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Most of the time they do fledge when nobody is watching because people have other things to do! I most always miss mine.
Gin
Atlanta, GAWhat is the acceptable number of days from hatching is fledging expected?
The normal range is usually 16-18 days but that can go before or after that.
Gin
Atlanta, GABut it didn’t come out that way, so what did I do wrong?
Beats me. Sorry. It’s been awhile since I signed on here.
Not that it really matters. We know who you are now!Gin
Atlanta, GAYou need a spooker on this box the day she lays the first egg and you can make it yourself. http://www.sialis.org/sparrowspooker.htm
An inbox trap is almost necessary to catch a bait bird for your repeating trap. You should put it in another box nearby.
http://www.vanerttraps.com/products.htmAs far as using your DRST, we have a thread going that is devoted to that. Have you looked at it? It’s stickied at or near the top of the main forum page.
Gin
Atlanta, GALindsey, I agree with Carol. Apparently this bird is extremely opinionated but perfectly normal. We’ll have to wait and see what other opinions he expresses.
Gin
Atlanta, GAI know. Been there, done that and bought the DVD. Maybe the birds will do a better job next cycle.
Gin
Atlanta, GAWelcome David and Scot!
Scot, I have had a few times with a 25% or less hatch rate. There isn’t much you can do about that and I know it’s sad to see all that potential wasted.
Gin
Atlanta, GAEABL absolutely will build over any nest if they want the box. They will also remove eggs of another species if they want the box. Like Cher said, you can reduce the hole to stop this from happening.
Gin
Atlanta, GASomebody here had one break this season so it’s another judgment call. If you can get the unhatched out easily then go ahead and take them out Saturday or so. A plastic spoon works great because it easily slips under the egg.
Gin
Atlanta, GAThe most accepted practice is to save only a nest where nobody fledged. Eggs laid and abandoned? That’s fine. Nests in which chicks were raised are always contaminated in some way. It’s safer to trash those.
Gin
Atlanta, GALet’s hope she continues to ignore the new male. If she should get interested in him, there is a chance she will abandon these chicks and move on. Be watchful!
Gin
Atlanta, GAThe height of the nest in relation to the entrance is pretty important. Assuming the box is on a baffled pole, the greatest danger is from an avian predator that would be able to snatch hatchlings through the hole. A 1.5″ hole would admit the head of starlings, crows, and woodpeckers all of whom prey on baby birds. What you need to look at is where the cup of the nest is in relation to the entrance. If it looks far enough away that no head can reach them then things should be fine.
Just so everybody knows, for years I have gone against the normal way of keeping mealworms. I easily keep 5000 in a plastic shoebox size container, holes drilled in the top and with NO bedding. None! Every week they get raw carrot slices and a 24 hour stay on the kitchen counter. Every once in a while over the course of a couple of months, a couple of them die but that’s it.
Gin
Atlanta, GAYou shouldn’t have to grease that pole again until next season. It lasts a long time and doesn’t harden quickly. You did put it up under the baffle, right? We don’t want feathers to come into contact with that stuff.
Those little birdies are looking really good! I love to see them all huddled up together.
Gin
Atlanta, GAI’ve heard of people microwaving nests after the fledglings go and place it back into the box to promote a second brood (I love EABLs but not sure I’m putting a bird’s nest into my microwave :).
Never. Never. Never would I do that.
And not so much because of the microwave. Gin
Atlanta, GA
