[Carol – Mid-Mo.]

So very sorry phillyblues – I cannot imagine how horrifying this was for you when you opened the box. All I can say is your must go on – don’t let those HOSP defeat you.

[Carol – Mid-Mo.]

Cool David – lots of fun watching when they return.

[Carol – Mid-Mo.]

Cari, unfortunately this is something that just happened – lesson learned here – if you are not sure about a nest do not open it unless you have someway to plug the hole and something like a plastic grid to put on the opening. I have done this one time I believe when I thought something had happened to the babies. Stuffed a sock in the hole itself and then had a piece of plastic grid that I put over the opening which I could see in but they could not get out.
I imagine those feathers were of the early one which fledged too early – some predator probably got it. Sad, but these things happen. Now you just need to concentrate on the ones that fledged and the parents. The survival rate is fairly low anyway on birds which fledge – nothing we can do at this point. I don’t believe the ones which survived will be neglected by mama & papa – they usually take them away from the nesting area for 7 to 10 days, teaching them how to survive.
Good to hear from you Cari – nice you were trying to help a neighbor – do you have boxes out?

[Carol – Mid-Mo.]

Rich, my 2nd nest is going almost exactly like yours – 5 eggs, seeing juveniles, etc. Amazing how they know us when we put those worms out. I have been splitting out worms into two bowls because 6 grown blues in one cage feeder gets very crowded, so I place another small bowl close to the cage feeder.
My hatch day should be this coming Wednesday. Good luck to everyone.

[Carol – Mid-Mo.]

Yes, removing the sticks definitely keeps the house wrens busy. I have removed a dummy nest full of sticks about 3 times, same box, in the past week. I measured one stick and it was 7 inches long, with a slight crook in it, and was probably 8″ if straightened? Can’t believe hos good they are at getting these long sticks into a 1 1/2″ hole – amazing. Just be sure not to let it go too long and they get an egg in it. Good luck with these critters, Julie. Also, good luck with papa Blue-zer and wife. This is unusual that he is building the nest – usually the female builds it, or most of it.

[Carol – Mid-Mo.]

Congrats, Philly Blues – once they get started in an area they usually come back, but that is just my experience – keep up the good work.
P.S. I had NEVER even seen a bluebird until a neighbor moved across the street from me moved from the country and I swear her bluebirds followed them. She had bluebird boxes out and I saw blues for the 1st time. Well, during the winter we built 2 or 3 boxes, put them out in January or February and have had nests every year since then, which was about early 2007 or 2008.

[Carol – Mid-Mo.]

Donna, I have had a mama bluebird skip a day once in a great while, probably happened only 2 or 3 times in all these years. (I have never heard about skipping a day only when it is cold, but then maybe I just never heard anyone talk about this). I Would bet that it is the original mama of 1st eggs.

[Carol – Mid-Mo.]

Hi, Donna – glad your pair have a new nest after the fledging of your 5 from the 1st. Strange that she would stop at just 2 eggs – do you still see the papa blue around?

[Carol – Mid-Mo.]

Yes, Rich, I believe watching little ones learn to eat on their is loads of fun – probably of all the activities. Especially when those young ones just shake all over and beg for the worms from the parents.

[Carol – Mid-Mo.]

Dana, I would almost bet it is the first pair that lost their first brood – they like to stay in the same territory most of the time. Congratulations and hope this nesting goes well. Definitely in the full swing of summer now.

[Carol – Mid-Mo.]

Julie, we all are glad you found us – keep in mind that all situations are different and what we share is probably what we see. There is ALWAYS something new to learn from others. Bluebirds were almost on the endangered species until 1978 when the North American Bluebird Society (NABS) organized and began the journey of helping bluebirds. The population has improved since that time, but there are places which are still struggling. Glad you are enjoying your new hobby!

[Carol – Mid-Mo.]

Julie, catching a bluebird with your trap is VERY frightening. This is one reason it is so very important to monitor a box closely where you have set a trap and to be very careful when you open the box to see what the bird is. Especially important when it is hot. I have only caught a bluebird maybe two or three times in all these years, Don’t like this – but as long as the bird was not in the box very long and released unharmed they usually stay around like nothing happened.

[Carol – Mid-Mo.]

Julie, yes as a rule you will see the fledglings more when they come to your worm feeder. Mine always do this about 10 days or so after fledging – at first parents will feed them at the bowl and in a few days they will eat on their own. This is one of the main reason people do feed the worms – just as much for our enjoyment as it is beneficial for the birds – just as long as the worms are used as a treat and not meant not to be their main food! You have had an experience I don’t believe I have and that is the fledglings helping feed their new sibling babies. But then again I am on the go quite a lot (at least I used to be) and don’t really have time to watch a lot. Sounds like you had a very enjoyable experience with this.

[Carol – Mid-Mo.]

Rich, how late in morning does she usually lay? Mine are always pretty early, although I do not check until at least 11:00 am. Papa blues really do watch closely – better not do anything wrong he says!

[Carol – Mid-Mo.]

Thanks, Renee – don’t have a Home Depot in my small community, but I finally found some online ordering from WalMart. NO SHIPPING costs on a $6.58 item – not too bad. This roll will last me probably 2 years.

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