Renee: I really wonder if she will nest more than three times, regardless of how early she starts. In 2005 we had an early Spring here in Virginia and my first brood hatched out on March 3rd. I was so excited, thinking she might nest four times. When the third brood fledged in late June I really thought there was a chance. I cleaned out the nest box hopefully but she showed no interest at all. She had fledged 13 new bluebirds and she was DONE! I have heard that it has happened on rare occasion, but I have never talked to anyone who actually witnessed it. Anyone here ever see it first hand? Dave

Ummm, no I don't think you made the right decision. Robins eat worms along with other bugs, however Bluebirds do not have the digestive system to deal with worms. Plus they feed totally differently and "if" they possibly would make it to fledging would not be taught the proper way to hunt for bugs. Hopefully I never have to deal with what you did, loosing the adults and having newly hatched babies but I would never put them in another bird species nest. I do know someone that had the same dilema though as you with loosing the adults at hatching time, her babies did die but she was in contact with a rehabber who didn't hold out much hope for the little ones. Sorry about the loss of your male and then female. How did the male die? Was he pecked at all because if he was in the nest it does sound like a House Sparrow may have gotten him. Have you read sialis.org it has all kinds of great info on properly offering nestboxes and ways to prevent nest failures like sparrow spookers, wren guards, baffles etc. Donna

Debbie, are you SURE they are only 8 days? They look to be a few days older than mine and they are 8 days today. Maybe yours are growing faster because there are only 2 in there and their are 5 crammed in my box? I would get a spoon and remove the eggs since they are sitting up on the nest. Usually un hatched eggs get shoved way under the nest where you cant get to them but those look easy enough.

I can't wait to find out what he decides to call you. Me, too, Quilly! Wildchild, when is your grandchild due? We can look forward to your pictures! can you imagine how much you'd be paying to buy film and have it developed. Yes, I can imagine--because I did exactly that with my three children and the first 8 years or so of Lizzie's life. Oy! But the best part of digital photography is the ability to share to my heart's content. ;-) Thank you all!