They ARE worth it Donna! But I was so close! Loosing what I've lost this season makes me realize just how fortunate I WAS in previous seasons! About it being the same HOSP...Donna, my boxes are paired somewhere between 50-150 yards apart, and I've had HOSP show interest at more than one box at more than one pair. I wouldn't at all be surprised if it was the same HOSP. The thing that is bugging ME is that the HOSP that got past my Spooker isn't building a nest..just leaving droppings in my boxes and isn't around 95% of the time, making me worried I won't catch him soon enough. That is weird that they would only attack some and leave the others. I've had Wrens peck at 8 day old bluebird babies! Some wouldn't believe it..but seeing the bird perched atop the box soon after was all the proof I needed! Luckily all fledged. I saw the pictures over at the bluebirdnut forums. Poor things! I also have less worry for the TRES. I get MOBS of them some times! (earlier in the season mainly) I do think there may be less blues, but their territory is so much LARGER than TRES so it ends with less bluebirds. When I lost my first male Blue this year, suddenly 3-5 bluebirds started showing up! I rarely saw more than 2 before this. There are more out there...but they're strongly territorial, and despite what seems like a football field of distance between my boxes, I only get 1 pair. They (the bluebirds) have started a nest! But I've seen the male chase a Male HOSP all over the place, who has been chirping behind the boxes all day! He almost landed on the adjacent box, was fluttering near it, before the male BB picked it up instantly and chased it. I now have EIGHT HOSP fledglings in the DRST! HOW MANY ARE THERE?????? I've been catching 1-2 per day for the past 3+ days at least! I haven't caught any parents. Take that neighbor lady! lol. ~Tim~

I don't have this baby - somebody else found it. She say she can't locate its parents. I hope she will take it to rehabber, but I can't provide correct link to this person. I don't even know what state she is in. She works so the baby stays in a car on a parking lot - not very good.

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!

SW= Stanley Works. The symbol goes by "sweet heart". Was used on hardware and tools. Those hinges are plated, so polish them lightly. You could send everything out to be re-plated, but the cost is a factor, and from the few times I've had the replating done, the bright (garish) brass doesn't look appropriate next to old woodwork that still bears the marks of character it took so long to gain. Check everything with a magnet to verify that it's plated steel; if by chance it's brass/bronze, polish away! Fine steel wool and windex with ammonia gets off the tarnish pretty well, and a fine. soft wire wheel brush with a light touch gives a brushed brass effect. A hard felt polishing wheel and jeweler's rouge gives a final mirror finish. To give a satin brass effect, very lightly steel wool after the rouge wheel. That satin effect looks well in an old house IMO. Casey This post was edited by sombreuil_mongrel on Tue, Jun 24, 14 at 8:34