Nestbuilding going on here....babies fledged less than a week ago

14 years ago

Somehow I just knew that this pair of Blues this year were going to nest again once the babies fledged. All during the nesting they both were checking out the other boxes once the Swallows fledged or were lost in that bad weather we had. They had been interested in a box on the other side of the yard until the swallows in the box about 20 feet from the one the Blues were in fledged and then they started defending that box like crazy. A few days before fledging I even saw Dad go in the box with some grass and then come out and sit on top of the house pounding it on the top of it. Well the babies fledged last week Tuesday, July 1st..day 19. They took the babies out of our yard and up the road to the neighbors yard and have kept them there. I watch where they fly when they take the worms. I noticed yesterday the female going in that nestbox they liked so well and then again today and saw she had something in her mouth. Later I went out and looked and yep, she has started a nest. I sure hope they don't chase these fledglings away once they can feed themselves and let them stay around for this second nesting. This will only be my second time for a second nesting too, all other years I just had one except for my first year when I had two, that time the Dad chased the little ones away though. I just can't believe she has started another nest when it hasn't even been a week yet, well amost but not quite. The ones down at the park usually waited 2 weeks to start another nest. I know nestbuilding may take probably more than a week though so the babies will probably be following them around by the time she starts laying eggs again. I sure hope everything goes ok with this second nesting, like it did with the first. They are very clean parents too, nest was very clean after fledging. They chose a Gilwood box this time, last time was a Nabs as it was the only style left at the time.

Donna

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Comments (4)

ken3592
14 years ago
Congrats on the fledging and the second nesting. I am very anxious for the fledging of our nestlings, because it will be our first successful fledging. I'm also bummed that we will most likely be on vacation when they fledge: we are leaving for a week starting on the 11th, and today is their 8th or 9th day. I have no idea if they will stick around or not...hopefully I can atleast see them once when we get back just to be sure that they made it and are safe. Maybe mine will fledge late so I get to see them, however it is very doubtful since it is late in the season and I'm providing mealworms; I'm really just hoping for healthy fledglings.

I think my TRES will be fledging today or tomorrow. I have been seeing heads poking out and hearing a lot of wing-flapping.
tuduloo
14 years ago
This is the first year that it looks like I'm going to have a 3rd nesting. Our 2nd nest of blues fledged last Thursday, and Saturday Mama was building a new nest! As of today, it looks like it is complete. Funny thing is that I have two bluebird boxes about 60 feet apart. They used one box for the first nesting and the second box for the second nesting. It also looked like she had started a nest in the first box then changed her mind and used the second box for the second nesting. Now she is still using the second box, and again there is some grass and pine straw in the first box. Could she actually be doing that to keep another bird from claiming that box? Maybe she doesn't want any neighbors!!
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ken3592
14 years ago
Yes, tuduloo, I think sometimes the Bluebirds build "dummy nests" in all the nestboxes within a certain area to sort of "claim" them. Then the female will pick which box she wants to nest in and build a complete nest.
reneethegeek
14 years ago
I have empty nest symdrome, my first year box yielded 4 healthy baby blues and with all the rain we've been getting I can't tell if mom is interested in re-building! I know they're still hanging close by (I see them pretty regular) so my fingers are crossed. I also have a pair of Cedar Waxwings building in a large pine tree behind the house, perhaps if Mrs. B decides one brood in my yard is enough I still get to watch another set of babies grow. I have to admit, I'm a little addicted! :)

Nestbuilding going on here....babies fledged less than a week ago

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ken3592

tuduloo

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