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I just watched mine fledge!!!!

10 years ago

I just got home and went outside to check on them. The first one hatched 19 days ago, so I knew it was time soon. I looked over and saw a head peeking out, and it flew right out!!! It landed on the steps, took a look around and then flew off :) Two minutes later another one flew out!! I'm typing this now and I just saw a third fly out!!! I'm not sure if number 4 left already or is still in the box, but I'm keeping my eye out!!! So cool, I only have about an hour before I have to go back out again, and I'm so thrilled I got to see it :)

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Comments (7)

Sara_in_philly
10 years ago
Wow, that was quick! I remember it took a couple of hour for mine to fly out last year.
mzstitch
10 years ago
I'm so jealous Christy. Mine fledged yesterday, and I didn't get to see it, and I miss them like crazy already!
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Thanks Kenn, there were four. I cleaned out the nestbox yesterday and took down the spooker. That was the cleanest nest I have ever removed from a birdhouse! There was only one spot of poop in the house! I found about 10 live mealworms too and two of them grew to be very large, wonder if they were feeding on the blowworm larva, there were a few of them in the bottom too, not many though. I actually had a feeling they might leave early just cause they were getting fed however I did have a nestbox at the park this year that fledged on day 16 also. Normally around here it is day 19. I am really wondering if there is time for another nesting or not, I am thinking not but you never know. A pair at the park is sitting on eggs right now on their second nesting but I don't know if there is enough time for this pair in our yard or not. My first year of bluebirding I did have a nest that fledged in August but none last year. This year at the park the pair is about 10 days behind last years schedule. The second pair at the park never started a new nest yet. I see them often with the babies, not sure if they found a natural cavity or not. It has been three weeks since they fledged. Donna
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It's easy to see why these birds trust us like they do! Great work! Wow now there's three of us who have had fledgers in the last day! But I'm probably the only one with success on the 2nd attempt instead of first. I saw two on a branch today and Mr single dad fed one in plain sight. (Actually,high in a tree)
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Howdy! Many Bluebirders don't get to see the babies go for a few years. I am sure you will get to join the "I saw them fledge" club soon! Do you have a somewhat wooded area near? You say you thought they would go to your "tree" meaning you only have one? The parents will have guided them to the safest nearby spot with lots of tree cover. It must not be to far off since you have seen them on the fence. Keep the meal worms out and they will bring the babies down in a week or two.
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do they mostly come back after fledging?
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Comments (3)
Gibby, mine really never leave. I mean, when they fledge they do hide in the tall trees about 500 feet from the house, but the adults still come for meal worms and carry them to the trees. I watch to see where they go and usually catch a glimpse of one or more of the fledglings as they feed them. Mine fledged on August 14 and just yesterday two of them for the first time followed the parents to the deck where I have the meal worm feeder. Tonight three of them were there and one of the fledges managed to get into the feeder cage. Very cute. Mine are so used to my routine that when they see me come out on the deck they come flying in, looking for a handout. Here in Virginia they stay the year round but as cold weather approaches and insects become scarce, they will look for me even more. I would put a few worms out and watch to see who gets them. If you have been feeding them in the past, they will probably drop by from time to time to check. If there's nothing there, you may not see them. Good luck. Dave
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christy2828
Original Author
10 years ago
Number 4 must've already left, because it is empty!!! Mom and Dad were going nuts, there was a mockingbird aggravating them while the last one was getting ready to go, but everyone is gone now :)
bluebirdbabe
10 years ago
congrats!!! you are lucky you got to see them fledge :)
wwwonderwhiskers
10 years ago
Very exciting - so glad you got to see it today! Our first nest last year, we got to see them fledge then. Ours fledged today around noon, but I was on a web-conference, and missed it. We DID however, witness the ensuing chaos in the backyard with two adults trying to track / wrangle five directionless young around in the woods.
We'll put mealworms out again this evening. Last year it was a few days, but they eventually all learned to eat from the lucite "worm hut" feeder.

Oh - I was gonna post, but will just piggyback here..... after they fledged, we checked the nest to find a HUGE ant infestation under the nesting cup! Today is about day 17 or 18 for them, so we have not taken any nest pics since day 13. But yikes - guess we'll have to spray the pole from now on, in hopes to prevent!

Best, Les
sagrinin
10 years ago
Mine fledged early yesterday. Didn't get to see them. Maybe next time.

As far as the ants, what I do is grease the metal pole and make sure the top of the pole is covered so the ants can't come up thru the inside of it. I also used one of those ant stakes that go into the ground around it. Those two things seemed to work.
christy2828
Original Author
10 years ago
I just put out the trash before a big thunderstorm hit, and saw a baby blue on the ground hiding behind the trash cans. I didn't see the parents anywhere. I went inside and got some meal worms and then an empty soda box and went out there to set that stuff out so it would have a place to hide when the storm hit. It was no longer there, and I looked all over the front and back yard. I left the box just in case it came back. Hopefully the parents guided him to safety!!!

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