What to do with nestbox after fledge?

[LonesomeDuck]

We had our first successful fledge a couple of weeks ago, with 4 or 5 baby blue birds. I am supposed to clean out the nest now, or should I leave it alone? Right now it’s empty, no new eggs or anything just the prior nest material. Do most bluebirds have more than one brood in a year or is one per year more typical?

[dlibby]

Mine fledged a couple of weeks ago also and I emptied the nest right away. They spent time just feeding the fledglings but now are constantly in and out of the box with new nesting material. I even threw a pile of dry pine needles down by the box and it’s all gone which I assume is now in the box. hoping for new eggs any day now.Depending on what state you live in would probably determine on whether they will attempt another nesting. Here in Maine I was cutting it close but everything is a go. Empty quickly and you may see another attempt if they are still around the house at all.

[verachuckdave]

I’m not the most experienced person on this forum (for sure), but once the babies have gone, you can clean out the box. Bluebirds will come back and build another nest for a new brood. I have read here that some people keep the nest. Then if a future nest is infested with pests, they have a fresh nest to “swap.”

I am sure you will receive many more answers to your question with more detailed explanations. Congratulations on your first success of the season. :-)

Susan

Susan
Pennsylvania

[dogsandbirds]

Everything above is correct but please don’t save a used nest. Only save a clean, unused nest. If you find yourself in need of a fresh nest for an assortment of reasons, you can make one that is better than a used nest.

Gin
Atlanta, GA

[Lisa]

Interesting Gin! I’ve never saved a nest because I have a billion pieces of pine straw at all times but what is the reason not to reuse?

[dogsandbirds]

Look closely at a used nest, Lisa. Or maybe not so closely. Those things get very nasty toward the end when housekeeping gets sloppy. There can also be creepy crawly things in there like mites. The cup is also nonexistent.

• This reply was modified 7 years, 9 months ago by dogsandbirds.

Gin
Atlanta, GA

[Lisa]

Thanks Gin! Since I live in pine straw hell I’ve never dreamed of saving one of those old dirty nests. So I feel glad I haven’t!

[verachuckdave]

That makes sense. Sorry for the misinformation. I have never had an abandoned nest that wasn’t used, so I just assumed it had to be a used nest that everyone talks about saving. I’ve never saved a used nest, I just get rid of them. Nesting material is in abundance around my property, so I never worried about it. :-D

Susan
Pennsylvania

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