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Carol, I am sorry to post this to your thread, but my new topic went to the moderators for some reason.
This just happened a few minutes ago. The eggs were due to hatch on Sunday.
David
Stafford, VAMeredith, Chris is right. I have a male bird that checked the box after the young had fledged. Your mail is probably looking in to see if the box is ready for the next nest.
I usually leave the box up for 2 days following the fledge date in case one or some of the new ones are reluctant to leave. If there were a bird left in the nest, one or both parent birds would be in and out of the nest feeding the remaining young. If the male is just checking the nestbox, I would say that it is safe to open the box and clean it out in preparation for the next brood.
David
Stafford, VATim, Here is the text from the April 23 post about posting photos from “imjur” (a free photo service online) for your information. Glad to answer any questions if you are interested in this route.
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This procedure will help you post photos from your phone to this forum if you use it on The Bluebird forum.
I am assuming that you have your photos on your phone.
Download and install the imjur mobile app to your phone. Upload your photos to imjur.
Prepare your post in the forum. DO NOT CLOSE!
1. Open the imjur app. From the homepage, tap the “contact” icon in the bottom right corner (circle and oval) This should take you to your photos.
2. Tap photo to post.
3. Tap “share” or the share arrow in the lower right corner.
4. Click “Copy Link”.
5. Go back to the forum and paste your link. You will not see the photo here.
6. When you finish your post, tap “submit+.
You will see your post and photo in the thread above.David
Stafford, VATammy, I just use a corrugated box that I trim to come down to about mid-entrance level on the nestbox. I use a couple of drywall screws to hold it on top. If it gets soaked during a rain storm I just cut up another box. I have not had to use the guard for a couple of years now as my wood rectangle heat protector seems to be a deterrent as well.
David
Stafford, VADon’t mean to be picky, Tim, but you should really put a baffle on that narrow nestbox pole to keep the “critters and snakes” out.
Like your photos. your posting system seems to work.David
Stafford, VAThis nesting should be interesting, Carol. Look forward to your progress reports.
David
Stafford, VATammy, I tried to post a new thread on May 8 or 9 about my new hatch. I did not see it come up so I tried it again and that one failed also. I got a “This thread needs to be moderated” note on the last try. I seem to be able to respond to threads but not start one.
David
Stafford, VADana is right. The blues will rebuild a messed up nest. don’t let it go too long as momma bird may be ready to lay eggs.
David
Stafford, VAHope nothing serious has happened, Dave. If it has, the male should be okay with the brood until fledge. Then he will search for a new mate.
David
Stafford, VAI have never liked the recycled plastic houses, so I don’t know about their heat characteristics. I do have a Trek composite board deck. The deck gets very hot in the summer. You cannot walk on it with bare feet. For that reason- anything that you can do to cool the temperature inside the box will help the birds. I have a piece of 1/2″ Styrofoam with two 1/2″ spacers for air flow in on the Southwest side of my nestbox to deter the heat. If it gets too warm (90+ degrees for an extended period) I put a piece on top also.
I always take my nestbox down after each fledging. I remove the old nest, clean it out with soap and water and let it dry, repair anything that needs to be fixed and the put it back for the next nest. That would be a good time to lightly sand the sides of the door.
The pair will return in about 1-2 weeks to start a new brood. If they liked the house before they will probably defend it from another pair.
David
Stafford, VAOn your door issue – I have a commercially built nestbox also and have sanded each side of the door. After this little one has fledged, you could open the door and lightly sand the side edges until they open easier. Not too much as it should still close securely when you have finished. If the nestbox is made of wood, it will expand and become tighter (will not open) during high humidity and rain events. As the weather dries the door should be easier to open.
David
Stafford, VA
