We have two more nests with eggs. These mama bluebirds must be using the exact same nest building specs because to me, it looks like 2 pictures of the same nest but I was there when Vince took the pictures. There are eggs in Nests B and J!
Bluebird Nest
Bluebird Nest
Several nests have babies in them. Several have new nests being built.
Our biggest problem so far has been Carolina Wrens. They’re protected so once their nests are active – completed or have eggs – we can’t touch them. We’ve been trying to check the nesting boxes every evening to get the sticks out before the wrens set up housekeeping and have to be left there. They can completely build a nest in less than 24 hours and right now, we have three boxes that have active Carolina Wren nests so they get to stay til they’re done. They’re pretty aggravating but I guess they need a place to raise their babies too.
One of them built a nest inside a box of latex gloves that was sitting under the shed.
Wren Nest
There are 7 eggs in there.
Wren Nest
They can build anywhere they want . . so long as they stay out of the bluebird boxes and out of my boots! But actually . . they really can build anywhere they want and if we don’t find the nest before it’s “active”, we can’t move them.
Erin says
The nests are so pretty. I just love the color of the bluebird eggs. The wrens are here too, set up a nest at my front door! Messy birds! Nature is phenominal…I enjoy seeing all of this! Thanks!!!
wanda j says
Oh I’m so happy for you and Vince. Bluebirds are so beautiful and there for awhile we almost lost them. Now remember these will most likely come back year after year now they have found their house. And yes they can build a nest in one day. but if momma don’t like it she won’t lay eggs. So if you have a nest with noting on it in a couple of days dump and let them rebuild. I’ve had as many as 4 sets of babies each time in one year. Again congrads on the eggs.
Sherrill says
Oh MAN!! You guys are going to have lots of bluebirds around your place. Do you have to have a certain % of boxes occupied to qualify for the ag exemption? I have never heard the C. wrens were protected. Will have to ‘google that’!! LOL We had a pair build a nest in an empty trash bag box on our back porch and scared us everytime we went out the back door. But the eggs hatched, the babies flew the coop/box and we threw the box away!! HA They do sing a beautiful song and LOUD for such a tiny body.
Judy Laquidara says
My understanding is there are no occupancy rates that have to be met. We simply have to be doing the outlined items to improve their habitat. We are only able to get approval for species that we’ve seen here so if we had not seen quite a few bluebirds already, they would not have approved us. We rarely see quail so we would probably not have been approved if we had sought approval for improving quail habitat.
Pdudgeon says
congrats on attracting and helping the bluebirds!
Carolyn says
I freed a Carolina Wren from the netting I have around my garden the other day. Luckily I had scissors w me bc I was stringing up jute for my peas. It held still while I found some lose places to snip. It took about 4-5 snips and then it was free and flying away. No camera w me so like FB it didn’t really happpen!
Dar in MO says
Your bluebird nests and eggs are beautiful. I wish ours would come back, but haven’t seen any yet. I even have some meal worms and a new feeder to encourage them. I love the little Carolina wrens around here. They sing such a beautiful little song each morning and they have such cute little eyebrows and perky tails it’s fun to see them feeding their young. Haven’t seen them yet this year either! We have lots of robin and cardinal nests though. Also hummingbirds at the feeder, so I’m happy that not everyone deserted us. lol
AmyM says
So good about he bluebirds. Mother nature has not been so kind here. The first batch of Brown headed nuthatch eggs were destroyed by a racoon. So we got a baffle, and now the second batch is in the nest. And the Chickadee that took the bluebird house… the babies hatched, and were doing well, and then gone! I looked it up and it might be snakes or other… so now we have to go get another baffle.
Hope yours all proceed without problem. sigh.