappears….the plot thickens. David, enjoying the story and all the beautiful pictures. Keep us posted on chapter #2.

I thought the weather was getting better, but today we had more snow and still below freezing temperatures at night. I have a pair of bluebirds that built nests in both front paired boxes. They keep watch over the boxes….no eggs yet. The back boxes have a pair of tree swallows guarding both boxes daily. They have a nest started in one box, no eggs.

Where is SPRING❓
Judy-Michigan

[Sassy]

David, how are things going with the man made nest? There seems to be a lot of strange happenings with our feathered friends this year. I moved the nest from one box to another and the pair accepted it with the one egg I found on the bare floor until the nasty Chickadee destroyed it too. Now they have a new nest built and 5 eggs in it. Good Luck with your pair. Hope you get a nest full.
Connie

[David in Stafford,VA]

Still no egg activity and I haven’t seen them putting any more grass in the box so maybe she is finished with the nest. Both have just been sitting on the shepherd’s hook, looking pretty. The male really shines when the sun is out. I took these photos this morning on a cool, overcast day. He still looks nice though.

David
Stafford, VA

[Carol – Mid-Mo.]

Yes, very handsome – thanks for the photos, David. Hope she lays that first egg soon!

[Sassy]

Very handsome fellow David, hope they get down to business soon. Keep us informed.
Connie

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