Lisa: Thanks for your post. I did not see the babies last week, husband did. I have checked the nest- it is empty. I have heard some twitter out in the forest that adjoins our grounds- I'd like to think it might be the fledglings, but that may be wishful thinking. Things have been hectic lately so I have not opened the box as faithfully as in past years. There are no broken shells or feathers in box or on ground underneath. The nest was completely clean. We've never had racoons; I have heard owls very far off, but they have never appeared on the property. This box is close to our screen porch and under my office window, so I can usually monitor it by sight most of the time. This box has been in use since 2003; it's had at least one clutch per year. There's another box closer to the woods, and I've seen Mom and Dad Bluebird checking it out in the last two days. I've already cleaned out the box in question, and am going to install a baffle. It's silly to think that standing sentinel during the day will keep the nest box safe at night. Thanks again for your help.

Yes we do!!! 1 baby SCARED me. It was about to leave the nest and changed his mind. He couldn't get back in the box and not enough room to fly, so he fell to the ground. I went out there to pick him up and mom dive bombed and snapped at me like crazy. Just as I was about to pick it up it flew....so I was really relieved. I will check the box tomorrow to see if there is an egg left in there or I missed the 6th baby leaving. Karen

WHA HOO! that's so awesome Lisa! congradualations on a successful nesting! Glad hubby didn't have to suffer either! Which ever day actually was his birthday! I'm waiting to see if my girl will take to the wren guard. It's the training one without sides.. I've seen her over there but havn't seen her in the box, but the guard hides that. The male was there at the hole, so that's good. I'll check later today for another egg, keep fingers crossed!

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