I would not have removed the titmouse eggs. I would think since there were 4 titmouse eggs in the nest of only 1 bb egg the bbs had abandon that nest. Since you removed the titmouse's eggs they too will now abandoned it. I would have put a hole reducer on it and enjoyed the titmouse nesting. My understanding is that they don't often nest in nestboxes.

Renee

OMG!

Probably better to have asked BEFORE you did what you did! There are other species of birds other than bluebirds!

It is against the law to disturb the nest/eggs/ chicks of native birds even if they are not bluebirds!

That's FOUR LESS potential Titmice in the world! :*(

Leslie-ann,
Even though you did not do the right thing this time, we all have made mistakes with our birds while meaning well. Next time you will know what to do. Protect all our native birds and you will have done the right thing.

Linda C

I would not have removed the eggs,I wish you would have came here first.I would love to have seen if the Bluebird egg would have hatched along with the Titmouse eggs,If possible.Everyone makes mistakes,(heck,look at all the people who put up boxes and let HOSP nest in them!)Just be sure to ask first ,if you don't know.

Leslie, what did you do with the eggs? Did you just remove them today? Can you put them back right away? I would love to have a TUTI nest with me. Sorry you got yelled at in your first post, (don't take it personally, she's mean to everybody).. All of us goof up when we are new. Read up on cavity nesting birds at www.sialis.org There is a lot to learn, and we are always here to help.

Lesley,

For future reference, titmice are GREAT 'renters.' They are terrific parents, very attentive. I just spent about a month with a TUTI family. It was really nice.

We all learn as we go. If there's a next time, consider leaving the nests as you find them. Unless you are finding a box full of sticks which is a HOWR dummy nest (remove them).

Blessings Linda...

Leslie If the Titmouse is sitting on the eggs the Bluebird is probably not coming back to this nest for some reason. The Bluebird would have kicked the Titmouse out of her nest if she were around. The Titmouse may have raised all the chicks successfully IF that Bluebird egg was still viable. It is illegal to remove all eggs or nests except for those of house sparrows and starlings. Someone is always here to answer questions so please don't hesitate to ask them.
Cathy

leslie-ann,
Without repeating what everyone else said, here is a great web site for reference on all the cavity nesters, and then some. Mark it as a favorite.
Sometimes it is difficult to know what to do, and even when you have been hosting cavity nesters for a long time, the birds always seem to surprise us with something we have not encountered before.
Perhaps you could offer additional nestboxes for other cavity nesters, as it seems they like your place.
There is also an interesting page on Bet's web site about nestbox competitions, "Who Trumps Who" that explains situations such as yours. The titmouse may have claimed the nestbox after it was abandoned by the bluebirds. But it could be worse if there were house sparrows or starlings; however, those 2 are non-native invasive species not protected by law.
Well, we've given you a lot to think about, and some homework. Please let us know what happens next...
BlueBars

Here is a link that might be useful: http://www.sialis.org/index.html

I feel TERRIBLE. I acted on impulse only thinking of my beloved bluebird family. I'm afraid the eggs are probably not viable now, I'll put them back anyway.
I am a bird lover and normaly wouldn't do such a thing, but I just placed my bluebirds above all other birds.
I'm off to research placing additional houses in my yard.

Hi.

Mistakes do happen. I see so often in these forums that one bird is deemed better or more worthy than another. Sorry I too acted on impulse with my less than sugar coated post.Glad to see that other birds are just as important to you.

Wishing you many nestings and chickies in your garden.

Kindest regards,

C3D :-)

Leslie,
We all live and learn. I used to feed house sparrows and have even tried to raise baby House Sparrows that were abandoned. You should probably watch and wait now and see if parents are going in and out of the nest and after a while you should remove the nesting material and one of those birds will probably renest.

