Hi Liljanjan, I have no experience with Mountain Bluebirds, but that is a very interesting story. I think a crow could make a meal out of bluebird babies but not sure about fledglings. So you are saying by hanging up a crow near the box that deterred them? I would like to invite you to share your story and join the bluebird nut cafe and we will provide you with all you need to know about these birds. It is way more active and you will get fast answers to your questions. Hope to see you there. -Tyler http://bluebirdnutcafe.yuku.com/

Gorgeous photos. The male tree swallow is iridescent in your pics! I do question your final id though, are you really sure that's a rabbit? (big grin)

Debbie, my first year with Blues I fed mealworms and they did take mealworms to the babies constantly. Last year I fed waxworms and mealworms and the Blues were picky, would eat the waxworms and mostly leave the mealworms alone. This year I started with mealworms/waxworms and crickets. when the babies fledged this year the parents would eat the mealworms themselves and sometimes a waxworm or two but mostly take the waxworms and crickets to the babies. I think they know they need better food for the babies than the mealworms. They still did feed some of the mealworms to the babies though too, I suppose it all depends on how many bugs/worms you have around. Now that the babies here are older, 3 weeks since fledging tomorrow, the parents are eating more of the waxworms and crickets themselves but still feeding them to the babies too, also they all eat the mealworms. I had thought we lost one of our babies, there were four but once they started showing up in the backyard I always only saw three. Now that they are actually coming to the feeder with the mom and dad I am relieved to say all four are still there. Hope you get to see yours too! Do you hear any of the baby blues calling at all? Donna

Thanks Lisa, I like the thought of the little birds hanging out with their cousins from the barn nest who are their seniors by approx. a week. I imagine the single parent bird did have his wings full trying to round up his whole brood each night, and probably the first two nights were enough to ensure their safety. He or she is probably in need of a rest at this point. I hope the severe rainstorms did not endanger the swallows. If by "baby" you mean my cat, I did as always and kept her in during the hazardous fledging period, but she's in and out now. She's not having much luck hunting though; only a few rodents turning up on the porch. I think the rain this past week has halted/slowed the activities of all life forms.