David in Stafford,VA

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Viewing 15 posts - 826 through 840 (of 872 total)
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  • in reply to: A confluence of bad events #2349

    As the others have said, it is very hard to deal with nature in the wild. I agree that the initial pierced eggs sound like a House Wren I had that experience twice last year and saw it once. The second egg removal sounds like the new male might have done it. I also had that happen last year after the male lost his first female. I never saw them removing the 4 eggs but they were gone and she started laying a new brood. That was the one the wren got. I took the box down, cleaned it out and put it aside until this spring. I didn’t have this forum and the information about the wren guard last year that I could have used to keep the box up.

    David
    Stafford, VA

    in reply to: Picture Test #2246

    It just depends on the female and when she is ready to lay the eggs. I have ad them go from 5 days to 5 weeks. This year They built the second nest about 20 days after the first birds fledged but she didn’t lay the first egg of the second clutch until day 22. She only laid 4 eggs and is incubating them now.
    Last year they built a second nest after about 3 weeks but never laid another egg. They did have nestbox competition and may have gone elsewhere for the second family.

    BTW you are doing pretty good without a tripod. I may have to look at another lens. That 250 looks pretty good It looks a bit sharper than my 200.
    David

    David
    Stafford, VA

    in reply to: Picture Test #2244

    Nice photos Scot. Looks like your Blues enjoy the mealworm feeder.

    David

    David
    Stafford, VA

    in reply to: Bluebird family returns #2228

    Scot – you will enjoy using the zoom lens. You can get close without having to spook the birds. There are instructions for posting photos in the Sticky thread titled “Posting Tips for The New Bluebird Nut Cafe.” I do crop the photos about 60% prior to posting. It is not that hard to do. I look forward to seeing your work.

    Bob- The training process is fun to watch if you get the opportunity. The little ones mimic the parent but then sit and wait with an open beak to be fed.

    David
    Stafford, VA

    in reply to: Bluebird family returns #2179

    Rick – that was my thought too. I am going to try to get photos as they mature if they keep coming around.

    Nicole – I hope that your young ones will come back. Maybe mama bird can coax them back when she can get off the nest after the hatch.

    David

    David
    Stafford, VA

    in reply to: How many days to fledge #2172

    Well, I stand corrected on my last post. It is not necessary to have been trained to a mealworm feeder. Here are 2 of the young from may last fledge in May back on the shepherds hook in the yard waiting on mama bird who is in the nestbox laying a 3rd egg in the second clutch.

    David
    Stafford, VA

    in reply to: One bright spot in an otherwise depressing day… #2166

    Sorry to hear the troubles with the nests. There seems to be a lot of that happening around the forum. But your seeing that beginning of the robin hatch is just great. I have not had that opportunity.
    It sounds like it cheered you up a bit. Congratulations.

    David

    David
    Stafford, VA

    in reply to: Bluebird family returns #2153

    A couple of photos this morning of the young with papa bird. Mama bird is in the nestbox.

    David
    Stafford, VA

    in reply to: Second Nesting #2151

    Here is the photo of the second egg taken this afternoon.

    David
    Stafford, VA

    in reply to: Bluebird family returns #2149

    posted in Second Nesting

    David
    Stafford, VA

    in reply to: Bluebird family returns #2148

    Thanks Carol. yes it is the same pair. i am hoping that they stay around but I haave never had that happen either. More photos tomorrow

    David
    Stafford, VA

    in reply to: Second Clutch question #2145

    It sounds like they are in the building process again. Good luck,

    David
    Stafford, VA

    in reply to: Exciting development #2140

    The bluebirds are looking for a nesting place and you have provided them with a possible location. The HOSPs will be a problem but you seem to have the potential solver already in place. Be patient. The birds know when it is time to build a nest and whether it is safe to call your nextbox home.
    Good luck on your venture.

    David

    David
    Stafford, VA

    in reply to: Bluebirds abandon five babies #2131

    all is right with the world. Let us know the progress with the new nest.

    David

    David
    Stafford, VA

    in reply to: Bluebirds abandoned nest #2129

    How long have the birds been away? I have not heard of anyone being able to “incubate and raise” birds from the wild. This is just natures way. If the birds have been gone for more than a couple of weeks then you are going to have to start over. Clean out the nestbox of the nest and eggs and put the box back up. Then it is just “wait and see”

    David
    Stafford, VA

Viewing 15 posts - 826 through 840 (of 872 total)