[Carol – Mid-Mo.]

Sounds like you have a good set up of houses – however, I would question the one house which you have facing west, as this is facing the hot sun in the summertime. Might be okay for the 1st nesting. I believe your boxes facing southeast are much better – here in Mid-Missouri I believe SE is away from prevailing winds, which is what is recommended – mine are all facing SE. I have had no experience with anything other than wooden boxes (cedar, which have lasted 8+ years & still going) – this “indestructible plastic” box you have – does it not get terribly hot? If you have your boxes up early (January of February) I bet those blues will be scouting them next season. Good luck.

[Carol – Mid-Mo.]

Usually she will start incubating the same day as last egg or the next day – all are different. Yes, a heat shield will help, as our Missouri summers can be very hot – my boxes are in full sun so I always put on shields after the very first nesting. Good luck.

[Carol – Mid-Mo.]

Bob, I live in west central Missouri, and I believe you could have a nesting of blues yet. In looking back at my records of 8 previous seasons, I have had a few nestings in late June & early July on occasion. It is getting a little late, but my first successful hatching of blues just fledged on this past Tuesday, so I am keeping my fingers crossed for another nest. But they have to get this batch of young ones trained yet and that could take another week or two. I will know in a few days if they are interested in building again. Bob luck – if you are seeing blues, you really need to figure out why they are not coming there. Tell us a little about your box locations. P.S. Aren’t those barn swallows a pain & messy when they like to build right outside your door, etc.

[Carol – Mid-Mo.]

I’m getting ready to do a mail order for 5,000 worms – the first order in March was 10,000 ($52 including shipping which always comes 2nd day) and I will be out in about a week with the newly fledged blues. Even if they do not have a 2nd nesting, this family of 7 will be back and stay around all winter here in mid-Missouri. What a sight it is to see those parents feed those worms like an assembly line when those babies are in the box – really perks you up!

[Carol – Mid-Mo.]

You should have a chance for a 2nd nesting. My babies fledged yesterday and I cleaned out box and it is ready for them to go again. They are kind of an odd couple, get started late, plus build 2 or 3 extra nests, etc. I’m hoping for a 2nd. Congrats on your fledgling everyone.

[Carol – Mid-Mo.]

I have a cage feeder like that one and it works great – I have had it so long that I don’t remember if it took some time or not. Don’t remove the top, as that defeats the purpose of the feeder, which is to exclude the large birds. I believe they will get the hang of it – give them some time – they won’t want to miss out on those tasty worms, but don’t feed them outside the feeder – make them go in.

[Carol – Mid-Mo.]

Yes, good luck. My first nest of babies is due to hatch about next Tuesday, and we are going out of state so I will probably miss it. They were sooooo slow to get going this year and first nest of 5 eggs the female I believe was killed or died after about 2 days of incubation. But papa was quick to find another gal. I have no idea if they will try another nesting, but sure hope so, as my previous papa & 3 different mates always had 3 clutches each year over a period of 6 seasons. Of course, our Missouri weather this year has been crazy, and I’m kind of glad they did not get in on all that cold, wet weather we had in May.

[Carol – Mid-Mo.]

Pierced or cracked – really hard to determine. I don’t believe anyone has actually witnessed this occurrence, if so – let’s hear it (whether they are pierced after thrown on ground or vise-versa). Unless it was really like broken to pieces or smashed, I would still say wren – anything else would probably eat them.

[Carol – Mid-Mo.]

That pierced egg on the ground was surely work of a house wren. Last year I had 4 eggs in a box which I was not aware of, and by the time I was able to get another wren guard up, a wren had pierced & thrown out 3 of the 4 eggs on the ground. That lone egg was incubated and did fledge. In regard to the robin, it couldn’t get in & probably would not try, since they are not cavity nesters. They are curious like all other birds and will sit atop of anything for a while. Robins & bluebirds are both members of the Thrush species of birds, like cousins, and do cohabit quite well usually. Good luck – keep us informed.

[Carol – Mid-Mo.]

Hugh, yes I believe you need to try to get her to accept the wren guard; however, as you said it would have been better to install it after the 1st or 2nd egg was laid, prior to incubation. Since you put a hinged guard on the Gilwood box (which is exactly what we did at first – then made it a top opener as well as a front opener later) I would give her a little time. Catch her some time when she is taking a break from incubating & try putting it down. If she doesn’t accept it after she is back at the nest for 10-15 minutes, then put it back up. I have never had a female refuse the spooker or wren guard, but then I always have them up prior to incubation. Good luck – let us know how this plays out. REMINDER – there needs to be a minimum of 2 1/2″ (3″ is better) between the actual hole & the guard to allow for an easy swoop into the box. Do you have spooker & guard up at the other box which has 3 eggs? Just because you don’t see these predators doesn’t mean there are not around – it’s up to us landlords to protect the nest, since we invited the birds in.

[Carol – Mid-Mo.]

Sorry, Cher – I always worry about leaving for a few days during nesting season, but we have to live our own lives. Glad you got cheered up by seeing the baby Robin hatch – I have never witnessed this. Hope the rest of the season goes better.

[Carol – Mid-Mo.]

Nice picture, Donna. What is it with these birds starting a nest in box and then switch to a different one? My first pair (had papa 6 years with about 3 different females) always finished the nest which they began & laid the eggs in it. The 2 years with my current couple they built 2 or 3 complete nests in different boxes before choosing one. Of course, this cuts down on available true time, and they just have 2 nestings instead of 3 like my first 6 years. All are different I guess!

[Carol – Mid-Mo.]

Oh, Evie – that is so sad. When you said you actually had a BB egg I was thrilled for you. Can’t imagine about this male dying – do you think maybe it was the original male which you said was not around, and he was sick or something? You are probably right about mama abandoning this nest/egg, since she has no mate. Very Sad indeed. But don’t give up – remember this is true nature at work (I guess).

[Carol – Mid-Mo.]

Always cool to see your fledglings return to “home” area & glad you have another nest. Is it the same parents, I’m assuming it is. Some fledglings actually help feed their siblings, but I have never had this happen – parents usually chase them off once others hatch to protect food supply. Just like us humans telling our children “time to grow up & be on your own!”

[Carol – Mid-Mo.]

Great – get that baffle ready and don’t forget the sparrow spooker & wren guard if those are needed (remember you don’t always see these sly things). I would think a spooker for sure, since you had seen those around, and those house wrens are VERY sly.

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