Lisa and Cathy, Thanks for your encouragement. This year, the nest box is where I don't have but a few steps to run down should I have to :) Plus, I've had my knee replaced since last summer so I'm doing steps MUCH better. But the bottom line is THERE WILL BE NO HOUSE WRENS! I put a sign up where they can see it so I expect it'll work...I WISH! So far so good. I have two babies who are growing fast. And they are tough kids so there's nothing could stop them!! Bluebird blessings, Linda...

First putting up a spooker and a baffle would not scare away the Bluebirds, good to hear she had those on the box. Secondly what date did she first see the one baby hatched and what date did she look again? Bluebird babies typically fledge 16-19 days after hatching. It is important to keep track of dates to prevent opening the box after the nestlings are 13 days old to prevent premature fledging. You should never open the box after day 13, just observe from afar to know when they are fledging. Unless she knows how long inbetween her first check and second check I can't really tell you what to do with the nest/eggs that are left. If the adults are still there, I would just keep checking the box to see if anything happens like the eggs hatching or a new nest being built on top of the old nest. "If" one baby hatched and fledged the female blue would no longer incubate the remaining eggs. If she wanted to start a second nesting she would build a nest over the top of the old one. So it is confusing why they are still there. It is possible that something happened to the one that hatched and the other eggs are still be incubated. Important things to remember and keep track of when monitoring Bluebirds.... * Incubation starts the day the last egg is laid * Hatching typically takes place on days 12-14 however can be longer at times due to delayed start of incubation during cold spells. * Nestlings usually fledge somewhere between day 16 and day 19. * Never open a nestbox up after day 13 (from hatching) due to possible premature fledging which can put the babies in danger as they cannot fly well if their feathers aren't long enough * Once you know the babies have fledged...take out the nest and clean the box so it will be ready for the next nesting. In Wisconsin Bluebirds typically have two nestings per summer. Good luck! Donna

Kathy...I am so very sorry this little one didn't make it. We all were hoping for a better ending to this situation. I know nothing of hole reducers, so I can't speak to that...anyway, you have always been so compassionate and understanding with many others who might question their actions, so let me be the first to offer the same. With your experience and knowledge, I'd like to believe the hole reducer had nothing to do with her death. Think of all the many, many little blues who have made it because of you! Your hard work, experience and knowledge, along with other bb experts, have made that possible! Hope Mom, Dad and her sibling stay around for you to enjoy! Donna

And now I interrupt the "end of the season" blues... ... to report about 20 Purple Martins are over my front yard and gourd rack right now. They are zooming around, soaring, circling, calling and chattering, and all-in-all being absolutely delightful. Even without grabbing the binoculars I could make out a few newly-fledged PMs bumbling along. I don't think these are "my" birds. They've been overhead for about an hour. Then they began dive-bombing and zooming by the gourds as fast as they could. After 15 minutes of that, two got brave enough to land and look inside a few of the gourds. Now there is a new fledge perched on the top pulley, as high up as he can get. He's chattering and bobbing, puffing up and looking all around in a very proprietorial way. Fledges all look the same, but I'm certain this is male. He's going to be a real (but delightful) pest next season as a SY, and an awesome beauty the next. Could he be the one to help produce my first 8-egg nest? It's August 13, three days past their latest departure date ever, and they are still being very good medicine.