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Last year I tried normal sized boxes with an extra hole in the side and still had a bluebird killed. They succeeded in a similar box on the same property. This year I made a bigger box. I think the size matters so that a bluebird can fully extend its wings inside. Less chance of getting trapped.
Darn it! Pretty sure the are abandoned at this point. I took a photo of the eggs a few days apart and they haven’t moved…not even a blade of grass is moved. So sad and disappointed. Anything I can do to salvage the eggs at this point or are they likely dead?
Sadly I think the eggs are abandoned. Only three still and no mom in sight or earshot. Holding out hope but the eggs felt cool.
I was scared to pull the screen out. I had success last year despite the screen. I have yet to see the mom or dad for this round. Only three eggs still.
Mission accomplished! I lowered the box, m
Carefully removed the egss and took some nest off the top and put it over the screen. Hopefully that does it. I still haven’t seen mom. Only 3 eggs still. Will that be it? Also do they not need to sit on them when it’s a really hot day?Thanks for all the replies. I believe the screen was sold as easy cleanup. I have to say I am terrified of moving the egg and addind grass. I just don’t want to risk cracking them (there are 3 or 4 now)!
Oh boy I better get cleaning then…hope I am not too late. My boxes are not too far from you in Oreland.
Last I checked all is well. Dad and mom were both feeding the wee ones. I may have to try that trap. Just scared of trapping a swallow.
I just got one on today….well just the fishing line version. I saw the dad feeding them today thank goodness. Now I have to get rid of that sparrow nearby somehow.
Well, there seems to be something to the extra room/floor space in the box. That is one part I didn’t quite understand. Now I think I understand that the box is designed much larger because this allows the larger bluebird to have more room to move, fend off and escape to fight outside. If you look at a fight outside in the open, bluebirds tend to have an easy time fighting the sparrows off. I tried two holes in a small box and it failed because the bluebird is still trapped in a small floor space. They cannot open their wings fully but the sparrow can move around freely since they are so much smaller and quick. I am thinking of making mansions this time around because I cannot monitor my boxes at all times.
Don’t apologize! I really am a rookie. My first bluebirds ever fledged last year. I have fledged a lot of swallows before though. I didn’t put up spookers but maybe I should? I always thought those were for once the eggs were laid. I was thinking of making a two hole mansion and putting that up in place once I know which box they choose.Wish I could sit there with a bb gun and take care of the problem one by one!
Do those pellets or freeze-dried mealworms and mealworm cakes they sell for bluebirds in Walmart, Lowes, etc. work?
OMG a new(?) pair was there when I checked after work today! Now I am super paranoid though! I just know those little devils are somewhere. Now I wonder if that dead one was part of a pair or not?
