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I noticed Mama being in the box this morning, at first I thought she was there to lay the 3rd egg but she seemed to be there a long time, so at noon time I went out to feed the new youngsters and Mama flew out of the box. I saw her in there on and off all afternoon so incubation has begun. Looks like there will be 3 new babies if all goes well in the next month. It is such a fun thing to watch the youngsters flying all around through the trees and chasing one another as they soar from one place to another. Papa keeps a close eye on them but they are fending for themselves, dropping down from the trees or clothes poles to catch bugs in the grass or off the sides of tree trunks, and stopping at the bird bath to get a drink or take a dunk.
Connie (PA)Connie, congratulations on 3 new eggs. My 3 fledged last Thursday (one week ago). I’ve seen papa blue in the birdbaths, but not the mama or fledgling. Not sure where they are hanging out. So cool you get to see them hanging out around your yard. Hope you see the youngsters helping out with the new nest. Best of luck to you.
Judy-Michigan
Hi Judy, thank you. I am hoping the youngsters hang around too for the next batch of babies and I get to see them feed them. So far they have been here every day. Of course Mama is busy incubating, and Papa seems to be keeping his eye on his off spring at this time. I did not see the little ones at the bird bath till they had been out of the nest for about 2 weeks, but now I see them almost every day drinking and dunking. Hope you get to see the same.
Connie (PA)Correction Judy, there are 4 eggs in the nest. I was shocked to see this just a little while ago.
It is wonderful, so glad I did not give up and take the boxes down after my bad experiences the last two years. It pays to hang in there and see what Mother Nature throws at you.
Connie (PA)I am so mystified. My four fledged on the 18th and went next door. For the past 2 days no action at the mealworm feeder. I prayer nothing has happened to my sweet brood. Off all day tomorrow so I hope I can get a good view of what the heck is going on. trying to tell myself that there are many bugs out there that they aren’t interested in mealworms but that goes against everything I’ve ever witnessed.
Lisa, I am mystified too, why the whole brood would disappear when they are only fledged for 10 days is a real mystery.
I fed my brood this AM and we were gone for the day, when I went out with mealworms this evening and whistled not one bird showed up, very unusual but a while later I saw Mama in the box and then maybe a half hour later Papa, and finally the whole brood. I thought they had disappeared too but they have all returned.
I hope your next post reports your brood has returned too.
Connie (PA)I haven’t seen the whole brood but I saw a really bully Mockingbird chase one of the blues from the mealworm feeder. Maybe they just decided it’s not worth it? Fingers crossed that they are OK :(
I can’t help but be worried though. I do think I hear the babies next door in the trees. It’s just that this is usually prime mealworm eating time and I’ve never had leftovers. Praying my little family is safe!
Other possibility is that there is a snake in the tree the feeder is hanging from. I looked really closely but they are masters of camouflage.
I also hope they are safe Lisa. I know we worry too much about them, but once you are hooked they become like our responsibility. I hope it isn’t a snake, but moving the feeder might be helpful. It is strange that they aren’t gulping those mealworms down. Keep us up to date on what is going on.
Connie (PA)Thanks Connie…
Some worms missing today but got home from work and put out a fresh handful and not a bluebird in sight. I feel like crying. I cant imagine what could have happened to all 15 blues :(
Praying they are somehow OK.I woke up early this morning and watched and waited and though they didn’t go to the feeder I saw many blues diving for bugs on the golf course. I have terrible eyesight but their flight is so distinct that I feel sure it was them. I really wish I had another pole to hang my feeder from. Might have to get on Amazon…
Lisa, that is great news, at least it gives you a good feeling to know they are still around. Why they do not come for the mealworms is a real mystery. I didn’t get to spend too much time outside today but I am happy to report I am still seeing the young’uns, and they empty the dish of both dried and live mealworms every day. Mama is incubating and Papa checks the eggs every now and then. A nest of robins had one baby fledge today, don’t know how many there are, the nest is in my grape arbor and too high for me to see in.
I hope you get to see those blues coming in for the mealworms soon.
Connie (PA)
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