Noeyw - Glad to hear from you. I know what it's like to be at work and sneak peeks at the daylily forum. Post when you can. Chris - I still have Asian Fairy Bluebird in a pot, and that may be part of the problem. However, I have another Lambertson, Blue Eyes Glance, that has 8 fans and no scapes this year. Last year it had 6 mature fans and only two of them scaped. I've had that one five years and it's only bloomed one season. Some Lambertsons don't thrive in freeze and thaw winter climates like we have here. AFB may be one of them. Certulean Warbler also has 6 mature fans and no scapes this time. That's a real disappointment since it did so well last year. Debra

Hi Sarah I have managed a major trail here in RI for over 20 years. I have had box's placed like yours close to the edge of the woods and the bluebirds have avoided them for years. As soon as the box was moved to a more open area in the yard i got bluebirds. Never place more than 1 box if you do than the other box is used to trap sparrows. If you with three box's allow tree swallows and bluebirds to nest side by side they will both fight off any sparrows if house wrens use that box they will return and if you have bluebirds in that box they will toss the chicks out. Dont allow wrens to use that box. And move into the green grass area in the wide open. ---Ray

i was reading this thread with interest. i have a situation where it appears i have 8 bluebirds who have hatched in one nest (thursday may 2, they were born). it may be 9, it's hard to tell. while monitoring the nest in late april i noticed what appeared to be eggs missing from the 3 that had been laid earlier in that week. the reality was that the eggs had been pushed down deeper into the nest and covered with pine straw. the mother kept coming back (may have been another species coming in and covering the egg with straw? i have seen no house sparrows here at all) and eventually she started laying again. turns out, there were 10 eggs total in this nest when she was done! i guess five from the first attempt and 5 after that. bottom line, 8 babies are in there now. i'm putting out meal worms twice a day and making sure there's lots of water nearby in the bird bath, and plenty of shelled sunflower seeds for the parents nearby in that feeder. anyone ever seen or heard of a situation like this?

Mom has not abandon it if it is a healthy bird. It is not unusual for a baby to need and extra day. You can read up on Blues at www.sialis.org Have you peeked in the box to be sure it's not stuck in something? Call a rehabber first thing and get instructions on what to do if a parent does not return tomorrow. I have one that fledged today, 3 are still in the box. Mom has not been back this evening but I know she will be in the AM. I am one that will do everything I can even if it's stretching the law a bit when it comes to saving babies. I have been know to bring them in (in the nest) and feed them when I knew they were starving (done with a rehabbers instructions). I am not suggesting you do this , just letting you know there are things you can do other than just let it die. HOWEVER I bet Mom is there bright and early! Let us know!