[Carol – Mid-Mo.]

I remeasured and it is more like 6 1/8″ to bottom of hole. AND had forgoten, but a year or so ago we took the nails out of these boxes and put in screws for a tighter fit. SO, if worse comes to worse we could remove the screws and open up the front.

[Carol – Mid-Mo.]

I put my Styrofoam heat shield on just before we left town last weekend. I’m glad I did because temps are going to be in the mid-90’s today with heat index close to 100. I see no reason not to put it on, if it is available, and I have a shield for all 4 boxes. Of course, I live in a rural subdivision with no homeowners association to deal with, either! I’m keeping my fingers & toes crossed for the next 2 or 3 days until fledging. Everything is going smoothly right now but am worried about them reaching the hole for fledging because of the thin, low nest. (see my post about 5 New Baby Blues).

[Carol – Mid-Mo.]

Problem – this is a top opener, one of 4 that we built by Missouri Dept. of Conservation specs. They have fledged many blues, but then again, most nests were quite more substantial than this one. All I can do now I guess is wait & see. Gin, would they not be able to go out of the top if necessary? We could probably cut the nails to open the front but it would mean using an electric saber saw, which would be noisy. This is day 15 and I will have time to watch the box for signs of peeking, as they usually do.

[Carol – Mid-Mo.]

Yeah, Gin, that was what I was particularly worried about – them reaching the hole for fledging. My box is cedar with the rough finish on the inside, as instructed, to have more grip. But that is really going to be a stretch. I have measured and from the wood floor to the bottom of the hole is about 6.5″, or about 7.75 to middle of hole. There are 2 screws inside the front of box for the VanErt trap, so that may help with footing. Do you think this is doable for them? I would sure hate to lose this batch, since my first nesting of 5 all died. Any other advice?

[Carol – Mid-Mo.]

Randy, I did put my heat shield on before we left town because it was supposed to get into the 90’s. We got back ast evening and everything seems to be okay, with parents bringing them worms, etc. Of course, I could not look in because it is too close to fledging time.

[Carol – Mid-Mo.]

Totally agree with what Tammy has said. Best to draw them first with a nestbox & then introduce them to the worms (cage-type feeder is best for this to exclude the larger birds who could eat you into bankruptcy!).

[Carol – Mid-Mo.]

Yes, you need to get it put on and then watch it closely if you can. Early morning I find is the most busiest time for laying, etc. She should have no trouble with the spooker, especially if you have had it on before with this pair. But you do need to watch, she might not lay another egg and just begin incubating them. Try to be sure she has accepted it. And if you have house wrens around, you will need a wren guard. As you have noticed from this forum, many of us have had our experiences (bad) with wrens.

[Carol – Mid-Mo.]

Lisa, best way to stop that is to give the blues only a small amount when you know they are there and they can them right up, and then feed them 2 times a day. If you put out a lot at once, yes, every bird around will eat them!

[Carol – Mid-Mo.]

Randy, that is quite quick – congrats – Mine are due to fledge around next Wed. or Thursday. We are going to be gone for a few days this weekend, so hope everything continues to go well.

[Carol – Mid-Mo.]

Update – today my babies are 9 days old and I removed the wren guard as we are going to be gone for a few days and didn’t want to forget about it before fledging. I wanted to get a last look at them – and BOY – they are so down deep in the shallow “cup” that I absolutely cannot see anything but a glob – tried a small flashlight but it wouldn’t work. Fairly sure they all are alive because I don’t smell anything bad and the parents are both feeding them very good. I just watched the “worm train” as 1st papa blue would bring worms while mama was gathering and then she would bring in her contribution, and on & on. Love watching this.
P.S. Has anyone had trouble with this shallow cup thing – will it do the babies any harm not having a “soft nest” to grow up in? Even taking off the top completely (it is a top opener) I could not see anything and neither could DH. Just some dark beaks is about all you tell.

[Carol – Mid-Mo.]

Brad, I don’t believe there is any set time for fledging – and sometimes it might take a few hours for them all to fledge. I know parents try to get them out before dark or they could get lost. They would stop calling them to come out before too late in the day. You need to clean out the box as soon as you can after they fledge.

[Carol – Mid-Mo.]

Dibby, this is what mine do – take them to a different neighbor/area in our subdivision for those learning days and then bring then back later to my yard area for the worms. Sounds like they are on track!

[Carol – Mid-Mo.]

Nice – Good luck, David.

[Carol – Mid-Mo.]

dibby, was this tree close in your yard, or someone else’s yard or what? They usually take them away, usually very shortly after fledging, from their nesting area to teach them. I have never had them stay around in their own nesting area during this teaching period (usually 10-14 days). And then they will bring them back to the feeder bowl. Strange . . . . But then remember, birds do not read books, especially the rules!! (ha,Ha)

• This reply was modified 8 years, 11 months ago by Carol - Mid-Mo..

[Carol – Mid-Mo.]

dibby, I have always believed they both went off with the fledglings for 10-12 days to teach them to hunt & fend for themselves. Since I don’t see them during that period, don’t know if they both feed them or not, but I know when they return to “their home territory” both will help feed them from the worm bowl. I would imagine they will try for a 2nd brood. Those males had better shape up, huh!

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