Forum Replies Created
-
Posts
-
Congratulations 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, VACongratulations on your fledge. The Blues are always fun to watch as they grow. What is more fun is to see them when they return the next year.
I just posted elsewhere on my new hatch of 5.
David
Stafford, VAWe have 5 little ones in the nestbox. Today was the expected hatch day but they look like they might have hatched yesterday. I didn’t check the box yesterday but these hatchlings seem to have more nest feathers than my new other hatches. So I am estimating the fledge date to be Aug 19-20.
David
Stafford, VACher, you might try using several circle layers of hardware 1/4″ hardware cloth, offsetting each layer to prevent snakes or anything else from climbing the pole under your stovepipe. I cut the circles to fit inside the stovepipe and mount it above the pivot screws. I use scraps of the cut cloth about 2-4 squares wide and bend the edge wires down to make a sharp and prickly surface on the lower circle. I am not sure if it is sharp enough to pierce the skin of a snake but it could be irritating enough to make it want to look elsewhere. It is tedious work to make the circles but it gives me a feeling of security with my stovepipe.
I have also heard of using a scrambled mesh of chicken wire wrapped around the pole inside the baffle.
David
Stafford, VAHi Cher,
Yes we did. In fact there was a free concert going on at the time we were there so the tower was closed for visitors. We took in all of the lights from Stony Point down to Buffalo, 18 in all. There are some nice lighthouses in that group. We might try the Braddock Point Lighthouse Bed and Breakfast in the near future. 30 Mile Point was another possible stay.
David
David
Stafford, VAIts been a few days but now we have 5 eggs in the nest. It is supposed to be hot this weekend so I am watching the 2 parent birds for signs of stress. The nestbox seemed relatively cool when I snapped this shot. I expect the hatch date to be Aug 3.
David
Stafford, VAAfter the birds fledge you should take the nestbox down and clean it. I put my nestbox up again for those BB’s that stay over the winter. Have you noticed the bluebirds in the winter where you are. We are about 200 mi south of you and I have birds here year around. A group of them use the nestbox in the winter to roost at night. Now would be the time to invest in a pole to mount the nestbox on away from the fence.
As for the HOSP, I am not sure how much of a threat they are after the fledge. The young are usually with the parent birds in the trees where there is more protection from predators. Others may have more experience with this.
David
Stafford, VACarol is right. The bluebird family becomes OUR family as we monitor, feed, protect when necessary. It is normal to be concerned following the successful fledge of the young. But don’t let it get to you. You now have to clean the box and get it ready for the next cycle. The world goes on and the birds are now in their own element. Nature has a way of taking care of them beyond anything that we can do. Congratulations on the fledge of this brood
David
Stafford, VAWith the exception of constructing a canopy over the nestbox, you have done about all there is to do. We have 100 – 105 degree HI’s here in Virginia but they do not last for long. Nature has a way of cooling itself and you will probably not have any issues with the box. I have thought about using my shepherds’ hooks to hang a piece of plywood in front to the box to shield it from the South-west sun during the day. I am not sure how effective that might be.
David
Stafford, VA
