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When will they lay eggs?

14 years ago

This is my first nest box and as soon as I put it up I had bluebird interest. I'm in very NE North Carolina, considered the inner banks. I've seen pairs checking out the box, and then fight for the box. I have had a pair select the box. They have built their nest. It's been done for about 2 weeks. I keep expecting to see an egg, but so far nothing. I see the male a lot, but the female not so much in recent days. When will they lay eggs? Any insight would be appreciated!!! Thanks :) Christy

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Comments (9)

dzyg
14 years ago
Sometimes it takes a bit before they get down to business. My blue pair here in WI just laid their first egg. Nest was built last week, completed on the weekend and she laid the first yesterday so approx a week for us. Yours could be any day now. Good luck!

Donna
christy2828
Original Author
14 years ago
They got down to business, laid 4 eggs!!! They hatched yesterday!!!! I took a pic, and later read on Sialis not to do that. I won't again, but here is the one I did get :)

Christy
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dzyg
14 years ago
I have taken pics before and so do others. As long as you do it as quickly as possible and not in really windy or cold or rainy weather it is fine. Once the hatchlings are 13 days old though you don't want to open the box to prevent premature fledgling. Up until that point though it is fine to check on them. Glad they finally got down to business for you!

Donna
christy2828
Original Author
14 years ago
Okay, thanks!!! Today is not the day to look, nasty out here!! I've seen the parents feeding them, so I'm guessing all is well :) Christy
christy2828
Original Author
14 years ago
The baby blue's left yesterday!!! I missed it, was gone all day. Yay, hopefully I'll see them again soon :) Christy
kendra2003
14 years ago
I usually miss it too. In all these years, I've only seen them fledge once. So glad to hear they all made it though. Mine usually start bringing their young to the feeder about a week and a half to two weeks after fledging. Hopefully you'll see the young ones back with their parents soon. Congratulations on a successful nesting.
christy2828
Original Author
14 years ago
Thank you :) I don't have a feeder out, but I occasionally sprinkled dried meal worms in a hanging basket nearby. I bought the dried mealworms and a feeder before I knew anything about bluebirds. I thought they'd just find the feeder because I have so many birds around. Nope!! Then I read they have to be trained to eat the dried ones so I just didn't put them out. When I got the nest box up, I noticed they perched on the hanging basket a lot and though I'd stick some in the basket. To my surprise, they ate them!!! I don't want to feed them regularly, so I've only put the mealworms out a few times. I'll probably finish this container and be done with it. I have seen a daddy blue around today, don't know if he's mine or not! I've gotten lucky with location, I had five pairs checking out my nest box within day of the box going up :) Thought it was funny they all came looking at it together. There are an abundance of bugs around here, and I have still not seen one single HOSP since I moved in July 10th of last year. I have an eye for them, I wouldn't have missed one. I do have starling :(. I stopped feeding birdseed to the birds when the bluebirds starting nesting, wanted to give them some peace. Can't wait for the second brood!!! Christy :)
grammahony
14 years ago
I always use live mealworms. Their movement is seen by and attracts them to the feeder. I'll whistle the same whistle (like yoooo hooo) to let them know I've just put some in there. And they'll come flying in for a meal.
Leslie
grammahony
14 years ago
I should add, they'll come eat after I walk away a little bit. Not while I'm putting them out.

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