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Hi Randy: I am really surprised by the timing of this new nest. My first brood of bluebirds fledged on the 20th. Papa blue was returning to the house a few times each day. Both mama and papa started building a new nest yesterday on the 23rd. It seems so soon! Plus, the TRES babies (7) just fledged on the 22nd. As I have said, both birdhouses are mounted on the same pole, so there is activity around those houses 24/7. The TRES babies fly around in formation and go back in the house at nighttime. The parents are still feeding. I feel like I am in a “Top Gun” sequel when those babies start flying around.
So basically, when I look out my window at the pole, there are either TRES feeding their young or bluebirds building their nest. My biggest concern is the sparrow spooker. I have one sparrow spooker that protected both houses. I would like to remove it now that the baby bluebirds have fledged and return it after the next group of eggs. But the baby TRES are still going into their house. I read that the TRES babies could hang around for a couple of weeks! I’m really not sure what to do about the spooker. I would hate to put the TRES babies at risk.
Susan
PennsylvaniaI’m relieved to hear that your babies are doing okay. Storms are so scary. We typically don’t suffer the full brunt of tropical storms all the way up here in PA, thank goodness. I hope the wrens stay away too. :-)
Susan
PennsylvaniaIf I can figure out how to do it, I will try to post some photographs. I have some cool pictures of the bluebirds and TRES coexisting in their respective homes.
Susan
PennsylvaniaYou are right! Both mama and papa blue ignored the TRES and worked diligently on a new nest all day today. Very exciting!
Susan
PennsylvaniaHi Connie: I also reside in Pennsylvania (south central — close to Harrisburg). I have ordered meal worms from Uncle Jim’s Worm Farm, and have been very pleased with the quality. The prices are good too! I am sorry to hear about your bluebird babies. At least you have babies left who will be peeking out of the hole in no time. :-D
Susan
PennsylvaniaOkay, it is official. All of the bluebirds are off and running. I cleaned out the box this afternoon. I couldn’t believe how many cherry seeds there were in that nest! (but otherwise very clean). The male bluebird has been staying close by. I think he is feeling threatened by the TRES. I am leaving the sparrow spooker on the house a little longer because it is also protecting the TRES babies. I believe they should be flying the coop very soon as well.
Susan
PennsylvaniaIt’s definitely beyond day 17. The papa blue has come back and looked in the house again, and mama is close by. Should I risk peeking in to see if there is a runt, or just let it be? The box was actually purchased for TRES because they were competing with my bluebirds for the bluebird house. Anyway, the box is larger and deeper than a typical bluebird house and it has a hinged roof.
Susan
PennsylvaniaOkay, I have a totally new development. I came in the house for a drink, and when I looked out the window, I saw 3 TRES hovering in front of the bluebird house. One even landed at the hole and stuck his body half way in. Suddenly, the male bluebird chased him off and he landed and looked in the hole. Then he quickly left. I took a mechanic’s mirror and a flashlight in hopes of getting a peek inside the bluebird house. It is just too bright outside. I am able to slide the mirror into the house without lifting the lid by going through the air vents, but I just can’t get enough light from the flashlight to see anything. It didn’t help that 6 TRES started chattering and dive-bombing me. When I decided to give up, I looked up and saw mama blue on my house spouting and pap blue on a nearby pine tree. I’m not sure what’s going on.
Susan
PennsylvaniaI think you’re right, Scot. I have been out working in the yard all day, and it’s like a ghost town around that bluebird house.
Susan
PennsylvaniaThat makes sense. I definitely limit feeding during nesting season also due to predator concerns. I had to offer meal worms last summer because my mommy blue needed help when the papa died suddenly. Other than helping out a widow/widower bluebird, I let them find their own food for the babies. So far, so good. :-) Last winter, my bluebirds stuck around and ate dried meal worms and fruit.
Susan
PennsylvaniaThank you, Randy. I’m sure they will be fine. I saw papa at the box at about 6 a.m. I had to drive my son to work and walk my dogs, and now I don’t see any activity at the birdhouse. They may have gone. I’m not even seeing peeking. I put my ear to the house, but I don’t hear anything. Of course, I won’t risk looking in (but I would love to). The TRES babies in the house that is mounted on the same pole are still talking up a storm, so it’s hard to hear if there are any bluebirds still in there.
Susan
PennsylvaniaWe had severe thunderstorms (even a tornado warning) from 1-3 p.m. today. The rain stopped around 4 o’clock, and I kept seeing that dear baby bluebird’s head peeking out of the hole, but no parents were in sight all day! Finally around 5:30, I saw the papa blue go into the house. He was in there for a few seconds and left. I had to leave for a while, so I am not sure if the parents came back at all. I know this is supposed to be part of the process, but it makes me nervous. How long can these babies go without food?
Susan
Pennsylvania
