Forum Replies Created
-
Posts
-
This 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, VAWe have 5 little ones in the box. Must have hatched yesterday as it rained all day and I did not check the box. Moma bird is a very persistent “dive bomber. She flies right at my face but always pulls off at about 6 feet away.
David
Stafford, VAGood to hear from you Glenn. The general time frame from hatch to fledge is 17 days. Do you know when the hatch took place?
For future reference Date of Hatch = Date of last egg laid + 14 days. Date of Fledge = Date of Hatch + 17 days.
Each of the dates could vary +/- a day or two due to weather, viability of the hatchlings, etc.David
Stafford, VA
