Three bluebird fledglings today……..

[blue diamonds]

Yay‼️ I’m so happy this nesting was a total success. Mama and Papa blue did a great job watching over their nest. The nest had 4 eggs, but one didn’t hatch. The unhatched egg color seemed a little off from the others, so I wasn’t surprised when it didn’t hatch. They were all still in the box at 9:30am……at 2:30pm I was looking from the window and saw what looked to be a wren come out of the box. Went out to investigate…..sure enough they had all fledged and a wren was starting to put sticks on top of the nest. I’m shocked on how fast this wren took over.

Took the box down to clean. The nest was in great shape and very dry. Buried under the nesting cup was one more egg. I was looking for blowfly larva….I saw none. My box has 1/4 inch hardware cloth/screen, leaving an air pocket between the nest and the floor of the box. I think it is a big help keeping the nest dry and maybe the larva away.

I hope to be lucky enough to get another nesting. Mr. nasty wren needs to look elsewhere.

Judy-Michigan

[Sassy]

Congrats Judy on a successful fledge. I can feel your joy. I too hope you have another nesting this season.
I am amazed how quick that wren tried to take over the nest but with the box down I hope he becomes discouraged and moves out of the neighborhood.
Connie

[David in Stafford,VA]

Congratulations Judy. Watch the box. I keep my box down and open for about a week after
the fledging. One or both of the parent birds usually comes back and sits on the shepherds hook. That is when I put the box back up again. Hopefully you can keep that wren away. You should start seeing the bluebirds back in a week or so if they are going to try for another nesting this year.

David
Stafford, VA

[blue diamonds]

Thanks for the tip David. I was wondering how long before they return to build another nest. Yesterday was a week……I saw both the male and female show up in the evening, but they didn’t stay long. Saw mister blue today look in the box. I wish I had seen your post last week because I have been removing wren sticks about 3 times a day, for the last week. Wish me luck on getting this wren to move on‼️

Judy-Michigan

[David in Stafford,VA]

I have found that keeping the box down has reduced the presence of the wrens. They are still around but not in the numbers as before and they do not seem to be interested in the box. I have no idea why that is.

David
Stafford, VA

[blue diamonds]

I went out and removed the box. I will put it back when I see the Bluebirds sitting on the shepherds hook. I think it’s a great idea, because the wrens wanted that box in the worst way. I hope it works…..maybe the wrens will find a better spot down the road…lol. Thanks again for that tip.

Judy-Michigan

[Lisa]

Mine started building the day after fledge. I thought I was nuts and didn’t take all of the pine straw out but by day 3 there was a complete nest. Of course if there were wrens around I would have done the same thing. They have 5 babies now which will be their 3rd nest of 5 this year if all goes well.

[blue diamonds]

Lisa, that’s some super fast turnaround‼️ I wonder if it could be a different pair? Having 3 nests with 5 eggs each is awesome. Congratulations.

I took my front yard box in and the very next morning they were out there looking for it. I quickly put the box back out…..wrens returned also. This pair decided to build in the back yard box instead. Might have an egg tomorrow. They had a 10 day turnaround.

I have another pair I hope will be able to get into front BB box when they return. Hoping mr wren finds a girlfriend down the road.

Judy-Michigan

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