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Very tolerant once they have settled in and get to know your routine and those of the neighbors. My neighbors on both sides of my house have dogs that bark at squirrels and birds in the trees. The blues have become used to the noise and they sit on top of the box, in the nest, on the shepherds hook, etc. and do not seem to mind the commotion. They will spook if something startles them – such as me opening the slider to walk out onto my deck without checking to see if they are nearby but if I am quiet, walk slowly, and don’t make quick movements they are okay.
David
David
Stafford, VAI have a “woodsy” area around my house also. The bluebirds nest in the box and seem to find an endless supply of grubs and insects in the natural surroundings. I tried to feed the mealworms also but I stopped when (1) the didn’t take any from the feeder and (2) they seemed to do well on their own feeding the 2 or 3 broods of 5 hatchlings and themselves each year.
As the others have said – do clean the box now. It is better to clean in now while we have a bit of mild weather while they are roosting. Even if it takes a day or 2 for the box to dry out they will return. You are not evicting them forever. Nature has way of keeping them healthy.
David
David
Stafford, VAGreat work. Any dent that you make in the “population” is significant and, as you have seen, the other birds appreciate your efforts
Thank You
David
David
Stafford, VACarol
The birds do return at times following the last nesting and do bring some materials to the box. When I put my nestbox back up after cleaning on the 3rd nesting I leave the front panel door open. It stays open until October when the weather cools down here. That way they do not try to rebuild a nest in the box. They still come to it, hop around, fly to and from the trees, just to see if the box is still here.Relax, they will be okay.
David
David
Stafford, VABob – you should have the BB during the winter. They will find shelter as they need it and may not stay in the same location on consecutive nights. I am certain that they have used my nestbox during the winter as there are a couple of down feathers, some fecal matter, and maybe a loose wing feather (blues) but I do not know when they have stayed in the box. They are always gone by the time that I am awake enough to want to go out and check.
Providing the mealworms and heated water dish will keep them in the area, but they will continue to forage the trees, woods, and brush for insects, larva, berries, etc. if it is available.Have a great fall and winter of observing.
David
David
Stafford, VAI am sorry that I missed this post. I think that Gin answered your question very well. I have not experienced the loss of a parent bird. But from what I have read, Gin is correct that a single parent will assume the prime caretaker role. It might take a bit of time (I assume that there is a “grieving” or questioning time following the loss), but survival and protection instincts seem to be pretty strong in our bluebirds.
You did the right thing.David
David
Stafford, VAHi Susan,
You have done a great job of bringing that last brood to fledging. Nichole said it very well that we all enjoy “raising” our bluebirds and helping others that are experiencing difficulties or situations where we can. Each of us has probably asked similar questions at one time or another and received welcome assistance from others. This forum is unique, I believe, because everyone has an interest in preserving this beautiful species and they can empathize with those that are experiencing a HOSP, Wren, loss of parent bird, critter issue etc. We all have dealt with it at one time or another and are willing to share and propose solutions in a friendly way as opposed to a “my way is always right way” that I have seen elsewhere.
Good luck on your next years efforts.
David
David
Stafford, VAGood for you. Congratulations in a pretty trying effort to save a clutch of young blues. It is good to hear that the male bird did weather the “grieving”, fed the young and helped bring them to a successful fledge.
David
David
Stafford, VAI missed another fledging on Friday. There was a lot of activity with the 2 parents bringing food to the young ones. But I did not expect them to go until Saturday. I did see a lot of “peeking” out of the box by several of the young but they did not venture out while I sat there and took these pictures. All in all I must have spent 4 hours watching the box and taking a few snaps but did not see them go.
On Saturday morning I looked out to see if the parents were watching for the first ones to leave the box but they were nowhere in sight. I waited until 11:00 AM before I decided that I needed to see what was happening so I could get on with mowing the lawn. I found the box empty. So they must have fledged after I used the grill on the deck around 5:00 PM on Friday. Cleaning the nestbox today and letting it dry before putting it back up for the winter occupants.
Checking out the neighborhood
Dad must be showing which way to fly out of the box
David
Stafford, VACongratulations on the fledge. I think that all of us have some concerns about the excessive heat that we have experienced this summer. But nature does take care of itself. I will let you know how my group this week. Due to fledge on Saturday (which is supposed to be only 88 degrees. – yea -below 90!)
David
Stafford, VAI stopped by the nestbox to check on the little ones while I was mowing the lawn. They were just resting, waiting for breakfast. Mama and Papa found a lot of bugs in the lawn as I was mowing. I watched them as I moved away from the box.
David
Stafford, VAIt doesn’t hurt to leave it up in the winter. It can provide a place for the BB’s to roost during the winter evenings.
Just watch it to keep it clear of nesting material. I have noticed that my nestbox is not occupied every night during the winter months. The birds will use it when their “weather instinct” tells them that they need additional shelter.BTW – those young bluebirds on the wire could have been yours.
David
Stafford, VAHere is a a photo of the new hatchlings at 5 days old. Looking for them to fledge about August 19-20 since I don’t know when they actually hatched. Both parents are busy feeding the young and they are now sharing the back yard with a pair of hummingbirds.
David
Stafford, VACongratulations on your new hatches Carol and Nicole. My 5 joined yours either yesterday of today. I am not sure which day (see other post). It is good to see that we are about to add at least 13 mew Bluebirds to the population. Prayers for continued health and survival of all of them.
David
David
Stafford, VA
