Forum Replies Created
-
Posts
-
Update…..I’m very happy with how it is going. Used to be after they fledged I would not see them return to my yard. Now it is total different……they come shortly after they hear the clicker (it’s a clicker I used for dog training). Mom, pop and at least 2 fledglings come and the fledglings help feed the 5 new fledglings. I’m hoping they like it here so well maybe I will get a 3rd nesting. That would be a first, but they started nesting much earlier this season than in the past. Feeding mealworms in the morning and evening.
Also have a pair nesting in the backyard box. I started them on mealworms too‼️ They picked up on it really fast. For them I use a bicycle bell to call them. I have 2 mealworm feeders, so I feed out front and watch them then I do the same thing over in the backyard. Mama is incubating 4 eggs.
It’s great fun…..the birds are happy and so am I 😁
Judy-Michigan
Third nest is great news! My first pair of blue started Nesting early this year, I’m hoping to get a 3rd nesting too. We’ll see…….their second nesting just fledged yesterday. Mama blue only waited 3 days in between her 1st nest fledging and starting a new nest for the second. Good luck with your new nest.
Judy-Michigan
Julie, I also use styrofoam for a heat shield with 1/2 spacer between the box and white shield. To attach I use temporary painters tape to hold in position, then I put a bunch of nylon self-locking cable ties together, enough to wrap over and under the box, tighten to hold the styrofoam in place. If you make the roof piece with a large overhang then I make a hole on each side of the roof piece where the sides of the box are, to run the nylon ties through. Tighten the ties then take the temporary tape off. If you have everything ready ahead you can have it in place super fast.
Update on my bluebirds…..2nd nesting of 5 in front box fledging today. New pair in back box with 4 eggs. Mama has been incubating for a couple days now. So exciting to still have a pair to enjoy. This is the first season I have feed live mealworms, I do believe it helps keep them hanging around the yard.
Judy-Michigan
Donna, so great to have fledged 44 bluebirds! I hope you see the latest fledglings in your yard soon. It seems early enough in the season for them to surprise you with a 3rd nesting. Do they stay all winter in your area?
Judy-Michigan
Since you are talking about garden pests…..the last couple of years I have been using cornmeal to get get rid of ants or at least deter them. I sprinkle some around the base of the bluebird box poles. It’s safe for the birds and seems to work quite well. Also use it around the perimeter of the house and gardens.
Judy-Michigan
Wow things have been busy in Missouri……happy to hear your one hatchlings has fledged. Finding a new nest already built is just the topping on the cake. Lets hope your bluebird couple has better luck with their eggs this nesting. So weird so many eggs not hatching from the last nest! Hope the first egg shows up soon.
My second nesting 5 eggs all hatched on Wednesday. 2 fledgling from the first nest are back hanging out. Yesterday day I put up some styrofoam heat shields around the box. Mama and papa blue were fine with it, but the fledglings noticed something different. They did some fluttering around the box then settled down on the shepherd’s hook to observe. So fun to watch. Heat wave here for 7-10 days.
Happy 4 of July….y’all
Judy-MichiganCarol, thank you….I knew you would know what to expect since you have been feeding Live mealworms for years. Your answer is very helpful. So, I’m thinking since I never saw 4 fledgling at one time….maybe 2 were taken by predators. I have heard the survival rate is not good.
I have them coming to a clicker that I used for dog training. As of yesterday only mama and papa showed up. So, I think they did the tough love thing. I will be watching and hope to see them in the yard or birdbath. Second nesting of 5 eggs due the end of this week.
Judy-Michigan
Nice picture David. My pair of bluebirds got an early start this year. I would be very excited to get a third nesting. My nest #2 is slightly ahead of yours. I’m having a lot of fun watching them. Happy birding‼️
Judy-Michigan
This tip worked for a friend on attracting orioles…..get something large and bright orange, put it close to the feeder. She used two plastic orange Adirondack chairs and was able to get them coming into her yard the first year. You could also use orange beach balls basically anything orange they can spot from above. Each year gets better and better.
Phillyblues….never too late to try. Best time to try is the end of April. I would give it a whirl. Other birds do enjoy the jelly too. Good luck.
Judy-Michigan
Julie, I do put out grape jelly all summer. In high times they will go through a jar a day! They arrive around May 1 and stay through mid September. I see fewer in June while they are nesting, but they still slip away for a bite of grape jelly. I also get a pair of orchard orioles, the male is colored similar to a robin and the female is more olive. Fun.
Judy-Michigan
My tres swallows fledged last week. Both boxes had mights also. The second box was worse than the 1st. I didn’t realize it until I pulled the nest out and they were crawling up my arms….yuck! I wrapped the nest in a plastic bag and tossed it in the trash, hosed out the boxes……then poured a bleach/water mix in and on them…..rinsed again with hose water. All is well, but I felt crawly for days! I had a TRES nest once before and mites were not a problem.
Judy- Michigan
I had to look in my bird book to see what the prothonotary warbler looks like. I have seen them come through here around migration time, but none have stayed to nest. Looks like we live within their nesting area. I would love to have a pair nest here. Maybe someday.
You have plenty of birding going on at your place. So nice to have the beauty of nature to entertain us during this virus/quarantine times. We have Baltimore Orioles in our yard daily coming to eat grape jelly. They will be bringing their fledglings with them to the jelly feeders around July 1st. Second nest of 5 bluebird eggs due to hatch in 8 days. I love staying home‼️
Judy-Michigan
Carol, sorry the 4 eggs did not hatch. It makes you wonder what happened, especially weird since her first brood all hatched. Maybe this nest was a different papa, mama or different pair. Who knows….we can only speculate. With only one baby to feed it should be well feed and fledge strong.
I hope you get a third nesting and everything works out great.
Judy-Michigan
P.S. Thanks for recommending Grubco…I ordered yesterday and received them this morning. All in good condition and no smell….yay. This time I knew what to expect, thanks to you. 😁
I miss seeing Tammy’s posts……grand daughter must be keeping her busy. Happy Birthday Tammy, hope you are having a great day.
Judy-Michigan
