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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!
Philly Blues – once a female lays eggs in a nest, it is a high commitment to that egg, just like being pregnant. In other words, the odds are really good that she did accept it – she wants to protect that egg. Not much to do now but wait. If this trail nest is not too far away are you able to check on it? It would not hurt to check on the eggs to see if they are warm – just need to lay your fingers gently on the eggs and you will tell if they are warm – no handling, just a slight touch. Just let nature take its course after that. Keeping my fingers crossed for your nest.
The crazier it looks, the better – just so a bright color flies in the wind! Has mama blue accepted it and going in box to incubate the eggs? If not you must either take it down or tie up some of the ribbons so not so many flying. She needs to be sitting on the eggs to keep them warm or they will not hatch. Good luck.
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
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.
Yes, my blues are fed my homemade peanut butter suet all winter, actually from around October to March, and they love it just like mealworms. Unfortunately a lot of o0ther birds love it also (juncos, white crowned sparrows, etc.) and the ones small enough come to my cage feeder, also, although I also have a BOSS feeder which I put out in the back yard for the other birds, especially cardinals, etc.
Yes, if you do have House Wrens in your area at all, they are as big a predator as are the HOSP. They usually go after the BB eggs – throw them on the ground to break. I have had this happen before a very few times when I didn’t get the wren guard up in time. The wrens are a protected by law bird so we need to heed this – just try to keep them out of the box – no trapping!
Judy, yes I feed only two times a day – early morning and around 5 or 6 p.m. Hard telling how many they would eat if I gave them unlimited worms. The worms are meant to SUPPLEMENT the natural food they need to hunt for – not for a main diet (there are conversations about the worms being calcium depleting for the birds if too many are fed). Of course, there are always exceptions, like extreme weather or snow/ice coverings, etc. Right now after my 5 fledged I watch the parents take the worms to the tree where the babies are, empty the bowl of worms, look around for more. When they see they are all gone I spot them hunting and bringing up the “goodies” they find to the babies.
Hope that Peterson box (and hopefully predator controls like sparrow spooker, wren guards, greased pole, etc.) will do the trick, Chris.
Yes, almost any bird will eat mealworms (I use live but apparently they like the dried also). That is why I have two caged feeders – even with these I have had “slimmer” birds like cardinals & bluejays get in the cage. I usually try to watch the feeder some until the blues have finished them.
Chris, LOVE the idea of using those plastic houses for HOSP trapping – I’m a firm believer in having extra boxes just for that reason. My blues which are due to fledge today have had peace because of the extra box where I have HOSP working hard to build nests and further. Of course, I will then set my VanErt trap at the appropriate time to then get him or the female.
