Forum Replies Created
-
Posts
-
Hi Judy:
Strange that I signed on and read your post yesterday about your Bluebirds showing up. I still have 8 or 10 depending on the day, but yesterday I had at least 4 checking out one of my Bluebird boxes. They would hang on the front up to 3 at a time and then take off to the apple trees. This went on for an extended period of time and they were of both sexes. Some went in the box and others just looked, and one remained on the top of the box after the others left. If I didn’t know better I would think it was Spring. One was singing such a beautiful song this morning. Today I only saw 6 at one time. They definitely love those mealworms.
I hope yours hung around for you to enjoy.
ConnieI agree with Dana, doing the count again next year is a great idea, 92 is an impressive number for 8 of us.
ConnieHi Carol
I am happy to report some of my blues are still here. I got some more mealworms and I see them at the feeder every now and then. I cannot put any suit out, the black bears are not in hibernation yet and they will destroy the feeder trying to get to it, so for now I will try to stay with the worms.
ConnieJudy, I think this count is a great idea. I have 2 boxes but only one was used. The first nest had 5 eggs but one disappeared, the 4 remaining eggs hatched and fledged. The second nesting had 4 eggs, all hatched and fledged.
So a total of 8 new blue birds in Western PA in the sky.Connie
David your pictures are top notch. I always enjoy seeing them, and I also never saw any sitting on the box while fledging, but maybe no close trees explains it. I have apple trees close to the box so that was where they all headed. Thanks for sharing your blues with us.
ConnieJudy, you were right they do know how to surprise us. All 6 are back later than before but I see them both morning and night. I am
smiling again.
ConnieCarol, congrats on your third fledge, it is so cool to see how well they can fly right out of the nest. My last fledge is still coming for their evening feeding of dried and live mealworms, and I do believe they are the birds I see when I walk down past the farm. I will surely miss them when they leave.
ConnieHi Carol.
Glad all is OK again out your way and that Mama and Papa Blues straightened out those youngsters. I see what I believe is the last clutch plus Mama and Papa at the mealworm feeder most mornings and evenings gulping down the dried and live mealworms and squabbling over the spoils.
I was hoping for a third nesting but it was not meant to be, but I am thrilled they chose to nest here at all and they gave me immense joy this summer with the 8 babies they raised. I will be sad to see them go but next spring will be something to look forward to.
ConnieSo sorry Judy, I know how heartbreaking it can be to loose a Mama Blue. It happened to me a few years ago. I know it was a raccoon by the paw prints on the white fence, some of the eggs were gone and then Mama disappeared. I think she was injured by the coon.
Connie (PA)Well Dana, I hope I am as lucky at this end of PA as you are out your way. My 2nd nesting fledged 2 weeks ago today, so maybe it is too late in the season for a 3rd nesting, but I am not giving up hope just yet. Congrats on your first 3rd nesting. I am really happy for you.
Connie (PA)Lisa, I think you might have set or at least matched a record for a turn around on the 3rd nesting. It is so good to hear, congrats on that success.
Connie (PA)Hi David, read your post about the 3rd nesting, first of all congrats. Did she stop at 4 eggs or did your count go to 5?
My 2nd nesting fledged 2 weeks ago today and I am hoping they will do a third nesting here. That would be a first for me. I see the family in the AM and late PM at the mealworm feeder. They are all so adept at getting and out of the wire enclosure, it is amazing to watch.
Hope everything is going well with the flock down your way.
Connie (PA)Craig, I too am sorry to hear about the female Bluebird. I lost one either last year or the year before but I feel it was injured by a raccoon by the paw prints that were left on the white fence. I never did find her but she never returned.
Better luck next time.
Connie (PA)Hi Carol:
If the Bluebirds are still here come September I too will start on the suet. I hope they stay but who knows. As I said I am hoping for a 3rd nesting, seems like yours is moving along nicely.
Connie (PA)Hi Rich, our babies fledged on the same day. It is so interesting to watch the adult pair coax the fledglings out and so gratifying to see them fly for the first time.
I too have been feeding them live mealworms, a couple dozen twice a day. I am at an impasse on ordering any more. If they build another nest they could use them but if not, it will be a waste. Decisions, decisions.
Of course the first fledglings are as big as the parents now so I am sure between them and the new babies plus Mama and Papa, they will devour them in no time. Wishing you luck on the second nesting.
Connie (PA)
