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I can’t wait to see how this goes! Rooting for single mom’s success! Hope she does well, and glad she doesn’t have 5 to take care of!
That’s what I’ve been thinking, Lisa. I’m glad there are only two nestlings. I sent a photo to my bander and she agrees they no way look 9 days old; she suggested 5-7 days.
I hope Leah knows what she is doing. She reminds me of an unprepared teenage mom. And now I am hoping she doesn’t get distracted with the very handsome blue male that is tending 4 nestlings at our place and forget her babies. His mate disappeared soon after his 4 fledged. And I saw her yesterday sitting on top of our bluebird box. So we are watching our very own bluebird soap opera.
Cari
Willamette Valley, OregonLove it Cari, keep us posted. And praying you don’t get that awful heat this year!. We are more normal this year, in the 90’s, so I worry. But last year mine kept going until August. Hope this is the last brood.
The babies are growing, gaining tail feathers, chirping. And I will say Leah keeps their nest spit spot clean. But she spends an inordinate amount of time over here in Mr. Handsome’s territory. Mr. Handsome is a wonderful father and has taken very good care of his 4 fledglings since they fledged June 2. They will be 5 weeks old this weekend.
But now I see him frequently out with the empty bluebird box, above it or near it and even have seen him go inside. It is like he is holding onto this property until the right female comes along and is willing to go inside with him. (Our mama BB disappeared soon after the babies fledged.) And sometimes I see Leah with him.
Meanwhile Leah sometimes takes worms from his feeding station and delivers them to her nestlings. He sometimes takes worms from her station and brings them back to his fledglings. And I have even seen the fledglings gather with him at Leah’s station, which is in Jacob’s territory. So much for territorial bluebirds! I guess Leah forgot to read that expectation.
Cari
Willamette Valley, OregonThis is an amazing thread – with the two different mamas & one male. Almost one for the book I believe!
On Sunday afternoon Leah’s two nestlings were banded at 18 days old. Normally they would be banded more like around 10-12 days, but their early slow maturation delayed the occasion. On their banding day they appeared very healthy and will likely fledge this week.
Cari
Willamette Valley, OregonToday’s positive news: Looks like one has fledged and Leah is taking mealworms where it is hiding out in a huge oak tree.
Today’s very bad news: The other almost ready to fledge baby is dead.Yesterday I discovered house wrens nesting nearby. But I figured these two were almost ready to fledge and if they made it this far, they would probably be fine.
But today after discovering the one dead bluebird lying on its back, I also checked the tree swallow nest near it and found two dead nestings. I also wonder if the fledged one went a tad early to escape.
I can’t help wondering if my disturbing the wrens upset them and put them in a territorial mood. And I know they are protected and have a right to life too, but the temptation to discard the nest of wren nestlings is pretty overwhelming.
I have never had to deal with house wrens, but am remembering that the bluebird hatchlings in that box last summer also died mysteriously. In that case I didn’t think it looked like a sparrow attack.
How can I know if this was a wren attack?
Cari
Willamette Valley, OregonI have never ever heard of a wren pecking an almost ready to fledge baby bird to death. I think they are only a danger to eggs and up to five day old nestlings. From what I’ve heard from people that have issues is …they don’t even peck the nestlings to death…they just remove them from the nest. Gin…what is your opinion?
Tammy
Tammy, I haven’t witnessed a wren pecking chicks in the nest but I don’t put much past them. They are for sure a danger to eggs and nestlings, even after 5 days. And, yes, they seem to just remove anything not too heavy for them to carry.
I wouldn’t think they would peck nestlings as old as these. If there are no HOSP around and the hole is 1.50 inches that would stop jays, crows, EUST, etc. BUT if the hole is larger there is danger from all of those.
Gin
Atlanta, GA
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