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BB Fledglings and Tres

15 years ago

And finally a couple of tres.

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Comments (13)

bbcathy
15 years ago
What beautiful sights to see!!!!!!!!!!! Thanks for more great photos
Cathy
erictammy
15 years ago
Loove your photos, Dave. I like them all but the first two are my favorite.
Tammy
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tres, bb and wren
Q
Comments (4)
Hi Sara, You are definitely in a sticky situation. I would be hesitant to remove the wren sticks or leave the box open unless you installed a wren guard. More information can be found at the link below. Can you put up a third box for the blues? If not I would install the wren guard on the TRES box and leave the wren box open and see what happens. Are the boxes located near lots of trees? Maybe you could move it out in the open more away from trees. I believe a wren was the culprit for removing nearly all the eggs from my chickadee box for no known reason at all. The third TRES is probably another male searching for a cavity to nest in. I have witnessed multiple TRES come to a box to help other TRES when they are in distress like a HOSP fighting with them. They gang up on enemies sometimes which is cool. Please read below on the wren guard. I just found that forum recently. Do this first and then check back here for others advice. Good luck! http://bluebirdnutcafe.yuku.com/topic/5332/How-to-make-a-Wren-Guard
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tres, bb, and hosp nesting
Q
Comments (3)
Unfortunately I think it may already be too late for the TRES. They had their eggs taken out by most likely a HOWR or HOSP, although I did see the Blues on top of the house before I went out and found that the TRES eggs were gone; is it possible the Blues took out the TRES eggs? I am still trying as hard as possible to kill those Sparrows. Let me tell you, they have become so smart and sneaky! When I see them go into the house, I run out and cover it with a pillow case and stand out there for about 10 minutes shaking the box to get them to come out. I eventually give up, but I never even see them come out of the house anyways. I can't tell when they're in the house or out, and when I see them on the ground and get my pellet gun, they're gone in a flash. And I went out to get their eggs, but holy heck, they have the most ugly and messy nest I have ever seen from a HOSP. It doesn't even look like a nest, just a box crammed with junk. I don't even know if I can find the eggs in there. I will keep trying, and I won't give up till I succeed. Thanks for your help.
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Egg # 3...5 Fledglings from first brood on fence today!
Q
Comments (1)
That is so cool you got to see the fledges and all five of them too! I am only seeing four of the six from the first nesting, so I am guessing two didn't make it. Donna
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When do the colors show on the fledglings?
Q
Comments (15)
It would surprise me if yours are bluebirds and they all fledged without the parents being there. Bluebirds are very much into fledging. Mine are about to go today and the parents obviously know it. They have been to the nestbox every 5 minutes or so and both of them are perched in a tree where they have an unrestricted view. They buzz any bird or squirrel that comes within 25 feet of the nestbox. This is day 17 for two of them and day 16 for the other three. I have seen some peeking so I expect the two older ones are ready to get out of that hot, crowded box. I wonder if some or all of the 16 day olds will go too, or if they will sit it out overnight and go in the morning. I am ready, either way. You're welcome on the pictures. I actually can document every day of the metamorphosis, except for the seven days or so right after they fledge, (and there is no perceivable color change during that time period anyway). And of course it's still approximate from a scientific point of view, since the birds do develop at different rates and my pictures are of juveniles from several different clutches. It's virtually impossible to track a single fledge all the way if it is flying free. Papa usually runs the juveniles off before the next batch fledges but fortunately, on several occasions (usually the last nesting of the year)he hasn't. Dave
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mulchmamma
15 years ago
Wow, easy to see how birding and photography go so well together.

With that bunch of adolescents, you must order a lot of mealworms!
blumz
15 years ago
Most magnificent pics I've ever seen of fledglings! Thanks for sharing!
erictammy
15 years ago
Mulchmamma..you should ask him how many mealworms. He gets a few more than I do. :)
renee_2006
15 years ago
Beautiful pics of beautiful birds.
dave_in_va
Original Author
15 years ago
At the risk of turning this thread into a comercial for Cher's Bluebird Nut feeder, here are a couple more shots of the family, taken on the feeder just a few minutes ago. As you can see, the rain is finally gone and the sun is bright, so the pictures are a bit more crisp than before.

And a couple of Mama and Papa, followed by one of Mama with two of the juveniles.
mulchmamma
15 years ago
OK, OK, I give....how many mealworms DO you go through, in say one week???

Am rethinkin about the mealworm feeder issue because it looks like SO much fun.

Linda
dave_in_va
Original Author
15 years ago
I get 10,000 every two weeks, year 'round. The BBs eat plenty but I also feed Carolina wrens, song sparrows, titmice, chickadees, downy woodpeckers, nuthatches and when I am not looking, ugggh, HOSPs. However, I try to deny them when I can, but it is a full time job.

I have to have the cage feeders to keep the mockingbirds, starlings and robins from hogging all the worms.
erictammy
15 years ago
I love those with the babies on top of the feeder. I didn't buy Cher's feeder but wish I had. I bought one
that has wood on the ends so I can't see the bluebirds from every direction, the hinged top is getting rusty and it's skinny enough so the bigger birds can reach in and grab a few worms every once in awhile. When it isn't usable anymore I'm going to buy the one you have Dave.
Tammy
erictammy
15 years ago
Dave, I know another forum that would love to see those photos. :)
Tammy
trailerparkbirds
15 years ago
Great pictures Dave, I was looking at your (My Page),Won't mind getting some of your camera equipment, But in the mean while I'll just have to settle with my Cannon 300D, cheap telephoto lens and a tripod most of the time.
Hopefully tomorrow I'll get my first batch of meal worms, through the mail.
Sincerely,
Keith
dzyg
15 years ago
Awesome shots Dave!! I love looking at all your pics.

Donna

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