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Thanks Julie. It IS a matter of right place- right time to get the photos. I probably would have missed it had I not walked past the nest box after putting my lawn mower away. As I started by the box, I noticed a little head of one of the nestlings sticking out of the hole. This usually means that they are ready to fledge. I stopped and backed up to take a longer walk around the back of the box to not spook the bird. I went into the house and got my camera and binoculars and went out on the deck to see if I could get the photo. You see the result. Like I said, I almost gave up as it was hot and I was in the sun for more than 15 minutes before anything happened. I love this sport.
David
Stafford, VAThanks Carol and Dave. Congratulations on your fledge. Yes. that is a piece of Styrofoam on the southwest side of the nestbox. It is there for keeping the box a bit cooler during the summer. I did put a cover over the box last spring when our March and April temps were so cold and I had eggs in the box. I think that it helped as 4 of the 5 eggs hatched on April 28 while it was still very cool in the mornings.
David
Stafford, VAYou can also use lithium grease that comes in a tube and looks like white toothpaste. You can find it in the auto supply section of places like Walmart, and at the auto supply stores. Use it just like Carol said.
Lucas White Lithium Grease on Amazon
David
Stafford, VAOne idea. Carry a pair of scissors or possibly a small weed clipper with you on your walks through the park and clip the long grass growing around the base of the nestbox pole. Or just pull the grass out. No-one is going to criticize you for “prettying up” the trail.
David
Stafford, VAGreat. I am Very happy for you after the questionable start. Bluebirds are persistent, aren’t they?
David
Stafford, VAI just watch your posts and add the numbers to my spreadsheet. I look for 1st, 2nd or 3rd nesting, number of eggs per nesting, number hatched and number fledged. I use the final totals to send to Cornell University for their Nationwide Bluebird counts as most of our contributors here do not report their individual data to Cornell. Cornell looks at statewide data but I let them know that my information comes from individuals across the nation and is not broken down by location.
Right now I am tracking 12 first nestings and 1 second nesting.David
Stafford, VAI thought that it was strange that the bluebirds would be at the seed feeders but they are regulars, along with the wood peckers, gold and house finches, cardinals, doves, tree and song sparrows, wrens and a few others from time to time – but no house sparrows. I use the bird seed from Wild Birds Unlimited that has the shelled sunflower and safflower seeds with dried berries mixed with a premium seed that I get from Walmart that has some sunflower seeds, fruit and nuts, but non of the millet, rape seed and corn that are in the other brands. I have read that the BBs do eat seeds and dried berries but did not notice it until this winter when they came to the feeders.
David
Stafford, VA
