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I appreciate the feedback. The heat has been relentless for about 2 weeks with heat indexes of over 105 degrees. Certainly it is even hotter inside the nest box. I am not necessarily one that likes to interfere, but I feel compelled to take some stress off these poor bluebirds if I can. I am going to try something and will see how it goes. There are actually things called “plant umbrellas” and I just ordered a pair online. They are much like the umbrella suggestion Tim posted, only they are smaller at 23 inches wide and have an underside of UV protection. The set I ordered is also angle adjustable. I am going to install one onto a tall thin garden pole that has a point that sticks directly into the ground. I may attach some mylar strips so it can double as a sparrow spooker. I will also consider the Refectix Insulation in mind, but do not want to cover over the solar panel of the nest box. But could use for the sides. I will not make any moves until after eggs are laid. Thank you all once again.
I am sad to say that this brood did not go well. For some reason unknown to my inexperienced eyes, I watched the camera nest box clips as the mother bird carried 3 of the 4 eggs out of the nest. Maybe the three eggs were not viable or something spooked her?? Not sure. She was left with only one egg and then a wren came in, and in the flash of an eye, poked the remaining egg and threw it out. This is the first and only time I saw the wren. Not to be deterred, the bluebirds started again. There are four eggs in the nest box, and so far, so good. I have made a sparrow spooker, but I am reluctant to put a wren guard covering up the opening of the nest box. It just seems to invasive and I am worried it may scare the mother bird once again. The “new” eggs should hatch any day now. Here’s hoping it all goes well. The parent bluebirds work so hard!
Thank you for your responses and your encouraging words. As of today, there are four eggs. Hope all goes well for our bluebird friends!
If it is possible to attach a photo or short video clip from the camera nest box I will do so if someone can walk me through how to do this.
Thank you for the responses. Here is an update: I see that the male bird continues to go into the camera nest box throughout the day, basically “fluffing up the pillows” and doing minor rearranging. He also continues to supplement feed the 3 babies who fledged on April 12th from a different nest box. Two mornings ago, I saw a very reluctant female that sat on the fence close to the camera nest box and she had a few bits of straw in her mouth, but she did not go inside. I saw her yesterday and again this morning sitting on a pole across the yard. The male and female see one another, but she has yet to go inside this nest box. Perhaps she has another mate? Is spooked by this nest box for some reason? I would welcome suggestions as to if and when I should relocate the camera nest box and/or remove the nest. I am feeling very badly for this male bluebird and I do not want to wait too long in case there is a chance he could mate again this season. (Again, he is a very dedicated father!) I know this is all very unusual and if I did not see it unfolding on camera I would find it hard to believe!
