Katie, I replied to your other post but will reply here also.....
I am so sorry about that baby Blue. You would think they would have kept feeding it unless something was wrong with it that you couldn't see but the adults could. I do have some advice though if this ever happens again. I had heard from someone that has been Bluebirding for quite a few years that he thought the adults forgot about two babies that remained in the box when the rest had fledged, so what he did was open the door of the box and propped it open. It worked for him, the adults then started feeding the ones that hadn't fledged yet. Not sure if this would always help but can't hurt. You wouldn't want to do this say at day 16 or earlier but by day 18ish, I would think it would be ok. You would think at day 20 that little one would have been a pretty good flyer! It is important not to check after day 12/13 to prevent premaure fledging but it is also important to keep track of everything. If that baby was at day 20 and the others fledged you could have checked on things cause by that time they should be able to fly well. Normally once they are about 17 days old they should be able to fly ok (not all the time though) You didn't do anything wrong though so don't feel bad that way. It is hard though if you think you could have helped and didn't but it sometimes is worse if you try to help and things go wrong cause then it does seem like your fault. kwim?

Donna

Thanks, Donna. I have gone over everything in my mind and I know I would have felt worse if I had cleaned out the box and replaced him and then he left and couldn't fly and couldn't make it that way. I have no idea why the nest got so wet because it didn't seem our rain was not that bad on Sunday. We had been through much worse storms through this groups nesting days and there was no wetness. Maybe the water came from a different direction. I think the other 4 made it okay so that helps, but he tried so hard to get out, I could see his little head as he jumped and looked out. Such a sweet little life lost. Helping Bluebirds is hard because of the fledging process is the pitts. I will heed your advice and maybe try the opening of the door thing the next time if this occurs.

When my husband came home later that day, he helped me bury the little baby. We chose a special place and he said some kind words and I started crying my eyes out. I had no idea it had upset me so much. I hope I can develop tougher skin for this ongoing project.