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David, sounds like you have determined it is a nest on top of another nest – your plan to remove the bottom half sounds like a good idea – it would sure not work if the top edge is at the entry hole!! Good luck.
David, probably a good thing they have not laid eggs yet – We have had one hard freeze last week here in mid-Missouri and another freeze forecast for tonight and Monday night. I don’t have much hopes my 5 BB eggs will survive, but if mama stays on the nest incubating them good, maybe . . . .
In regard to your removing the nest – it might be wise to leave it alone unless you really are sure it was made on top of another, but from your pictures, they started from the bottom. Not sure. Maybe they know it is too cold yet, huh? Believe mine got in a hurry.Well, good for you, Rich – your HOSP must be a different breed – whatever works! I am SO worried about my 5 BB eggs. It will be 29 degrees tonight and tomorrow night along with ferrous winds and some rain already. I’m sure in the morning it will be very icy. IF my mama blue stays on the nest they might make it but it will be a long shot.
The southeastern states are having tornadoes right now, so I shouldn’t complain about our wind and rain.
Way to go Rich – I have this happen for sure 2 times and maybe 3 – talk about thrilling!
Have a suggestion for that it’s worth. I believe we were able to catch the pairs because there was a full nest, and possibly an egg. If you emptied the box out I believe it will take a little time to be able to trap a new pair. I would suggest you wait until another male builds a nest and when he gets a mate that is when it is time to set the trap. Without a nest to sort of camouflage the trap it really sticks out like it is not supposed to be there, and the male knows it. You will be checking that trap a lot without a pair already committed to the box – just a suggestion and observation from a lots of years.
Hope your pair of blues get busy; bet they will! My mama laid her 5th egg today and is now incubating, just in time for another freeze Sunday and Monday nights! Hope she can keep the eggs warm.
Great news, Dana – hope this works out and you have eggs soon. I will be checking for my 5th egg around noon today – and yes, she should start incubating just in time to keep them warm for the cold spell tomorrow night.
YEAH, 4TH egg was laid this morning. Sure hope they make it. We had 30 degrees this morning when I got up – birdbath was frozen solid (I had taken out the warmer & forgot about it). I covered some rose bushes and clematis vines preparing for the freeze and unwrapped them this morning and all looks well. BUT Sunday & Monday nights are supposed to have a freeze warning, also. UGH. Oh well, can’t stop mother nature.
Lisa, your tall BB nest is very interesting – in all these years I have never seen one over 3 inches. It will be hard to see eggs if she does lay. Is the cup of the nest high, also? I would think it must be or she would have nothing to sit on. ??
We did have a hard freeze last night – was 30 degrees at 7:00 am this morning. I’m sure worried about my 3 BB eggs – I did cover one of the vents but not sure how much that helped. Nature will take its course. My blues are pretty faithful to me & their boxes here, so I have faith they will remain and try again if need be.
Connie, I did cover up one side of the vents, the one on the north where we were getting horrible winds yesterday & before. Yes, we did have a hard freeze last night. I had to go out this morning & break ice in my bird bath – frozen all the way through.
You may be right about your eggs not making it through this freeze – I am very worried about my 3 eggs, but I did what I could. Time will tell If she sat with them all night they might make up – only time will tell. Good luck with keeping that chickadee away!
Oh, Connie, I hadn’t read this post until I responded to your other posting. Wow, if the egg IS being turned, maybe there is hope…………
P.S. Judy – than you for your kind words. I don’t know everything, that is for sure, but after many years experience you do learn things, and usually every year!
Oh, Connie, I am SO sorry about this situation for you. I have never in all my 12 years bluebirding and on this forum heard anyone say that they had trouble with chickadees. I don’t believe I have even seen one in my area. Please have faith and maybe the blues will return. Do you have just one box? Maybe if there were another box available the dees could use one and the blues another? Just a thought. Good luck – don’t give up yet.
Hi y’all. Yes, waiting for egg #3 this morning but I have seen mama & papa quite a bit here close to my home eating suet (& very few worms) this morning. Maybe after they are full, she will get busy and get on that nest to lay egg #3. As far as cold weather, it was around 40 degrees this morning and tonight is predicted low of 29 degrees. I did cover one vent last night with small piece of heavy cardboard & might cover the other one later today. Bet Zimmerman says go ahead with this – that too cold can render the eggs infertile.
Judy & Connie – yep, got the 2nd blue egg today. Mama took to the spooker fine (she was used to one from previous years) so I put up the wren guard today. Didn’t think wrens were here yet, but hubby reminded me that we had spotted one a week or two ago. So, have my pole greased, sparrow spooker up, wren guard on and baffle under pole. Whew, those little birds are lots of work, but enjoy every minute of it! Judy, your mama blue had better get in gear and shape up that nest, huh! Yes, they are giving us some joy and/or entertainment during this trying time.
P.S. I e-mailed Bet Zimmerman about plugging up some of the vents for the upcoming cool/cold spell the next 10 days or so. Hope to hear from her soon.
Connie, you said the egg is not being turned – did you place dots on the eggs to see if the dots move? If you have I would assume you could remove egg & nest – but probably best to wait a little longer since she is still going in – they usually know when to quit.
