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Hey Randy, that has to be exciting to see a baby owl. I have to admit I never have, but like you I would be concerned for the Blues. I hope things work out for the best, and the Barred Owl Mama does not decide to harm anything other than the chipmunks.
Connie (PA)That is great news Carol, so exciting. I am glad things are working out so good. Sounds like you have your plans worked out for protecting the next clutch. Hope you have a great Fourth, celebrate and have fun.
We are headed for our cabin too on Sat. and I think the babies will fledge on that day, but I got to do what I got to do.
Connie (PA)Wow Susan, that is wonderful. Five new BB’s out in the world. Your yard sounds like Grand Central with the TRES and the BB’s flying around. It must be exciting to see.
Another nest so soon is amazing. I hope it does well too, and that you get a change to see the first family again.
Keep us informed.
Connie (PA)Hi Carol:
Wish I had good news and could tell you that Mama BB was still around, but there has not been anything but Papa here for 3 days. He is feeding the little ones and I hope they are mature enough to get through the chill we are experiencing, only in the low 70’s today and pretty chilly and by Tues. the temps are supposed to be around 50 degrees at night in Pittsburg meaning we may drop into the 40’s. No sign of a new female, but I hoping he will find a new mate once this family is raised, and that they will honor me with a new clutch. No word from anyone yet about those mealworms. I left feedback on Amazon, so others will not fall into the same trap.
Connie (PA)One more set back, yesterday before I left the house I saw both Mama and Papa sitting on the electric wire and then yesterday evening I noticed only Papa going back and forth to the box. I thought maybe because of the rain storms we were getting Mama was staying inside to keep the babies protected. Well today there is only Papa around, feeding the babies continually, no Mama, a repeat of last year. It saddens me so to see this happen again. The babies are 10 days old so hopefully they will make it. We are not expecting any cold temperatures and if Papa can hang in there all will work out.
Connie/PA
Hi Carol:
I ordered the mealworms from a company on Amazon. I left feedback and will see what they intend to do.
I was here to receive the delivery, but even the mailman mentioned the smell, he kept them in the back seat trying to eliminate the odor from his seated area.
I tried separating them but after an hour I gave up.
I fed them and left them sit in a container with holes in the top for air for a day then refrigerated.
Connie (PA)Hi Susan:
I thank you for the name of a reliable supplier of mealworms. I will write that down in the journal I am keeping on the babies, and will try that business on the next go round. I am located in the Western part of PA, north of Pittsburgh along Rt. 80. I spent a good part of an hour trying to locate wheat bran and finally located some at a bulk food store.
Connie (PA)Hi Randy:
I am sure you are right about the bear, I know one has been here 4 times, not sure it is the same one but never the less I keep a close watch before I step out the door. One was on our deck a few weeks ago at night and we didn’t know it till we went to leave the dog out and he and the bear had a run for the hillside. The fox family sounds like lots of fun, I love watching wild animals and I have lots of chipmunks that a fox could chase, but I have only seen one here in the yard a few years ago. I can understand not feeding the birds while nesting, but I bring the dish in at night, so as not to attract some other critters. I hope I am doing the right thing.
Connie (PA)Hi Gin:
No I do not have a raccoon baffle on the pole, not sure a raccoon can climb a 3/4 inch pole, but by the time I read about adding one it was too late to do that, but when these babies fledge I will make sure one is attached somehow in case they do another nest. I think the problem was the fence and bowl they gave that nasty critter a foot hold. Both those items are now eliminated.
Connie (PA)Hi Carol:
My mealworms arrived and goodness I never expected them to be delivered the way they were. They came in a box with holes punched in the side, and a cotton bag inside with the worms. I believe there were as many dead as alive, and the smell is kinda overpowering. I started to try to separate the living from the dead but that would have taken hours. Maybe I just made a mistake in where I ordered. So I just take a scoop of both and the BB’s seem to separate them on their own. I did use the cornmeal because that is what I had on hand but I will look for the wheat bran tomorrow. I added some carrots but they did not consume them all so when I switch the bran for the cornmeal I will remove what is remaining so that it doesn’t mold. Feeder bowl is moved and is working great in it’s new location. Thanks for the info.
Connie (Pa)Hi Randy:
I am keeping a close eye on my remaining babies but no one can be on guard continually. Sunday evening as we sat here in the family room watching TV I saw what I thought was someone on the patio and then had a second look and it was Mama and baby bear. Mama was trying to reach my Hummingbird feeder and standing straight up teaching baby how it is done, luckily it was out of her reach but then I started to worry about my BB’s. One of them bent that feeder I had attached to the pole but thankfully they did not touch the box, so yesterday we moved it to a separate post and both Mama and Papa BB have found it. Hopefully we will not have any more unwanted guests. Whew, raising baby BB’s can be taxing.
Connie (PA)Hi Lisa:
I hope all works out with the late nesting. I am hoping that when these fledge at the end of the month I will be lucky enough to get a second nesting. Time will tell.
ConnieHi Mrsblu:
Last year I had Mama disappear, have no idea what happened to her, but Papa Blue raised 4 little ones for weeks on his own. I wonder if the male I have this year is the same one with a new mate, nice thought even if he isn’t. Any marks on the female you found? I am so sorry this has happened to you. He may find a new mate and she might help him finish taking care of the babies, but I am guessing he will do the job himself.
Connie (PA)Hi Tammy:
I hope the hole reducer worked and that all is well with the fledglings. Boy the things we have to do to be guardians of our feathered friends. Good Luck.
Connie (PA)Thanks Lisa, Tammy and Randy:
I do have some sad news to report, I lost two babies the other night, I don’t know for sure but I suspect a raccoon, was worried about a fence but thought sure it was far enough away but something reached in during the night and snatched two of them. I have a small feeder bowl attached to the pole that I can put mealworms in and that was slid down the pole so I am figuring that is what frightened whatever was there away and also what brought my attention to the box that morning….Anyway with Mama and Daddy watching we moved the box with the nest and 2 remained babies about 20 feet away and in about a half hour or so Mama and Daddy checked it out and things have gone back to normal. Thank goodness for that. Like everyone said we learn from our mistakes. I hope that is the last one of that nature I make.
Connie
