Progress

[Sassy]

I checked the box on the 23rd. and there were a few small branches and some dried grass in the shape of a nest, and I have seen Mama going in and out a few times and Papa sitting on the top of the box a few times. The weather has been wet, and I was worried about a nest built with wet material, but I guess they know what they are doing. Tonight I peeked inside and have a gorgeous nest waiting for the first egg. I don’t know if that will be tomorrow or not. Supposed to rain tomorrow morning and Sunday afternoon, and more for Mon. and Tues. Ugh, lots of wet weather this Spring.
Connie

[nhhawk6]

I have gone through the same wet, cold Spring here, Connie. Mama and papa blue took their sweet time building their nest, and although egg laying occurred like clockwork, I grew concerned when it seemed as if mama wasn’t incubating consistently. But all five eggs hatched on day 14, and the rambunctious nestlings are on schedule to fledge on Monday. Like you said, they know what they are doing! I am very proud of my blues; they have been perfect parents to their brood, and we have been very fortunate with regards to predation and competition. All has gone as smoothly as possible (fingers continue to be crossed!). Looking forward to a successful fledge and a rapid turnaround of the nest box. I expect this pair to begin anew in a week, or so. Best of luck to you and your pair!

Randy
Bedford, New Hampshire

[Sassy]

Hi Randy:
I am glad to hear with all the inclement weather you have been having your blues are ready to fledge. You are a ways ahead of me. I will not check the box if it is raining tomorrow but if the afternoon is nice I will have to see if the first egg is there. Then it is a matter of wait and see and keeping my fingers crossed.
I hope if this laying, hatching and fledging is successful, there will be enough time left for a second one. Last year Mama disappeared and there was no second go round.
Will be thinking of you and wishing you luck also, and I will be looking forward to a following up report on your babies.
Connie (PA)

[dogsandbirds]

I once watched a female building in the rain. She would pluck brown pine straw off the trees instead of using what had already fallen. Her nest was dry as could be. You have to trust them because they do know what to do.

Gin
Atlanta, GA

[Sassy]

Hi Gin:
I have to agree, they do know what they are doing. The nest looked as dry as a bone and so beautifully done. This morning around 8:00 AM I saw both mama and papa come swooping down out of the oaks, she landed on the house and he on the arbor. After a few minutes she went inside and he sat and did some wing flaps then took off for the oaks again and she remained in the box. I am thinking it is egg laying time. I will check later if the weather is dry.
Connie (PA)

[Sassy]

Happy to report 2 eggs in the nest this AM, but sorry to say I scared Mama out of the box. I will make sure not to check it till after lunch or later in the evening from now on. I do believe she started with the first egg yesterday and one more today.
Connie (PA)

[Lisa]

I scared my poor bluebird mom out of the house so many times. I felt awful but it takes a lot more for them to leave their babies!

[Carol – Mid-Mo.]

I usually whistle softly when I am not sure she is in there and want to check, or gently tap on the box and she will fly out. This way she is not “scared off” by opening the box.

[Sassy]

Hi Lisa:
I did that last year too, but I have been trying to refrain from that if possible, because if she is laying eggs she may lose one on the flight out or while out. Trying to avoid that if possible. Sometimes we cannot avoid that happening.
Connie (PA)

[Sassy]

Hi Carol:
I never tried whistling but I have tapped gently on the box. I just took it for granted she was not in there, but I won’t make that mistake again, but if she is laying an egg at that time, it may be lost even with the tapping. That is what I am trying to avoid at this point.
Connie (PA)

[Sassy]

The excitement builds, egg #3 today. Am anxiously waiting to see how many babies they will be taking care of. Last year there were 4, maybe this one will lay 5. Time will tell. Can you tell I am a happy landlady?
Connie (PA)

[Carol – Mid-Mo.]

Connie, I never check during the actual egg laying process until around noon. My monitoring I was referring to was after babies are hatched. No, you definitely do not want to spook her off the nest if she is laying eggs or she could possibly drop one on the ground! NO, NO!
Congrats – you deserve to be happy.

[Lisa]

Thanks! Tapping never does the trick for mine! Luckily no eggs have been harmed with my clumsiness!

[dogsandbirds]

Tapping, talking, whistling. I have done all of them. Sometimes a female just will not move, even at 5 in the afternoon. I have had TUTI hiss at me when I opened a box.

Gin
Atlanta, GA

[Sassy]

Hi Carol:
Well since that first experience of scaring her off I happily have not had that happen again. But I have not been checking till after lunch. Today there are 4 eggs and she is not incubating them, so maybe I will luck out with 5 or more this year or maybe she is waiting for a better time. Time will tell.
Connie (PA)

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