We checked the box and the nest was flattened completely. We had gone out to purchase and prepare a new bluebird box and a new post as the old one was warping. We removed the old nest and took out the pool and house to dig a deeper hole for the new house. The parent stood by the entire time we did this. There were no babies left in the box, however, at the very bottom of the nest we did find one egg that did not hatch. We don't think this is why the parents kept coming back. We do think they just wanted to keep a claim on the box. Well, within two minutes (before we even got back to our house) the male flew back to the new house and both parents have been flying back and forth for the last four days. The male keeps looking inside the box and if any other bird attempts to come near, they are quickly chased away by the male. We are anxiously awaiting for them to start building their new nest. They may be still feeding their babies who should be pretty well on their own by now. It was interesting how they watched us as we installed their "new house" and immediately returned to it. I'll keep you posted and hopefully building will begin soon. We saw them do this before they built their last nest. It took days for them to actually start building. We checked and checked and finally started to see the female bringing in nesting material. Hope it happens soon. It has been very hot here - temperatures around 90 and above. Lots of baby cardinals, bluejayss, etc. coming around our feeders near our house. Everyone is quite busy! And the babies are quite insistent on being fed even though some are a large as their parents.

Wow this sounds so much like what went on here. I put a bowl full of mealies out the day they fledge but none after that for awhile. I find they don't come for them much until the babies are ready to come with them. If this is your same female that means Dad was left to raise 5 kids and it may take a little longer with just one parent. My Pop showed up with the kids later than normal. He's always been nearly 2 weeks to the day and this time it was closer to 3. I have learned that NO, Blues do not always mate for life. There is no question this is Hussy Mom and that Pop got ditched with the babies. I have been feeling bad for Pop (but I guess more for myself). I hope I have not lost him, I know hes not too far, I hear him but still have not found his new nest. Pop has been here for 3 years that I know of. Something happened to his first female between first and second nesting last year and that's when he took up with Hussy Mom. I never would have know it was a different female untill she quit feeding the babies.(maybe the fisrt female took off on him too)? There was no question this years first nesting was Pop and Hussy Mom. The thing is I could never be certain I had the same pair each year, there was always a little something different about each nesting except for Pop, he's always been in the same branches and been consistant with his behavior. His red goes down much farther in the front also.I really hope that I will have both Hussy Mom & Joe Daddy AND Pop with his new female next year. I am looking at the bright side, I should have twice the Blues and after all more Blues is what this is all about! I hope your Dad shows up with the babies soon and as stated above, mealies have nothing to do with survival especially at this time of year!

Rachell, Thanks for your comforting words. I was SO worried! This morning, two were on the edge of the container they are nested in, preening, and trying out their wings ... just 'flpping' to see how they worked! Soon, the mom and dad flew in together and fed them. The biggest one is ready to go. The other two, a bit littler. I quietly shut the 'peek space in my door', came in ... raised my fist in the air .. and said "Yeeeesssssssss!" I love these little buggers SO much! ....The WONDER of it all! ;) PS: What was really funny, as I watched these little babies stretching, and preening, and checking their flying gear ... Dr. Wayne Dyer was on Public TV (in the background) ... talking about 'Don't think you can't do it!" (chuckle!)

Gibby, mine really never leave. I mean, when they fledge they do hide in the tall trees about 500 feet from the house, but the adults still come for meal worms and carry them to the trees. I watch to see where they go and usually catch a glimpse of one or more of the fledglings as they feed them. Mine fledged on August 14 and just yesterday two of them for the first time followed the parents to the deck where I have the meal worm feeder. Tonight three of them were there and one of the fledges managed to get into the feeder cage. Very cute. Mine are so used to my routine that when they see me come out on the deck they come flying in, looking for a handout. Here in Virginia they stay the year round but as cold weather approaches and insects become scarce, they will look for me even more. I would put a few worms out and watch to see who gets them. If you have been feeding them in the past, they will probably drop by from time to time to check. If there's nothing there, you may not see them. Good luck. Dave