HELP!!! There is Something Wrong!

14 years ago

OK, I am very panicky. I posted two messages earlier and all was well. It looked as though the babies might fledge today (day 16), and one was even halfway out of the hole. I've been watching the box pretty much all morning only coming inside to well, post the other two messages and to answer a couple of phone calls. I've only been inside about 10 minutes at a time, but much longer observing the box. At noon, I resumed the watch, but didn't see any heads at the hole. Mom and Dad were chattering in the trees, and I saw Dad just once, go to the box as if to feed. After a very quick shower, I began again and still no faces in the hole.

There is no way they fledged, with Mom and Dad still around and no babies in tow. My stomach is in knots thinking something has gone wrong and I am just too chicken to check the box. I looked through the binocs and saw no feathers, babies or any disturbance near the pole. What could possibly be the problem with 16 day old chicks who were fine all morning and ready to fledge??? What should I do, if anything? This makes no sense! Many thanks.

Donna

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Comments (5)

donnalovesblue
Original Author
14 years ago
Well, I do have a little good news! Just decided to check the box and it was totally empty...nest intact with no sign of any disturbance...but a big yukky mess. Just as I was closing the box, Daddy blue began to dive bomb me which I thought was strange, but as I slowly turned around, I saw a fledgling....just one!!! He/She sat for a minute then flew to a tree where Daddy joined him. I can only hope and pray the other 4 made it out to safety.

How could they have fledged in the few minutes I wasn't watching. They were there one minute then BAM, the little faces in the hole were gone! Shortly after that is when I panicked. Hate to sound like a pessimist, but is there a possiblity that something happened to the other 4 or is it likely they just all fledged at once and so quickly? I ask that only because I saw just the one, and of course I'm elated the precious thing is OK...but I just can't help but worry about the others.

The box will get cleaned out early tomorrow, but since there was no 3rd nesting last year, I doubt there will be one. Truthfully, I hope there won't be another round as it's just way too hot and dry and that would worry me to death!

Anyway, I'm happy to have seen the one and hope the other 4 are OK.

Hope all of you have a wonderful and safe holiday weekend. God Bless America and bless those blues, too!

Donna
lisa11310
14 years ago
You blinked! They can go that fast...I swear sometimes they wait till I have to potty to leave...thats why I warned you about a big pot of coffee.....Congrats...if you have big trees on your property all you need to do is go listen...they are there you just may not see them for a while.
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dzyg
14 years ago
Yeah Donna! Congrats on the fledging. I am sure they are all fine. Mine fledged on Thursday and I saw the last one go at 8:30AM. They were all in there at 6:15 but by 7AM I "thought" at least one had fledged but wasn't sure cause both mom and dad were near the box, I thought I heard one calling though and I was right. Mom and Dad I think get one settled somewhere and then go back to the box until they all fledge. I was happy to see the one go though, it was a girl and flew just fine. Mine were on day 19. Last year the Blues fledged at day 16 just like yours did. Now again just like last year they took the babies out of the yard and up the road about a block, they come back to grab the mealies and fly off with them. I am sure as long as they are safe they will follow in 1-2 weeks. I sure hope they stay safe and do come back with the parents so I know they are safe. I am really wondering about a second nesting here. My sisters are just starting to build a second nest and down at the park I think they may start soon too, they fledged two weeks ago now and the adults and babies have been around the box so I am thinking they may start soon. Before these babies here in the yard fledged Daddy Blue was going into a nearby box with some grass in his mouth so I know at least he is ready for round two. LOL! Hope you get to see all the fledglings soon!

Donna
janie_may
14 years ago
Donna, I've had them fledge right before my eyes and it happened so fast I didn't realize they were all fledging. Seriously, in less that 10 minutes I've seen five go! I've also had them go more than a day apart! They are definitely on their own schedule and like to keep up guessing!

Congratulations!
donnalovesblue
Original Author
14 years ago
All of you have made me feel so much better! Keeping us guessing???? Well that's an understatement!!LOL! The more I think I know about the blues, the more I'm surprised at what I don't know. With each nesting, I observe some different scenarios. For instance, late this afternoon after all the hoopla (with me!), Mama blue appeared a little perplexed as I watched her go to the nestbox when there were no babies. Then both parents were perched on a branch with no fledglings in sight.

Nothing to do at this point but hope all is well. Mom and Dad better bring the kids by soon to give me some peace of mind!!

Your responses will help me sleep better. Guess you're right Lisa...I blinked!

Donna