Found this wonderful site when I really needed it! My backstory first.

Deck-mounted nest box for 5 years with no interest. Removed birdfeeder in June, due to a resident black bear, and VOILA! A pair of Bluebirds began nestbuilding. (we are pole-mounting this box at the end of the season!)

June 30 ~ 2 eggs (photo).

July 2 ~ 4 eggs (photo) & incubation.

July 15 ~ Captured white marks on 1 egg HOURS before hatching (photo).

July 16 ~ (BIRTH DAY - no photo)

July 17/Day 1 ~ Now monitoring daily with photos... until day 12!

July 18/Day 2 ~ Spotted a lifeless chick. Found this forum, read hundreds of posts & learned much about dead chicks!

July 19/Day 3 ~ Happy news: chick is moving & was simply the NEWEST member of the clutch.

July 20/Day 4 (today) ~ All is well SO FAR with lots of feeding activity by mom, pop and at least one male fledgling from our other box!!

Thank you for the valuable info provided here. I will continue to share this Birth Day Miracle with additional pics, as well.

- (a very excited & grateful) Vicki

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