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Connie, yes, so glad to hear from you – I about had a stroke when this forum went down!!!
Anyway, my pair were VERY early this year, first egg was on March 25, and they are now 10 days old, with parents feeding them mealworms which I provide. I was really worried about this early nesting because we have had either 2 or 3 freezes, plus very cool temps during the daytime for most of their nesting, but mama and papa blue did a fantastic job of keeping eggs and babies warm. I have not had them that aggressive toward me – they know where their goodies come from!! Good luck
Julie, hope you get your blues back – one year I had the same problem with some roofing work being done but they stuck around their nest anyway.
When I have had to use a a “guardian” because something (squirrels or woodpeckers?) had chewed up the hole & made it larger, I put on the same 1 1/2 inch (using about 1/4″ thick wood) size piece to cover up the chewed hole – dear hubby has lots of shop equipment and has a drill that will make exact size round holes. Maybe others here have had some experience with this. P.S. What we have put on is a “round” hole guardian – Believe there may be other “long” types ?????
David, didn’t you tell those silly birds to get busy – what’s their idea to leave you alone anyway? Give them a good spanking (HA,HA)!
Congrats, Dana. As far as the number of eggs laid, it will vary upon the weather, area, etc. It is very possible this is her first year, as you don’t usually hear of only 3 eggs until the end of a season. Good luck!
Lisa, I know exactly what you mean about having a positive thing to do during this pandemic, etc. It has saved a lot of people from having severe mental problems I believe.
Okay, on the live mealworms, yes, the cage feeder is expensive but I believe it would be worth the expense and they probably last years (my husband was a welder and made my cage feeder with the 1/2″ distance for spindles, etc. I have had it probably since I began bluebirding.) about the parents knowing about not feeding the dried worms to the babies, I believe you would have no problem there as when there are live worms available they are going to use them. But since I have never used dried worms, I really can’t tell you for sure, but I would not have them available as the parents may get confused and yes, babies SHOULD NOT be fed dried worms – they are not nutritious enough for babies. The parents will not feed the worms until they are 2 or 3 days old from my experience – they will hunt and get bugs, etc. for them. I believe the recommended number of worms (for when the babies get larger) is 10 worms per bird two times a day (morning and late afternoon). I sure don’t count and don’t panic if I can’t always do this because of being out of town or something, but that is the general number from all information available. After the birds fledge (leave the nest) the parents will take them off site for about 10 days or so to learn how to hunt and then bring them back to the feeder – this is when the l0 worms per bird two times a day will be helpful. Please don’t overfeed them, however, – they need the bugs, etc. for other nutrition – worms are just a “dessert”. P.S. the website which is my (and most people here) bible for bluebirding is http://www.sialis.org Check on it.Lisa, congrats on your bluebird eggs which are due to hatch soon. All I can say is keep trying – once they find the live worms they will probably have no use for the dried ones. It is mainly mind over matter – yes, those cardinals will eat them up if they are not in a cage feeder where they cannot get in. A glass bowl is good, but not a paper plate as the worms will wiggle out anything not slippery. My newborn blues (almost a week old) are getting a few worms taken to them by the parents, but I don’t feed them all they want, as I am a true believer that they need the natural food (bugs, etc.) and then a few worms to tide them over. My worms are in a glass bowl inside of a cage-style feeder where larger birds cannot get in. P.S. This is really a time-consuming thing, trying to get the blues to find the worms and keeping others out. I am staring outside my kitchen window A LOT watching their actions. Good luck and keep us informed. P.S. The parents will not begin feeding the worms to the babies until they are 2 or 3 days old at least. Parents will find bugs, etc. for them most of the time. Worms are helpful, but are considered a treat. In my 15 years of bluebirding this is what I have learned – but all areas are different.
Thanks Julie & Chris – Yes, I usually always have 3 nestings – I have four boxes but usually only have 1 BB nest at a time.
Got to see my newborn blues today – they were sticking their head up waiting for some food – mama and papa have been doing a good job of keeping them warn and feeding. One egg has not hatched yet and doubt that it will now. Sure perks up your spirit to see them – just hope they make it another 17 days until they fly away.
Congrats, Chris on 5 eggs. My 4 eggs hatched this morning (April 11). Glad you mentioned about the spooker, as I was so engrossed in watching mama & papa protect those new babies this morning I almost forgot about the spooker. Right now parents are protecting very well so I believe I will wait until later this afternoon to put up the spooker (while my DH can help me) as he is not here right now. Looks like the season is going into full force for most.
Way to go, Julie – I have only had TRES two different times and both times produced no live birds. The first time mites got all over the birds (which I didn’t catch) and they died from this I believe (which really upset me) and the other time they had a nest but no eggs. That was about 5 or 6 years ago. After having to clean out that one box with all the mites in it I’m not too upset they have not come back, although they sure are a beautiful bird!
Interesting, Dana, about the fight for that box. I have never had this happen with bluebirds – just my blues chasing off the HOSP from THEIR box. But, luckily, I do have room and have a total of four boxes up. This way I can trap the HOSP in one box when they get into the building process. The (HOSP) usually try to build in more than one box. LET THE FUN BEGIN!!
Julie, there is always something to learn – when we need to feel the eggs to see if they are warm, you should only just touch the top gently. Sometimes, it is necessary to know if the parents are turning the eggs, so we just put a magic marker dot on top of one egg and then check the next day to see if the egg has been turned (the dot will not be showing). This isn’t done very often I don’t believe, just when you feel it is truly necessary. P.S. Usually, if an egg is not viable the parents will toss the egg on the ground, but not always. Will keep their progress updated.
Nice, pic PhillyBues. Yes, we have had very strange weather all over. My mama blue has been incubating for about 10 days and I am very worried if in this cool/windy weather mama can keep them warm enough (supposed to be below freezing in a day or two). My box is made of thick cedar and I have closed up the vents somewhat, just leaving enough for some light – about all a human can do. I did feel the eggs one time and they seemed to be warm. Mother Nature will do the rest, with mama’s help.
Sally, don’t know where you live but believe if he has shown that much interest in your box that he will have a female soon. A lot depends on your locale (for weather) but I’d bet my bottom dollar that he will stick around and get that gal soon. Keep us informed. By the way, you mention “all my mealworm feeders” – how many do you have? I couldn’t put out but one (it is a cage feeder) due to all the other birds around. I am still feeding peanut butter suet but have worms in the fridge to put out when some of the winter birds go home.
