I just got back from checking the box again. Still just the one little guy. He's starting to get those downy feathers now, and is definitely breathing and growing. He hatched on Sunday morning, so that's 4 days old now. The other two eggs are just sitting there, looking a little dull. I'm almost positive they won't hatch, but I'm going to wait until the weekend. My issue now is how to move the unhatched eggs. As luck would have it this nest is deeper than the other two were. This morning I also noticed some gunk on the back of the box (inside) right under the nest line. I think I should try to wipe it off before ants find it but I'm worried about that too. Figured I'd do everything at once. The parents were in and out of the box a lot yesterday afternoon so I really hoped I'd find 3 babies today. Brad is still super attentive, chasing robins away (but not the mockingbirds or titmice). They did eat more waxworms today but I didn't see them take any into the box. DONNA - I pick out the smallest waxworms and mix them in with a few bigger ones. If anyone can provide some guidance on how to move these eggs without hurting the little one it would be appreciated. It's supposed to be hot again today and tomorrow, with thunderstorms starting up tomorrow afternoon. It's going to be even hotter on Sunday and Monday, so I know if the eggs haven't hatched by Saturday I need to get them out or they'll cook. I have told you guys how wonderful you are haven't I? *S* tara

Great job Tara!! I too have learned alot here over the past three years and I know exactly how you feel. Last year I had to bury three babies, it was quite hard but I felt good that one did survive because of me and they stayed around and blessed me with the ability to watch that little girl turn into her adult colors. I know that hollow joyous feeling in cleaning the box out. The first year I had two nestings in the yard but last year and this year I had just one nesting each. I have had two nestings at the park that I monitor Bluebird houses both last year and this year but it is the Blues in the yard that I get attached to, that I talk to, that I call for and that I worry about, even pray for them every Sunday in church. My almost 9 year old thinks I am nuts about the Blues but hopefully I am teaching her something and I think maybe someday it can be her monitoring Bluebird houses. Donna

My guess would be that the ones nesting in the front yard now are a new pair, or they would keep coming when they hear that whistle. Most likely when the backyard pairs nesting fledged the new pair took over that territory. While it is possible to get two pairs of bluebirds with a house in between, it won't always happen. It all depends on what the first male thinks is his territory. Once the nestlings fledge though they go out of their territory so they no longer have one persay. The new pair probably took up residence in the other males absence and now they rules the yard. Whether or not the old male comes back to reclaimn his backyard territory is now up to the front yard male...depends on where he thinks his territory is now. A bluebirds territory is approx 100 yds around the nestbox. Your old pair may come back..sometimes it takes a week or two to start another nesting...but they might not come back now either because of the other male in the front yard. Hard to tell what will happen...you will just have to watch and see. You may need to train the front yard blues now to come to the mealworms. Good luck! Donna

I know!!! What is up with all that running around by Pipevine cats before they pupate??? Maybe they are genetically programed to go on a long journey before pupation. Keeping them in an enclosure disrupts the programing, so they ramble around the enclosure for days, who knows? I want to see photos when they emerge!! Taking some to the country is great idea. I can't believe this but I am actually removing butterfly eggs!!! Ughhh!! But the A. tomentosa vines just can't handle the munching right now. I moved what was left of the potted A. macrophylla vines to a sunnier spot and, by george, they are looking better and might even grow this time!! None of these got to flower this first year, so no seeds to play with but when they grow back out, I'll try cuttings with leaves and "stapling" some vines to the dirt in the pot. There's next year to consider. :) Anna