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Hi All, Anyone ever had this happen…..2 bluebird eggs in one day? Checked the nest yesterday about 11:30am, there was one egg. I put up the spooker. Checked today about 12:30pm today there are 3 eggs! I put up the wren guard. I couldn’t believe my eyes. What is going on? Are there 2 Mamas?
This is her second nest. First nest hatchlings fledged a week ago Yesterday (Friday). She build a new nest Wednesday and Thursday…..egg #1 was laid Friday (yesterday). I will be excited to check the nest tomorrow. They are not following the rule book 😀
Judy – Michigan
Wow, Judy – this is really different – I have never heard anyone talk about 2 eggs in one day – guess it is possible there are two mamas, but sure hope not – this could cause problems. I’m going to check with Bet Zimmerman Smith (author of the Sialis.org website) and see if she has heard about this – really interesting.
Thanks Carol, It will be interesting to see if she has ever heard of this. Maybe it’s something like twins in the bird world.
Judy – Michigan
Bet’s reply to my question was quote –
“I would say a second female without a box (or maybe a mate) dumped”
This makes sense to me – question will be if YOUR mama blue will go ahead and incubate this egg along with the others – she probably will. Good luck
We have had 6 eggs in a box already this year. Could be another new experience for the group.
David
Stafford, VACarol, thanks for checking with Bet Zimmerman Smith. Sounds like it was maybe a dumped egg. Much better than a cowbird dumped egg. Have not noticed anything strange around the nest. All is well, egg #4 today.
I’m attaching a photo of the nest. Egg #1 looks like it is getting pushed down into the nest. Will mama blue fix it when she is turning the eggs?
Wow David…..you finally got 6 eggs‼️ Must be those super mealworms from your worm farm. Congratulations.
Judy – Michigan
Judy, the comment about the 6 eggs refers to all of the posts from the group about their current nests. I believe Chris reported the 6 eggs.
Your female might be able to move that egg up into the rest of the nest when she starts to incubate and turn the eggs. It looks like there might be a weak spot under that egg. You might be able to stuff some light grass clippings under that spot to lend support but I am not sure that I would try it. Too much chance of the egg dropping out.
David
Stafford, VADavid, thanks for clearing that up….lol, I thought you had a nest of six. Maybe in the next nest.
I agree with your assessment of the nest having a weak spot. I was hoping mama blue would be able to fix it. I’m going to keep my eye on it.
Judy – Michigan
Judy, like David said, Mama should be able to take care of that weak spot and arrange the eggs – she will probably rotate that extra egg just like the rest – means she accepts it – hurrah!
Today is egg #5. Attached photo shows egg #1 is now under the others. I was hoping that mama blue would have fixed it by now. Does she not turn the eggs until she starts incubating? Waiting patiently…..hope she fixes weak spot in the nest.
Judy – Michigan
Judy, I believe that is correct that they do not start rotating the eggs until she begins incubating, which would be after the last egg is laid. Will be an interesting nest – keep us informed. Sure believe David is right about not trying to move the one egg – let them take care of it if needed.
Well today is egg #6. The attached photo shows egg #1 still under all the other eggs. I think this is going to be one of those eggs you find in the bottom of the nest when cleaning it out. We’ll see what happens….I’m starting to think mama blue pushed it down intentionally. Who knows, maybe egg #1 was not hers. She started incubating today.
Judy – Michigan
If it does hatch, the fetus will probably suffocate under the other 5. I have had that happen when one egg hatched late. The other birds had grown to a size that covered the entire nest bottom. Unfortunate, but nature does not do what we would like for it to do.
David
Stafford, VAUpdate on the nest with 2 eggs in one day with a total of 6 eggs. As you know 1 egg was buried in the nest from day one, so I was expecting 5 to hatch. As incubation progressed the buried egg was coming more exposed…..I had high hopes, but turns out that only 3 of the 6 eggs hatched. They are all doing well. The two fledglings from the 1st nesting are allowed to hangout, but are usually chased away from the mealworm feeder by both Mama & Papa Blue. They do not help feed the new hatchlings. When Mom and Pop bluebird are done at the mealworm feeder they are allowed to go in for cleanup. They know the rules….NOT to enter the feeder first. I’m having fun watching the show.
I have 3 other boxes full. Front yard has bluebird nest with 5 eggs (incubating)…..paired with another box ( 15’ apart) occupied with Tree Swallows, 5 hatchlings. Backyard also has paired boxes (the box with 2 bluebird eggs in one day) and the other has Tree Swallows with 6 hatchlings. Still have house wrens trying to build in a box I put up for them to stay busy with. I make sure I remove the sticks daily.
It has been a busy season and I’m a happy camper‼️
Judy – Michigan
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