OMG, I have the same thing going on. Nest with 4 eggs, and female gone. The male kept going in there and tried to get a new female to go in but she wouldn't. they looked in a different box, several times and I thought they'd start to build. But then nothing for several days. This morning there was a quick visit to the empty house by the male, but that's it. The nest with the 4 eggs has been unattended for way too long so I know I have to empty it, I just dread it. I wondered if the new female would build a nest over the old one, but as she wouldn't even go in I guess that won't happen. I do wish you better luck than mine had. Mine had already started incubating for a pretty long time so there's no chance for them but maybe yours does. I don't really know how long they are viable, maybe someone who knows these things can tell us?

Thanks everyone, We are so delighted to see so many fledglings up close everyday now. Here are just few more taken in recent days. This little one sits atop the nestbox (which contains 5 more eggs in Missy's 3rd nest), and calls to Mom who's perched on the spooker: This one is on the deck rail waiting for a spot to open up at the mealworm bowl: And for those of you who liked the "mad bluebird" shot, here's another wet fledgling up close: We're about 5 days away from the hatching of clutch #3, but we're still seeing all 8 of the fledges from the first two nests. oh joy, Kenn :)

Oh Kenn.they are so very very beautiful. My heart sang and my face smiled as I took them in with my eyes. My favorite birds. My current pair are on nest #3, and they are feeding hatchlings. Interestingly, they chose a different house for each nesting, even though I remove old nests as soon as babies fledge. I guess they wanted to try them all out and find out what they liked best. They have just now been at my window feeder taking sunflower chips as I look at your post. :o)

Wow, isn't he a beauty!! Awesome shots Kenn!! That second one is amazing, glad you were there and ready when he stretched his wings!! Donna