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So sorry for your loss Phillyblues. It’s heartbreaking to say the least. Like Carol said tall grass is bad. Especially when it grows around nest boxes it will attract snakes. The tall grass enables them to hide and also to hunt for prey. Praying you have better luck next time.
Dana
Julie,
Congrats on the baby bluebirds and tree swallows!! The 4 bluebird eggs in my box are due to hatch this weekend!
Dana
Tammy is right! Some birds are perceived as a threat while others are not. Only birds I see the bluebirds attack if they land on my nest box are mostly robins, starlings, house wrens, and house sparrows. It’s incredible watching them go after the robins and starlings since they are so much bigger. Both bluebirds will attack them ferociously until either the robin or starling flies away. It’s the same if another pair of bluebirds show up – a fierce battle!
– Dana
Allyson –
Check for any bug infestations. Also check on the status of the eggs (broken, missing, etc). I want to say it sounds like something spooked the female off the nest but if she still isn’t going inside I would definitely check inside the box to see whats going on.
Dana
Its also a good idea if you’re feeding them mealworms to sprinkle them with some calcium carbonate since the mealworms are calcium depleting. I feed my “blues” dried mealworms. I place the mealworms in a ziplock bag and sprinkle some calcium carbonate over them. Then I shake it up so that it coats the mealworms. Don’t use too much, just enough to lightly coat them. Then I add them to the feeder. I put out only enough for the bluebirds to eat from time to time especially when it rains for days and insects are hard to find and there’s baby “blues” in the nest.
Dana
Wow 5 more babies in 2nd nesting! Carol that’s awesome! More baby “blues” to bring more lovely days as I like to say now. Congrats!!
Dana
I was gonna say bluebirds don’t have the cheeks to store food like Chipmunks do. (lol bad joke I know)
Dana
Thanks all! Should hopefully be seeing eggs laid soon!!
LOL “Skyonitsback”! I see what you did there!
– Dana
Love it!! More baby “blues” to bring us more lovely days! Great photo David! Thanks for sharing!
Dana
Carol,
Glad to be of help! The male bluebird should defend the box from any others birds now that they are back to nest building. My pair are still nest building and they both attacked a robin today that perched on their box. Brave little souls as the robin was much larger than they are. Even the squirrels aren’t safe! Haha!
Dana
Wow that’s crazy! But it’s good to know it wasn’t my reposts. And yes I agree totally it’s mischief! It really stinks that you and Tammy even have to deal with it. Thanks for your response!
Regards, Dana
Tammy I apologize that may have been my fault by accident. I was trying to reply to Julie and Carol’s responses last nite and whenever I clicked the ‘submit’ button my replies never seem to go thru to be posted. So I tried reposting a few hoping they would go thru to the forum. Again I’m very sorry. I sure didn’t mean to spam the board.
Regards, Dana
Julie,
You’re very welcome! It’s one of my favorite tunes! Congrats on catching that pesky house sparrow too!
– Dana
Dennis,
Hello northern neighbor! Good to hear there are bluebirds up there where you are! I think its absolutely wonderful you are putting up a bluebird trail. It will definately help increase the local bluebird population as long as the boxes are monitored and maintained. Good luck and welcome to the forum!
Dana in southeastern PA
