Phoebe: Sorry I didn't have time to post a more complete response last night. I live in a subdivision and on a very small lot so I only have room for one nest box. I put it up when we moved here in 2004 and have had 3 nestings in it each year since then. I have titmice and nuthatches too, as well as song sparrows, Carolina wrens, chickadees and downy woodpeckers (and unfortunately, house sparrows) that all come for the meal worms I put out for the blues. It's no problem except it runs my meal worm bill up. The blues boss all of the above and on very cold or snowy days will stand guard at the feeder as if they fear I will run out. I no longer feed seed eating birds (except in severe weather). When I did I was overrun with cowbirds and starlings that nested in the trees behind the house, ate all the seed and harrassed the blues all summer. So now it's just the birds listed above, plus the gold finches and the hummers. Still, because I provide water, my yard is a virtual beehive at times and I know the blues would prefer more solitude, but it is a small yard and they accept all the bustle. I know of only one other BB house in this development and I see blues nesting in abandoned woodpecker holes in the trees behind the house. I don't know how successful they are with the starlings up there but to me it is an indication that real estate is in short supply in this area. They don't always take many meal worms in the summer but they do appreciate them on days 13 to 18, when they have to hustle to fill 4 or 5 hungry mouths. All I can think of in your case is that there must be something in your area that threatens them (HOSP, cats, nest box location)and they have found a more ideal location that they go to to nest. As I said, they should be able to control the other birds and with your help, the HOSP too. But if the BBs' nest is nearby, they should continue to come to your place for meal worms and water, if you provide it. I too see hawks but the birds have a very good alarm system so they rarely are successful and I have never lost a BB yet. Knock on wood. Best of luck. Dave

The only time I've seen them fledge completely I did notice signs. The parent birds kept landing on the housing with food, but would not give it to the young. They appeared to be enticing them out, landing at the entrance, then quickly moving up to the roof of the house. I thought it looked like they were trying to encourage them out, so I sat and watched with binoculars and sure enough, I got to witness all five fledge. Hopefully you'll see some sign of it. Most of the time I miss it because they fledge too early in the morning, too late at night, or when I'm at work. I sure hope you get to witness it. It is really fun.

Tim it's nice to have someone "listen" to advise. You do need to get that box off the post or you will be posting next week that your babies disapeared. It happens all the time, someone comes in for advice, doesn't listen and then are back asking what went wrong. So glad you are working on doing the safe thing! I would put the pole 10 ft from the fence being sure there are no trees or bushes that something could jump on the box from. Be sure to have the hole face in the same direction it is now. In this heat I am sure your babies are going to really need the vent holes. Take whatever you have on the old box and put it on the new box. Be sure to get the baffel on the pole too. Once this is all done take a pancake flipper and a shallow bowl or box to transfer the nest safley. Mom and Dad will hear the babies and find them but be sure to do this when you have time to sit back and watch the box to be sure they DO accept it. Good Luck! OH BTW be sure you are tracking how old they are so you don't look in after day 13 AND to know when they may be fledging....you don't want to leave your Dog out during that time.

Mom has not abandon it if it is a healthy bird. It is not unusual for a baby to need and extra day. You can read up on Blues at www.sialis.org Have you peeked in the box to be sure it's not stuck in something? Call a rehabber first thing and get instructions on what to do if a parent does not return tomorrow. I have one that fledged today, 3 are still in the box. Mom has not been back this evening but I know she will be in the AM. I am one that will do everything I can even if it's stretching the law a bit when it comes to saving babies. I have been know to bring them in (in the nest) and feed them when I knew they were starving (done with a rehabbers instructions). I am not suggesting you do this , just letting you know there are things you can do other than just let it die. HOWEVER I bet Mom is there bright and early! Let us know!