cbyrne, Do you monitor the nestbox regularly? Are there a lot of HOSP still around? They are not nesting, are they? I hope not. After such a tragedy, it is likely that the bluebird's mate will go elsewhere. Keep monitoring, and keep your nestbox clean and ready. It is getting late in the season for your area, but not impossible that another nest could be started by a new pair. If not, spend your time learning all you can to keep them safe for next year. Visit the link below to learn all you can. Those youngsters you saw earlier in the year will need nestboxes next year. Meanwhile, keep visiting the Bluebird Forum, ask any questions you might have, and enjoy the pics that are posted. Before you know it, we will all be having empty nest syndrome as the bluebird nesting season ends. BlueBars Here is a link that might be useful: http://www.sialis.org/index.html

Yes actually I do have an update. Although very much late! Mom helped Pop with taking care of his brood and they never made another attempt. (I would have enjoyed it, but I had my doubts) I was out today and I heard that typical single note bluebird call! They're out there some where! lol I heard a HOSP coming from the direction of a pair of nestboxes...thought I had to bring the Van Ert out...in September! It was actually farther off. In previous years I've had flocks of blues in the fall check out my boxes so now I'll have to be on the lookout!

Sorry about your birds. Do you have a hole in your overhang that makes a cavity for the Blues? If so I would plug the hole so they cannot nest there as it isn't a safe spot to nest. As far as the one left, the male will probably leave to find a new girl. They don't usually renest where there is a failed nesting however if you put up a properly mounted nestbox (conduit with a predator baffle) he may bring his new girl there to nest. Good luck. Donna

I recommend cleaning out the box. It's normal for the male to keep coming back to the house after the nest has been abandoned by the female. The female (or any other female) will not reuse the nest. They will often start over once the nest is cleaned out (although not always right away). Even during the winter, bluebirds will use an empty bluebird house for shelter. So after the summer season, I always make sure my bluebird boxes are cleaned out. Typically, they will not use a box if there is still an old nest in it I have attached one of my favorite winter bluebird pictures to this post. I also just added a video of a bluebird waiting out a snowstorm in my backyard on my web page: BluebirdsPlus