CONGRATULATIONS!! SHE'S BEEN GOING INTO HER HOUSE BUT IT STILL DOESN'T LOOK LIKE SHE'S EATING. I'M GOING UP THERE TO CHECK IN A LITTLE WHILE.

I'm sorry it took so long to get back to you. I fixed the Mylar on her house so it wasn't flapping in front of her doorway. Then I fed her fresh mealworms. I'm going to get calcium powder tomorrow. I've finally seen the male after two weeks. That might be either because of the Mylar, (he feels safe,) or the food or maybe just both. I still haven't seen her eat. We had another thunderstorm. WOW!!! Do you play golf? How are your babies? I won't even know because this Martin House is so high, and her nest is so deep, I can't even see. If I get a chance to send you a picture to give to an idea, I will. Thanks so much for your emails, nobody around to talk that understands. You really are a life saver!

Just wanted to let you know dad has been checking in with mom several times a day and bringing her food! I'm so happy she's not alone!

Hi,

I just wanted to know if I said something that offended you, because we were emailing several times a day and now nothing. If it's because your friend is back, I know you missed her terribly, then please at least let me know so I don't feel I said something to hurt your feelings .

Little feathers!

I worry way too much about these sweet things. I've learned so many things the hard way!

I can't take pictures because my babies are in a Martin House and it is so high in the air and mommy made the nest soon deep. But...... I can't believe it, I have been watching and worrying about her and all of the sudden dad shows up!!!! Now the both of them are feeding the babies every 15 minutes? I actually got on a 12 foot ladder a stood on the top step and saw about 4-5 mouths in there open. I FELT SO PROUD OF MYSELF!!! I've been bring them mealworms and they don't seem to take them from the feeder. I fatten them up with carrots, celery, wheat germ, and calcium carbonate, and the next day they're crawling out of the feeder so I throw them in the woods. They seem to be bringing back a lot of crickets, caterpillars, etc. Now that they're at this stage, how long do you think I'll have before they leave?

I'm sooo happy for you! I spy on mine way too much and they love to dive mob me but I get a photo a day! Way too excessive! They should fly away between day 17 and 21 and then they take them away for about a month to a few doors down usually to teach them how to catch bugs. It's An amazing moment when you see the parents bring them back! I've never been lucky enough to see them fly away! Would love to one day!

heres today....

As someone who's broken my knee and foot let's do a lower birdhouse next year! Lol!

I've been throwing away the live mealworms from the feeder each day near where I think they will pick them up and they have. I have 3 bluebird houses I'm going to put up next year, but I'm going to clean this one out fast so hopefully she'll get back into it soon. I'm so excited!!!!

I would love to be able to compare mine with yours. Do you name your mom and dad?

I love seeing them teach the babies how to take a bath in the birdbath!!! So funny to watch all the splashing!!

You mean to tell me that they stay around afterwards?

They do here! The whole family will take a bath together. Sometimes I count 12 or so on the power line in our driveway all in a row.

This is the first year mine have stayed around. It takes about a month for them to bring them out of hiding but it's hilarious to see them at the worm feeder trying to learn how to get in!

Hi

I have a question and I thought you might be able to help me. What does it mean when mom and pop are starting to take out the fecal sacs? Or at least I think think that's what it is. It looks like hard-boiled egg whites. They're both still feeding with a vengeance!!!

Thanks,

Beth

They do it from day one. As soon as they eat they pass the sacs and they are convenient little packets for the parents. They take them away from the nest for good housekeeping!!!!

Thanks, I can actually see the babies now with my binoculars with their mouths open crying for food! Mom and dad are bringing them all kind of neat things to eat. They found the mealworms on the ground. Dad had one in his mouth and on his back today. Double your money? After this is over how long do I wait to clean out the house? I want her to have a clean place as soon as she needs it.

The day they leave! I'm so glad they are doing ok!!!!

im dealing with a raccoon now. Always something to worry about!

Awww.....so cute!!

OMG! THEY'RE ADORABLE!

