How sad. Anna's hummingbirds will sometimes take the materials from nests to build another. Some hummingbird species will reuse their nest, or build on top of their previously-used nest. Many nests are stretchy--by the time the fledglings leave, it has expanded too much to begin with eggs again. But if the female likes the site, she may build on top of the existing nest, sometimes returning to the same site yearly. But it sounds as if the conditions around this one are no longer suitable for raising young; maybe there was too little sun protection after the pruning or the exposed site caused the young to fall to predators. Since the conditions have been changed, I'm guessing the site is unlikely to be reused this year.

Dean, If this were my box, I would make them a new nest. You can fashion a pretty good one in something like a Cool Whip tub. Be sure the pine straw/dry grass you use is dry. Remove the eggs from the dirty nest with a plastic spoon and put them in a small container lined with scrunched up paper towels or something else soft. Take the dirty nest out, scrape the box as clean as you can get it, put the new nest in and replace the eggs. Don't worry if your nest isn't as good as one she would make--it won't be! But she'll work on it and make it into what she wants.

Is there not a cup in the nest and it's more flat? If so remove the eggs with a glove on or with a plastic spoon. Do not touch the eggs with your hands because the oils on your skin can make them not hatch. Reshape the nest so it has more of a cup for the eggs to sit in and then put the eggs carefully back in the nest. I also suggest you join the bluebird nut cafe and post your question there, you will get much more assistance with this problem and any others you encounter. http://bluebirdnutcafe.yuku.com/ -Tyler

My guess would be that the ones nesting in the front yard now are a new pair, or they would keep coming when they hear that whistle. Most likely when the backyard pairs nesting fledged the new pair took over that territory. While it is possible to get two pairs of bluebirds with a house in between, it won't always happen. It all depends on what the first male thinks is his territory. Once the nestlings fledge though they go out of their territory so they no longer have one persay. The new pair probably took up residence in the other males absence and now they rules the yard. Whether or not the old male comes back to reclaimn his backyard territory is now up to the front yard male...depends on where he thinks his territory is now. A bluebirds territory is approx 100 yds around the nestbox. Your old pair may come back..sometimes it takes a week or two to start another nesting...but they might not come back now either because of the other male in the front yard. Hard to tell what will happen...you will just have to watch and see. You may need to train the front yard blues now to come to the mealworms. Good luck! Donna