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Birdbath near Bluebird house

16 years ago

We have four babies about to begin their first flying lessons. Our best guess is that this will occur within the next few days. I read that it was safe to put a birdbath near the bluebird house, however after observing the bath for several weeks I am very nervous that we've put the babies and the parents in harms way. There are so many birds now using this birdbath from Robins to very large Ravens and everything else in between that I am tempted to take the bath away. The house is in the middle of our 2 acre backyard with woods nearby and pine trees within 20-25 feet of the house for safety. Any advice would be appreciated. Note: we originally saw five eggs but only see four babies at this time. Thank you.

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Comments (7)

judicolors
Original Author
16 years ago
I've been checking e-mail and this site as I thought comments would appear under the original posting. Can anyone respond as to how this works. Thank you.
gibby01
16 years ago
responses do appear under your posting, but the new ones don't go to the top, It is confusing and not like any other forum I've been to, but you get used to looking for the date of the last post. It gets easier. I have a small bird bath near my bb house, but I never see anyone using it.
those other birds would probably be a problem, maybe move it further away before they fledge.
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judicolors
Original Author
16 years ago
I have moved it further, but am considering taking it away all together. We've seen the male bluebird coming all the way to our feeders very close to our house (not using them) just checking things out. He seems to be getting used to us and I think he must be scooping out the area more and more the closer it gets to the babes learning to fly. I'm just guessing of course. This is only the second year and our second family of bluebirds. We have great pictures and it seems that only four of the babies have survived. They sure do grow quickly.
dzyg
16 years ago
I wouldn't take it away completely but wouldn't leave it near the nestbox either. You don't want to draw any predators near the nestbox. I have birdbaths on the deck and all the birds use them there.

Donna
organicgardener
16 years ago
It is really hot here in SE Texas and I see birds at the birdbath all the time. I too would move it away, but keep it somewhere as the birds need fresh water especially in hot weather.

Linda C
judicolors
Original Author
16 years ago
I have moved it further away and saw both parents using it. They now have left the box and have seen two babies leave. Do the babies return to the box once they have left? It seems the parents are trying hard to get the others to leave. I saw the first two fly straight down and held my breath. It's like seeing your child take the car out for the first time.
allan_2009
16 years ago
The babies don't return to the house. They head for the nearest trees & stay in them night & day begging to be fed at first light.

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