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Judy, I also have seen hummingbirds at my feeder, although not in large numbers yet. But, they better get on the stick because the Baltimore Orioles are at the hummer’s feeders and about emptied my bottles – going to refill today. How fun!
Well, Matt, I, also am too short to see inside my boxes without a step-stool – I am about 5foot, one inch wall. My brother when we were growing up nicknamed me “shorty”. It doesn’t hurt to check on their progress – in fact this is probably a good thing (maybe every 2 or 3 days) to see if there is any problem, like ants, bees on the lid, a dead bird (which happens) etc. I have had this experience and it is not pleasant – I could smell something bad, and opened up box to find one of my birds in the box dead – had to remove it since they will draw ants and other nasty things. We learn new things each season it seems – just like human life is always a learning experience.
Congrats on all your birds, Renee – I do good to just keep track of my bluebirds I have 5 new bluebird babies and our weather has warmed up very nicely. Good to hear from you and hope your weather will warm up very soon.
Congrats Matt – that last egg will probably hatch in a day or two – parents usually know if it is not viable and will either remove it or bury it deep in the nest – it is usually best to just leave it alone. Nice picture (hard to believe they grow from this look into a beautiful bird) but read below – I had forgoten about this:
This is from http://www:Sialis.org (Bluebird website “Bible””)
Nestbox Interior: Photograph tips:
“Avoid using a flash on nestlings, since we don’t know whether a flash could damage their developing eyes – especially the eyes of a bird that is supposed to be developing inside a dark cavity. Why take a chance?
Do not open a box to photograph older nestlings, as you may frighten them into premature fledging.
It is easiest to take photos in a nestbox with a removable roof. Photographing from the top also helps when nestlings are older and tend to hunker down in the nest. If the box has a front or side opening door, open the door very carefully so contents do not spill out. (See more information on monitoring).”Connie & Judy, Thanks – Yes, I now have 5 baby blues in the nest and mama seems to be doing her brooding duty.
Learning when to set the inbox trap takes some time. I have found the best thing to do when you see a male HOSP claiming the box (and they do this by sitting on top of it, going inside some, back on top, singing – putting nesting material in it) is to keep watch until a female shows up. I will check the nest periodically before any eggs are laid. But I don’t set the trap until I’m sure he has a mate. Only about 2 or 3 times is all these years have I waited a little too long and there was an egg in the nest – I did not like doing what I had to do when this happens – I want to catch him before any eggs.
Troy, welcome – you already have good advise from our group – especially important is the info on the House Sparrow (HOSP for short) – they are very harmful to our bluebirds and if you put up a bluebird house you should be ready to fight them. The sparrow spooker is very helpful when you have a nest with eggs/babies in it but the best thing to do is eradicate them by using a sparrow trap – this info can be found on the Sialis.org website.
Also harmful is the house wren – they are a native bird and protected by law (as opposed to the HOSP which is non-native and therefore not protected) But there is a wren guard that most people use which deters them – they like to raid a nestbox and throw the eggs out on the ground, which of course will destroy the egg. The HOSP will actually kill the bluebirds if they get a chance.
Good luck.
David, Connie & Chris – hope all our activities to beat this cold streaks work – we can do only the best we can and Mother Nature better look out – we are here! My five eggs are due to hatch in two days – mama blue has been doing a great job of only being off the nest for a very short time – only enough to eat a few worms, buzz around a little and then back to the nest.
By the way, Chris, don’t believe an electric heater for a nestbox would be a good idea – just my thought – there may be something out there like this.
Thanks, Phillyblues – Have none of these good good stores in my area, although I do have some regular styrofoam pieces I could attach – problem is with 5 eggs inside I won’t want to do too much jiggling of the box – believe I can close up the ventilation slots pretty quick and with not much movement. The forecast for tomorrow night is just 34 degrees – the next night is lower at 28 degrees and then 31 on Wednesday night. I maybe will consider putting on some of the styrofoam some time tomorrow – depends on mama blue and her attitude about me fooling around with the box.
Bet did respond to my plea – but most information was geared for hatched (baby) blues, not a whole lot on just eggs. To be on the safe side I will be spending most of my time tomorrow covering up some flowers (clematis vines, rose bushes mostly) and closing up the ventilation opening on my bird house where the 5 eggs are. I will have to be quick about this procedure so that mama blue will not lose too much time away from the nest. Will do this when I bring out the mealworms in the morning.
Yes, I remember one or maybe even two people here had white bluebird eggs – almost sure one of them was Tammy, one of our moderators on the forum (where are you, Tammy?). I’m not too familiar with other birds and white eggs, I concentrate on my blues as far as eggs go. But I do think a 7th bluebird egg would be very rare.
Congrats, Matt – I also have never witnessed 6 eggs in a nest – My mama is incubating her 5 eggs – I really prefer a clutch of 4, since I believe they have more room to develop – but Mama blue did NOT ask me!!
Congrats, Connie – looks like you might have the first hatch of the forum this year. My 5 eggs are into day 3 of incubation, so I am anxiously waiting. I bet the insulation you put on your boxes (which you probably need there in PA) will help with the cooler weather.
Hi, Matt and WELCOME! Great that you have eggs already on your first try at bluebirding. Also good that you know about the House Sparrows, which do considerable damage to the population of bluebirds. Please read up on all the deterrents you can use to help keep your eggs and babies safe. The webside http://www.sialis. org. is a terrific website, with lots of helpful information.
You can keep everyone posted on your progress and ask for help when needed – just need to start a new thread (post) other than this “Welcome” one. Good luck.
Lots of us here use baffles on our poles – this is to discourage/keep away anything that could climb a pole, like snakes, raccoons, etc. Using a slick pole instead of wood to hold the box is also necessary, and the baffle is an extra security. Personally, I don’t have a snake problem but there are lots of raccoons and neighborhood cats in our rural area. Put on the baffle as soon as you can – it will not deter the blues at all. I would think on a trail there might be more snakes than usual, but would depend on the area I guess. Good luck. P.S. The wobbling baffle is the best most believe.
