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babies in MA

14 years ago

Since when I tell my family members that the baby Blues have hatched, they just sort of nod, I figured I'd post it here where people actually get excited about new baby Blues. I had a very early nesting this year, and all five baby Blues hatched yesterday. This is the earliest I've ever had them nest before. Maybe it will be another three clutch year.

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Comments (6)

dzyg
14 years ago
Congrats Kendra!! My momma is incubating eggs yet right now but still earlier than the norm for us too! Have you had three successful nestings before? We never have here, always just two even when it seems there is enough for another. I am hoping for three also!

Donna
kendra2003
Original Author
14 years ago
Yes Donna, They had three successful clutches the summer before last. She only laid three eggs on the third clutch (unlike the five each on clutch one and two). So one pair successfully launched thirteen baby blues into the world that year. I'm sure there are losses after they fledge. But I have never lost a single baby blue while they're still within my ability to protect them.
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rayinri
14 years ago
Hi Kendra
I know the feeling very few people in these parts of NE care about bluebirds
and Martins. I have nine pair of bluebirds with chicks and another 20 pairs
with eggs, I have done this work since 1990 and have never seen chicks this early in the season scary. Best of luck and my trail is north of Prov in Smithfield.
I manage 51 box's plus Martins six colony's ---Ray
assabetvalley
14 years ago
Rayinri-I agree w/your comment that very few people in these parts care about bluebirds. I have sent many articles to the local publications(Beacon/Action Unlimited) & they are consistently ignored. I have about 35 boxes in 3 areas here in Middlesex county,MA & have tried to get others to build/buy boxes & log onto this site & Sialis. No one's interested. BTW I also sent an article to The Prov.Journal recently, but don't know if they used it or not. Ditto to svrl NE/Midwest papers. papers
kendra2003
Original Author
14 years ago
I don't know how you do it Ray. I do my best to help the native birds, particularly Bluebirds, but I could never manage 51 boxes! I agree with you that not many people care or are willing to put in the time. Thankfully there are those of us that do the best we can. And I do believe we make a difference.
rayinri
14 years ago
I have 30 bluebird box's on a powerline rightaway that runs threw the center
of the state. The birds are safe from everything but snakes. I use mesh sold at
the hardware stores and i trap 90% of my snakes that way. Some get around it
but its rare and some are found alive. On farms i place bluebird traps on barns
that keeps them busy with those box's then when i show up i place van ert traps
in the box and simple way to control sparrows, Most of my Martin colony's
are in the town of Barrington one in Rehoboth MA and one in Smithfield RI
I have my hands full. The local newspaper here did a story on my Martin work last year. And i have never had a newspaper do a story on bluebirds. I have tried. I will be a trail manager till i die. Ray

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