[bluebirder321]

Dave,

That’s truly a bummer especially at the end of the season. Maybe she thinks they’re still gonna hatch since she hasn’t abandoned the nest yet or built a new nest overtop of the eggs. I would wait and see what happens. Here’s hoping for the best.

Dana in PA

[bluebirder321]

Thanks all!

It’s always a good feeling knowing you’re adding to the bluebird population. It sure is a passion of mine. And people enjoy seeing them as well. This world today could use more happiness and the bluebirds bring it!

Carol,
Two broods is still good. My pair of bluebirds used to only have 2 broods per season. But the past two years they have been producing 3 broods to my delight! I’m guessing the warmer summers could be why plus I feed them mealworms without overdoing it though.

Dana in PA

[bluebirder321]

Carol,
that’s awesome about the 5 white eggs!! And it sounds like the house sparrows in your yard have given up hopefully.

Dana in PA

[bluebirder321]

Judy,

Congrats on the baby fledging! Hard to say why the other eggs didn’t hatch. Maybe the other eggs were infertile. I wish better luck for your bluebirds with this next brood.

Dana in PA

[bluebirder321]

Hi Judy,

I occassionally put out mealworms after lightly dusting them with calcium carbonate and the baby bluebirds love eating them as well as the adults. I would try it with yours and see if that helps lure them out of their hiding places. It’s delightful when you see the parents and the babies taking turns gobbling the mealworms down!

Dana in PA

[bluebirder321]

Thanks so much Carol! Wishing you alot of luck as well with your “blues”!

[bluebirder321]

Carol,
I’ve had it happen where the female waited a week to lay eggs. Sometimes changes in the weather can delay egg laying too. Also if she’s not completely finished building the nest.

Keep us posted!

Dana in PA

[bluebirder321]

Tim,
I have found mornings to be the best time of day to see the bluebirds. Especially when they’re hunting for nest sites. Also the female bluebirds tend to build their nest in the mornings mostly. Of course once there’s babies in the nest box you will see both male and female bluebird actively feeding them from dawn to dusk.

Dana in PA

[bluebirder321]

That’s fantastic that the new female is accepting the babies! I’m sure she and the male will eventually have a brood of their own not long after the current babies have fledged.

Dana in PA

• This reply was modified 2 years, 11 months ago by bluebirder321.

[bluebirder321]

Enjoyed reading your update! I bet in the mornings there’s alot of bird activity going on!

Dana in PA

[bluebirder321]

Fingers crossed here that another bluebird pair will find and use your box! It’s still early enough in the season.

[bluebirder321]

Tim,
Good to hear! I hope he returns again hopefully with a mate!

Dana in PA

[bluebirder321]

Carol and Todd,
That’s awesome to hear you both got back your bluebirds back!! Congrats! Mama bluebird just laid her 5th egg in my nest box this morning. She’s busy incubating them now.

[bluebirder321]

Dave,
Great photo of the babies! I have 5 eggs in my nest box right now. Mama blue is now incubating them.

[bluebirder321]

Hi Courtney,
The first thing I would do is trap and dispose of the house sparrow. Once you’re rid of him then see if the bluebirds return. When fixing the nest try to form a cup shape at the bottom maybe the bluebirds will still accept it. If not and they don’t return then I would remove the nest and let them start over fresh. In the meantime I’d offer them some mealworms to entice them to stick around. Keep us posted. Anyone else want to chime in?

Dana in PA

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