Sorry to hear the bad news,I also lost at least 3 in one box,and all 5 in another box,and lost 6 chickadee nestlings, all were due to fledge. about 1-1/2 weeks ago,we also had cooler temps.and lots of rain that week.I am thinking it was in fact the weather also.You did everything right,all we can do is try.You have cleaned the box,they should renest within a week or so.If you don't have other boxes available,now might be a good time to add one.I like to have more then one box to choose from,and it doubles your fun and stress LOL! Good luck Matt

I had nearly the exact thing happen this year (2025). This box had crisis last year when I found the nestlings wet, their nest soaked and berry seeds abundant. What I was told was that the parents were feeding them non-native berries because there weren't enough insects! I took the nestlings out, cleaned the box, replaced with a dry nest and supplemented with mealworms. Two males and a female ran nearly 100 mealworms into that nestbox within the next 20 minutes! It was a rescue mission. The nestlings all survived and fledged three days later. But this year, that nestbox wasn't touched until way late in the season. I was glad to see they were back, better late than never. But maybe not. Four eggs, four nestlings, all looked well. I checked them a day ago, providing rehydrated mealworms. I noticed some dog doo near where I put the mealworms. I wonder if that could affect the nestlings by contamination. I took the bos down and it felt light. I wondered if they had fledged but it was too soon. All four melding together and decomposing! This park is chemical-free, the only one in Orange (CA). All the other nestlings in the other five boxes had a good run. This was a special box and had yet another disaster this year! No evidence of foul play, no insects, etc. Another seasoned monitor told me it might be due to the male not returning, maybe killed in a fight, and the female abandons the nest. The nest box is down, washed out and waiting for a thorough cleaning. I hope they return to this box next season. We'll see. Very sad.

WOW, do you have MY bluebirds? LOL! My male will swoop me and clack those wings like crazy and has made head AND shoulder contact a few times. I wear a large hat and sunglasses and just GO FOR IT! I know they can't hurt me (it's really only the male who attacks) and while I don't monitor every day I do when I need to see what's going on like hatching, etc. and then about 3 times a week to make sure all is well inside the box. Sometimes I make my hubby go out with me, I use him as a distraction, and he has ducted and run for his life every time. I remind him it's only a tiny little bird that weighs around 60 grams. My male also swooped my poor dog when she was trying to do her "business" but he thought she was to close to HIS box. She was deaf as a post and couldn't hear him clacking those wings right above her and I'd stand inside and watch out the window and LMAO! If you ever happen too close to a Mockingbird nest, no joke, they really will come after you. I've had them chase me across the street with neighbors standing there watching, just amazed, and me waving my arms to prevent an attack! I was not trying to get close to their nest and didn't know they had three babies in the juniper right behind my mailbox when they first came after me. I kept my distance and our mail carrier, a very nice woman, brought the mail to the door till they fledged. She didn't want to be attacked either! LOL!

Hi Michelle, Congrats on the baby blues fledging!!! Those wrens are a pain!!! They have taken over 2 boxes and I just keep pulling twigs. I put out grape jelly 4 the orioles. I get tons of them. This is the first time EVER I have had 3 orioles nesting in my yard. Last year there was 1 nest. They like 2 build in the choke cherry trees. That's where all 3 of them built their nest. Yesterday I could hear the babies cheeping and I kept watching, but the little buggers left when I wasn't watching. They are a joy to be around, and because they built so close to my house, they can hear my voice and they have become quite tame. I mean they will come to the jelly feeder when I'm standing on the porch. I can't wait for them to bring the babies back. If u have orioles around try grape jelly....they LOVE it!! Best of luck!! Karen