Tammy

And I want to say, I was so glad to see all the positive, gracious comments extended toward Leslie. It was so nice to see (almost) everyone show her understanding. Whether it is misunderstandings about other nesting birds, outdoor cats, house sparrows, etc..a lot of people just don't know the facts until we tell them and if we do it in the right way, they will see the light. :)(hopefully..lol) You guys are so nice!
Tammy

Leslie-ann, I can understand your concern regarding the Bluebirds being gone but I would never have removed the Titmouse eggs, I would have been overly curious though if the baby blue would have hatched with the titmouse. I am praying the eggs that you put back are ok and the mom accepts them again. Have you been watching to see if she is still at the nest? We all make mistakes, Lord knows I did my first year with Blues, that is why we have this great forum to help us out. Best of luck to your nesting!

Donna

Never saw a live TUTI before. 15' from my blues nesting in a PVC box, "something" was nesting in the NABS box. Watched and watched-only saw catbirds that I knew couldn't fit in the box. The eggs were small, like BCCH. (should have watched Bet's hissing video on sialis sooner).

Checked the box one evening and something hissed at me. Not really afraid of snakes, just thought one was in the box eating "my" eggs. The bird just pushed herself against the back of the box and didn't leave no matter what.

Finally binocs in hand, saw her at the feeder-a TUTI female who has 6 hatchlings. They are non agressive, sweet birds that I feel quite honored to host. The bbs and dees love the PVC and the TUTIs seem happy in the NABS, but I'm always relocating and switching out boxes to make everyone happy (except the HOWRs).

Leslie, I'm sorry that happened but as many others have replied, we've all made mistakes. Fortunately I had bluebirds nesting for at least two years before a chickadee showed up and claimed another box. Because of this forum, and the helpful members here, I knew that I could protect the dees FROM the bluebirds by adding a hole reducer (to keep the bluebirds out). I've talked to several people over the years (people I know personally and not from this forum) who have removed chickadee, titmouse and brown headed nuthatch nests because they wanted bluebirds. When I listened to their stories I took a deep breath and then explained how much these other species NEED our help. Bluebirds have been getting our help (YEA!) for the last 40 years and sometimes it's easy to forget or not even think about the other species who also need a safe nesting spot.

I think that when we put up that first bluebird nest box we only have one thought in mind...... getting bluebirds to nest in our box! I waited FIVE YEARS to get my first bluebird couple! LOL! What I've experienced in hosting three nest boxes is that the Dees and the brown headed nuthatches are just as much fun and such nice little birds! I've never been lucky enough to host titmice but maybe one day....

Anyway, I know you are sorry and won't do it again and that really is the point.

Janie

Leslie keep checking to see if the TUTI comes back, I have read it is common for birds to come back and check the box once or twice after losing a clutch unless something scared them away. It can't hurt to leave them a couple days. If nothing happens then clean out the box and hope for a second try. Good luck and let us know what happens.
Just a quick note, my first year I got a Dee nest, I didn't think I wanted one.(at first I though they were HOSPS!)....I didn't see the Dee for 2 days so I revmoved the nest. I dont know why I didnt throw it away, I left it on the ground near the box.....BOY WAS I IGNORANT! I got on this forum and found out I DID want Dees. Amazingly enough 1/2 hour after being on this forum I saw the Dee go back to the box. I stuck the nest back in and she laid 4 more eggs. 6 Dees fledged! I have no clue why something did not get the eggs from the nest that was on the ground for nearly 2 days. This is why I think there MAY be a little hope for your TUTI.

Thanks to everyone for your support and understanding.
I am kicking myself more than anyone else could for what I've done.

I'm watching the house closely and see no activity.
I do see father bluebird and the juvies from the first nesting in the yard, but no mom.

How long should I leave the eggs and nest. I can't imagine those eggs are viable.

Should I remove nest and eggs so some other bird can use it?

I won't do anything until I get some opinions from you all.

Tough call. Although you may be watching the house closely and see no activity, birds can be stealthy. I would place a long piece of grass into the entrance (so that it doesn't blow away) and see if it gets removed. I would wait a week or so, and see if anything changes. Maybe others will have more advice about where to go from here.
BlueBars

I agree with Bluebars. You still have time for blues to nest in it afterwards.

Leslie, sweet girl...don't kick yourself any longer...I ditto the others...we have all made some "birding" mistakes when we don't even realize it's a mistake...

This forum is wonderful, so you came to the right place...good luck and don't ever hesitate to ask questions! Most of us have been where you are!

Donna