Forum Replies Created
-
Posts
-
I don’t believe that I have ever seen the male build the nest. But then, I have always had a pair. The male does bring grass, pine needles etc but the female generally puts it all together. Maybe some of the others have had this experience.
David
Stafford, VAIt sounds like he is trying to claim the box and is calling for the mate. Keep a watch for the wrens and sparrows but if you see the grass circle you have a BB nest on the way. Good luck, Brad.
David
Stafford, VALisa, you need to take a breath and relax. Feedings happen in spurts – not continuously. Mine feed early in the morning like between 7:00 to around 10:00 then they seem to take a break until 2:00 and then another spurt around 5:-7pm. They may not come to the box as long as you are outside in the vicinity of the box. You may not see any activity at the nestbox for an hour if it is warm. The female would probably be inside if the weather gets bad or it cools down significantly before they rest for the night.
Enjoy the blues as they grow.
David
Stafford, VALisa, I hope the little ones are okay. It just could have been a drop by mama as she was clearing the nest. Good luck.
David
Stafford, VADay 1 with the new hatchlings and mama and papa blues are actively feeding the young. Here are a couple of photos of them at work today.
David
Stafford, VAI can only echo what has been said above. The best place for a nestbox is in the open yard/field with no close shrubs or trees. Ideally, you should have 15-20 feet of space from overhanging branches or tall fencing, posts, shrubs, etc. to prevent dropping squirrels,snakes, and other critters from getting to your nestbox. Squirrels can and do jump quite a distance. Those overhanging branches and shrubs are also habitat for wrens, sparrows, and other threats to the Blues.
Here is a shot of my box. I have about an acre + and the width is about 165′ The box is located about 75′ from a big maple on the left and about 35′ from the trees behind. There is another big maple and a Persimmon tree 85′ to the right. I keep the branches pruned to keep them being used as launch areas. If you have the space, try to keep the box in an open spot.
David
Stafford, VAI agree with both Lisa and Carol. Remove both the nest and the eggs. I did have a situation similar to this a few years ago where the pair had 4 eggs in the nest and then the female did not return. I believe the male found a new mate about 4 days later and she started to build a nest on top of the old nest and eggs. I removed the old nest and eggs and they continued to build and did fledge a nest of 4 little blues.
David
Stafford, VACongratulations on the new blues. Keep us posted on their growth
Mine should arrive on Thursday or Friday (26-27)David
Stafford, VANormal time for incubation is 14 days from the date of the last egg. You are looking at a hatch around May 1. Could be Apr 30 but the May date is pretty good. Good luck.
David
Stafford, VAThat is an ingenious idea Dana. I haven’t had HOSP problems but have a few wrens that make life interesting I am going to look for a “snake” to have just in case I need it.
David
David
Stafford, VAThanks everyone. I will try the guard on Monday. We have grandkids coming over for an egg hunt and picnic in the yard for Easter and that should keep the wrens away from the nestbox for most of the afternoon. We will see what happens.
Glad to hear about your broods Lisa and Carol. Gin, do you have any nest with eggs yet We have at least 15 new BBs on the way. :)
David
David
Stafford, VA
