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Carol, that is a wonderful tip. I have not had it happen to me but my neighbor had one in her garage a few years ago. Now to remember what to do if that situation should arise. Thanks.
Connie (PA)So happy for you Judy. I am so glad you got to see Papa and one baby bathing.
We just had lots of rain, 4 inches here in the last 4 days, but there are lots of places with more than we got, but while it rained day and night I did not put any mealworms out since they do not survive in water. I have not seen any blue birds around at all, but this morning I could hear a baby chirping so I assumed they were around yet. I put out some mealworms when the weather let up but it drizzled on and off all day long, but when I went to get the feed dish to dump it out all the worms were gone. I put more out and whistled but nothing appeared, so we will see what happens in the AM. It has been a good year, and I have so many happy memories of helping 10 new BB’s take to the sky.
Connie (PA)It is hard Tammy to know that soon I probably will not see any more BB’s for the remainder of the year, but it definitely has been a great year and I enjoyed every day from the first day I saw the pair checking out the BB box till today when they are still coming in for food and bathing.
We can look forward to next year and more BB’s, and spend the cold, snowy months feeding the winter birds, and before we know it spring will be here again.
Connie (PA)Hi Judy:
We went away on the 30th of Aug. and just got home today. I had no idea what happened to my new fledglings but I put fresh worms out and whistled but did not see a thing. Tonight around 7:30 I was on the phone when I husband motioned to me, pointing towards the feed dish. I looked out and saw 4 BB’s but could not identify if they were the new babies or Mama and Papa and two babies, but at least I know they are still around and then two of them went to the bird bath and took a bath. I thought the new babies would just start coming down out of the trees to feed themselves since they are only 11 days out of the nest, so possibly the ones I saw were from the first fledge. I know how much you enjoyed watching them and following their progress, I did the same.
Hope you have better luck next year, but 3 new BB’s is better than none.
Connie (PA)Tammy I was keeping a good eye out, I saw when she laid the first egg and thought I had kept track pretty closely but then one day I guess doesn’t make much difference. The babies are all crying for food at this point and should fledge in another week. The first set never show up anymore that I see, but Mama put them out a couple times so maybe after these one fledge they will return. Only time will tell.
Connie (PA)Gee Tammy that is good to know about the TRES, I definitely do not want to attract them if I can help it. I will stick with the BB’s of possible.
Connie (PA)That might be the answer, they were only hatched a few days and I didn’t know they didn’t feed them worms for the first few days. I saw Mama put the first set of babies out of the feeder more than once. They were back last night but she took care of that once again, but at least I know the first set are still around and I may get to see them feed their new brothers or sisters if I am lucky. The new babies are a week old now and Mama and Papa seem to be finishing off the worms each day. They also were bigger than the ones I had before.
Connie (PA)Lisa, how did moving the feeder work out? I hope it has lured those babies back to your yard. I do not have a feeder cage just too darn expensive for my pocketbook, but it must be interesting seeing them figure it out.
Connie (PA)Reading you last post Lisa makes me feel so good and I know finding your babies in great shape makes you feel the same. I agree, they do seem to be very smart. Perhaps the over grown shrubbery and feral cats has something to do with them going to the golf course. They do like wide open spaces though, so maybe they would have gone there anyways. I am glad that mystery has been solved and you can rest now knowing they are all Okay. I know if mine disappear I will miss them too. I get so much joy out of seeing them feed at the dish and 4 at a time in the birdbath.
Connie (PA)Hi agp:
I cannot advise you on what to do about taking the box down, maybe someone else with more experience than I have will chime in here. I would think by now if Papa did not find another mate, he probably won’t yet this season. What is a slot box, I have never heard of them as far as I know. My 6 babies are still here so I am hoping they stay for the winter, but that is probably a stretch on my part thinking they might do that. Mama is incubating 4 eggs as I write this, they should hatch this coming Thurs. so that makes 10 this year if these 4 make it. Maybe a slot box is a good thing for me to look into.
Connie (PA)Lisa, that is great news, at least it gives you a good feeling to know they are still around. Why they do not come for the mealworms is a real mystery. I didn’t get to spend too much time outside today but I am happy to report I am still seeing the young’uns, and they empty the dish of both dried and live mealworms every day. Mama is incubating and Papa checks the eggs every now and then. A nest of robins had one baby fledge today, don’t know how many there are, the nest is in my grape arbor and too high for me to see in.
I hope you get to see those blues coming in for the mealworms soon.
Connie (PA)Cari, that is good to know. We as a rule do not get overly hot for any extended period of time, but I know lots of members have that problem living in the south or mid-western states. This may be a solution for them. Thanks for the info.
Connie (PA)Cari, wouldn’t the ice pack sweat and melt dripping water into the nest causing a wet nest and mold. That is the only draw back I can think of.
Connie (PA)I also hope they are safe Lisa. I know we worry too much about them, but once you are hooked they become like our responsibility. I hope it isn’t a snake, but moving the feeder might be helpful. It is strange that they aren’t gulping those mealworms down. Keep us up to date on what is going on.
Connie (PA)Lisa, I am mystified too, why the whole brood would disappear when they are only fledged for 10 days is a real mystery.
I fed my brood this AM and we were gone for the day, when I went out with mealworms this evening and whistled not one bird showed up, very unusual but a while later I saw Mama in the box and then maybe a half hour later Papa, and finally the whole brood. I thought they had disappeared too but they have all returned.
I hope your next post reports your brood has returned too.
Connie (PA)
