One blue egg yesterday, waiting today for another.

[Carol – Mid-Mo.]

Well, I have my first BB egg, laid yesterday. I put up the spooker – got up bright & early this morning to be sure she would go in & lay another egg. Saw papa blue on top of the spooker first and then I believe saw her go inside the nest. This box is quite a distance from my house so have to see everything from binoculars. We have had 2 or 3 very warm days, which I believe prompted this first egg, but is supposed to turn cool again – I might cover up vents some. I also noticed that ants are starting their yearly outbreaks, so we greased the BB nestboox pole good yesterday, with heavy axle grease that doesn’t wash away. One year I forgot to do this and had a heavy infestation of ants and had to switch out nest for a clean one – don’t want to have to do this again!
P.S. I sure wish the winter birds (juncos & white-crowned sparrows) would go home. I want to start feeding the blues their meal worms but can’t do this with those other birds around – once in a while I find the blues by themselves and put out a few.

[blue diamonds]

Congratulations Carol‼️ So exciting, hope you get the second egg today. We are having an early spring here also. Yesterday one of the blues started nest building in the front paired box. I think she might be new at this……the nest looks messy so far, must plan on shaping it after getting the materialS in. TRES have claimed a backyard paired box, but have not started a nest yet. Enjoying all the bird action, since we are suppose to stay home except for essential things.

Stay well everyone,
Judy-Michigan

[Sassy]

Carol, that is great news. I hope all goes well and you get a big clutch. Anxiously waiting to share the joy with you.
Connie

[Carol – Mid-Mo.]

Judy & Connie – yep, got the 2nd blue egg today. Mama took to the spooker fine (she was used to one from previous years) so I put up the wren guard today. Didn’t think wrens were here yet, but hubby reminded me that we had spotted one a week or two ago. So, have my pole greased, sparrow spooker up, wren guard on and baffle under pole. Whew, those little birds are lots of work, but enjoy every minute of it! Judy, your mama blue had better get in gear and shape up that nest, huh! Yes, they are giving us some joy and/or entertainment during this trying time.

P.S. I e-mailed Bet Zimmerman about plugging up some of the vents for the upcoming cool/cold spell the next 10 days or so. Hope to hear from her soon.

[Sassy]

Carol, sounds like you are well prepared for just about any contingency. I truly am happy for you. Keep us informed on the progress. I look forward to your posts.
Connie

[blue diamonds]

Yay…..two eggs, that’s great news Carol. I hope she lays 6 eggs for you. That would be really neat‼️ Sounds like you have everything under control and really for a lot of blue joy. As far as the weather goes cold evenings will be ok as long as they are not below freezing….right? With this early start maybe you will get 3 broods.

That is so cute how you have to sneak the meal worms out to the blues. They are lucky to have you looking out for them. Happy birding.

Judy-Michigan

[Carol – Mid-Mo.]

Hi y’all. Yes, waiting for egg #3 this morning but I have seen mama & papa quite a bit here close to my home eating suet (& very few worms) this morning. Maybe after they are full, she will get busy and get on that nest to lay egg #3. As far as cold weather, it was around 40 degrees this morning and tonight is predicted low of 29 degrees. I did cover one vent last night with small piece of heavy cardboard & might cover the other one later today. Bet Zimmerman says go ahead with this – that too cold can render the eggs infertile.

[Carol – Mid-Mo.]

YEAH, 4TH egg was laid this morning. Sure hope they make it. We had 30 degrees this morning when I got up – birdbath was frozen solid (I had taken out the warmer & forgot about it). I covered some rose bushes and clematis vines preparing for the freeze and unwrapped them this morning and all looks well. BUT Sunday & Monday nights are supposed to have a freeze warning, also. UGH. Oh well, can’t stop mother nature.

[Dana]

Carol – I’m keeping my fingers crossed the eggs in your nestbox will be okay during the cold snap. Has the female laid a 5th egg yet? She should start incubating them soon.

[Sassy]

Oh Wow Carol, 4 eggs, that is wonderful. Hope everything is going great with this cold weather. It is only in the 40’s here during the day all week long and into the 20’s at night. Maybe those eggs the dees ruined would not have made it anyhow. Mama built a new nest in the second box, but as of yesterday no eggs.
Connie

[Carol – Mid-Mo.]

Yes, Connie & Dana, 5 eggs and she has been incubating since Saturday. Just hope she stays on them enough to keep them warm – Mother Nature will tell soon. Good luck to you all & everyone!

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