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Congratulations 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“I doubt I will get a third clutch this late in the season but I am thrilled with this year’s experience”
Never say Never Rich. If it stays warm you still could have another brood. It is up to the birds. And if not you can still provide mealworms through the winter if they stay around.
David
Stafford, VAWelcome Dana. I am relatively new here also but I have been “raising” Bluebirds about 8 years. Are you in the city or out toward the farm communities around Lancaster. Our family history is in the Lancaster, Marietta, Mount Joy area. We visit there quite frequently.
David
David
Stafford, VAYes it is good to see that they are trying the third time.
Dana, I love that photo in your profile. Where did you take it?David
David
Stafford, VACheetie, I am in Stafford, VA. I just had my second flrdge a couple of days ago and I expect another nest in a couple of weeks. In most years I have had 3 nestings.
We mentioned in another thread that the Bbirds may start a new nest from a couple of days to 3-4 weeks following the fledge of a brood. It depends on when the female is ready to start a new brood.
The only thing that you can do is clean out the nestbox and wait until they are ready. It sounds like you have all the basics. Just be patient.
For a lot of good information about monitoring bluebirds you should visit this website. It is probably the premiere for bluebird information source in the web.( http://www.sialis.org )
Happy 4th
David
David
Stafford, VANo pics of the fledging yesterday. The 4 little ones left sometime during the day from about 9 am to 4 pm. I sat on the deck for 20-30 minute at a time about every 2 hours during that time. I only saw the Mom and Dad bird sitting on the hook, bringing food to the nestbox, and chirping a storm during that time. We ate around 5:30 and I went out to check the box about 6:30 and found it empty.
Today I removed the box, cleaned it out, and put it back on the pole to dry. I am hoping for a third nesting in a couple of weeks (knocks on wood). I will watch for the new little ones flying around in the trees and on the power line.
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This reply was modified 9 years, 10 months ago by
. Reason: identify day of fledging
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This reply was modified 9 years, 10 months ago by .
David
Stafford, VAHave you tried using live mealworms. It is probably too late to get the large supplies through the mail but local pet stores like PetSmart usually have containers of live mealworms that they sell for reptile terrariums. The live worms are more nutritious for the young ones than the dried.
It sounds like you have a pretty determined female there. Continued success
David
David
Stafford, VA -
This reply was modified 9 years, 10 months ago by
