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3rd nesting?

15 years ago

I am so baffled.I had a 2nd nest of 4 eggs with one hatching when we left on vacation on July 3rd.Well we didn't get back until the 20th which should have been when they were ready to fledge,actually that day or possibly the day before.I went to check the box on Sunday afternoon when we got home and was shocked to see a Momma Blue fly out.So I backed away and figured they had not left yet.It has been raining hard here in Mass all week and the brook was overflowing so I could not get to the box until today.I started out there and saw a blue leave the box.I decided to check anyway to see if something was wrong.Well to my great surprise there is a beautiful neat nest and 4 perfect eggs.Now I have no idea what is going on.the nest is perfect ,nice and clean like a new one.I didn't clean it out so do they ever clean out a nest?It sure doesn't look used.This is really a new one for me.I will be home this weekend so I can watch closely,but it sure seems strange.I know the others had started to hatch when we were leaving that day.anyone have any ideas?Hope it's a 3rd nesting...Jane

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Comments (3)

bbcathy
15 years ago
Jane If your dates are correct it sure sounds like something happened to the last nest but I suppose anything is possible. Could have been a snake or something else. Is your box baffled?
Cathy
crcst
Original Author
15 years ago
yes my box is baffled and the nest is not messed up at all.I wonder if I had a visit from a HOWR while I was gone.I know one baby was hatching the day we left.I think you must be right though,something happened to that last nesting.I had no problem with HOWR all summer,so I had not put on a wren guard.If thats what it was,I guess I am glad I was not here.I just looked out and Daddy is on top of the box.Guess I will just have to wait and see when this batch hatches,cause I have no idea when the eggs were layed.Time will tell,I'll keep you posted....Jane
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Could you just slide the old nest out from under the new one? Then you could check it for parasites, and also it makes the new nest lower so other birds can't reach in and grab the young. I'm pretty sure the old, flattened nest should be easy to separate from the new one.
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Boy can I relate to your frustration. Those wrens ruin so many nests. Sorry about your Blues being chased out. Those wrens are just awful.
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I am on my 3rd nesting I think. First one had four eggs, then the nest was abandoned. Didn't see the blues for awhile,then the eggs were on the ground. Not viable at all. 2nd nesting there were 4 eggs, two fledged, 2 died, one very small one and one normal size. 3rd nesting, 3 eggs, 3 hatched, 17 days old. Saw them at 12 days old. Havent checked since for fear premature fledging. Saw Mama this morning a couple of times at the box, saw her once this evening get an insect but didn't go to the box. Doesn't seem to be any activity around the box. Could be they have fledged. Haven't checked. I will wait a couple of more days to make sure. I don't know if I would know the difference between an adult and baby. Haven't seen any around today but one, I think it was the mother.
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erictammy
15 years ago
Jane, maybe the old nest is smashed down and under the new nest. Is that a possibility? Congrats on your 3rd nesting.
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