Hi,

I'm so sorry I haven't gotten in touch with you until now. A number of things have happened over the past week which have left me to the point of just wanting to "Bury my head in the sand so to speak." Anyway, my babies are just about ready to fly any day. I can see their wings and they're flapping around. There's two dads now who are helping out, which is so great for her! She's FINALLY found the mealworm feeder and I can't fill it fast enough!!! I'm so sorry I can't send pictures, I tried, but on a ladder, 12 feet high, with a phone in a Martin House hole it was still to dark. Maybe I can catch the babies when they come out. What do you think? Oh, enough about me, how are you and "YOURS?" ANYTHING exciting going on? "HAPPY FOURTH OF JULY!"

Beth

Hi Beth!!! One of mine is day 17 and the others day 16. I was so afraid they would fledge today because it sounds like a war zone outside. But mom and dad fed them at least 20 times this evening so I think they have a few more days...

I worry about everything but I really hate all of the firecrackers going off in the neighborhood. I'm grateful they are snug in their house for one more day. They mist be so confused!

I worked today and tomorrow too so as usual I will miss fledge day. :( Oh well!

Keep me posted!!!

I realized how sad it will be not to rush home and watch them feed the babies every day!!

Stay off of that ladder! I command you! LOL!

Hi!

I want you to be the first to know that my babies flew away!!! I didn't see them, but I saw them flying in the air with mom. I have to take down the Martin House tomorrow and clean it out, (and also find out if everything was successful.) Wish me luck! And how was your week?

Beth

Oh, and of course, I just received 4000 mealworm in the mail. They are now sitting in my refrigerator. Any ideas?

Yay!!!!! Mine flew away yesterday while I was at work! Darn!!! The parents will keep the hidden in trees, in my case always 2 doors down. The parents will still come get mealworms (though mine have not this evening, grrr) and take them to the babies that they have hidden. They will hide them for several weeks. So keep putting the worms out. I just got off amazon and ordered 2000 more. With my last fledge it was so cute to see all the babies in the tree where the mealworm feeder was waiting for the parents to feed them. And then I got to watch their clumsy attempts at getting in the feeder.

This evening I'm a little concerned because no one has tried to get mealworms.

I dont think yours will go to waste. Maybe there are so many bugs out that they aren't interested? That's what I'm telling myself! Keep me posted!

And let's start planning for next year so you won't be on a ladder!

Signed...victim of many broken legs and foot. LOL

I'm really hoping for another brood. What do you think?

I cleaned the house out today. She is so smart! She filled the other holes of the Martin House (the opposite side) with nests from top to bottom! In the other holes there were nests ( I checked them all for bugs, moisture etc.) but the one that she had used, one of the babies didn't make it. It was half in and half out of its shell, so I took it out, wiped everything down, blow-dried it until I thought it would be ok, cleaned the rest. Oh, I couldn't believe it, she had already dropped an egg in another nest, but... unfortunately, I was trying to make sure they were all dry underneath, (because the last one wasn't.) and I dropped the egg! What do you think is going to happen? I also learned a tip that if you rub ivory soap around the opening of the entrance it deters ants. Could you let me know what you think about the egg thing? Oh, it looked like there were at least 3-4 broods that were in those different holes!

Hopefully she will lay another egg. She may choose a different nest though. It freaks them out a bit to lose an egg...Greasing to pole is a good ant deterrent I believe.

Hi,

Long time, no hear. Hope everything is going ok with you. I actually saw mom and dad getting mealworms that I put out for them (everyday.) I haven't seen the babies yet. I hope she has one more brood..

At least you see yours everyday, right? This was the first time I saw them since Saturday.

I was stupid and was putting the mealworm all over the ground in front of their house. Now I have sparrows or sirens whatever eating them and the bluebird s are afraid. What should I do? Everything was so nice and peaceful, then WHAM!!! 1 day, that's all it took!

Invest in the cage feeder! It's worth it! Today's surprise...

Ooh some issue with photos... grrrr

Still not working!

Got any specific ones in mind?

I haven't been here in forever because I can never figure out how to get here unless I get an e-mail notice of a new post...

But guess what??? Number 4 nest hatched yesterday!!!! In August!!! Unheard of! 3 of 4 eggs hatched. The weather has been way better than normal for this time of year. I was sure the eggs would cook. And the 10 day forecast never gets above the 80's. So they just might have a chance!

Trying as always not to get too excited!

There is a blue cage feeder that keeps out the big birds. It is featured on Bluebirdnutcafe but I found it online before I ever found that site...

Hi, it's been awhile since I've read this post, is anyone still on it?