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Damp nest - Just eggs

18 years ago

Hey everyone - We've had some humdinger thunderstorms here over the past few days and more forcasted for today and tomorrow. I checked my Bluebird nest and it feels damp - not wet, but definitely not dry either. Mama is still incubating her five eggs - due to hatch Sunday/Monday. Do I need to do a change or just keep checking to see if it dries out by the weekend? I know wet nest is more dangerous to actual babies than eggs, but I'd love your thoughts. Thanks!

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Comments (4)

blue_belle
18 years ago
I would change it. If you don't have a spare nest, you can fashion one quite well in a plastic bowl or cardboard box. I would use a container that is about the same size as the box floor and using the same kind of nest materials. Use a plastic teaspoon or your gloved hand to transfer the eggs. It's much easier to do now than when there are chicks.
janie_may
18 years ago
I would change it out, too. I do know of one person, several years ago, who removed the nest and dried it with a blow dryer! She carefully removed the eggs and then quickly dried the nest before putting the eggs back in. In her case the nest got wet when a sprinkler went off in her backyard. I would do as "blue belle" suggested and make another nest.

When I have a blowing rain here I cover the ventilation holes with duct tape and then remove the tape as soon as the weather clears.
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bluebars
18 years ago
Hmmm, I don't think I would, unless it is really soaking. Dampness in the nest would not worry me unless the weather is cold, like in early spring. JMHO.
BlueBars
bbcathy
18 years ago
Milli I had 3 like that on my trail and I just changed the bottom part of the nest and left the top intact. I just lifted it up a little (still in the box) while supporting it with my other hand and carefully pulled out some from the bottom and put in some dry. I had 2 with nestlings that I changed completely. All are doing fine now.
Cathy

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