18 replies to this topic

[Kaysei]

I've had some bluebirds building nests in my newspaper box for about 3 years now.  I don't know enough about birds to know if it's the same pair.  I don't think any babies survived the first year.  Last May there were 3-4 young ones who made it.  I still have at least 2 eggs in there now, and I honestly can't remember how long they've been there.  I'm pretty sure they're no good because they would've hatched a long time ago.  About two months ago someone ran into my mailbox post and knocked the mailbox completely off the post. The newspaper box attached to the same post was OK, and the nest was still there, but I imagine the impact ruined the eggs, if that's possible. I know the bluebirds still hang around it, so I'm wondering if I should get the eggs out of the nest, remove the whole nest, or just leave it alone.  I want them to try again!

Last year:

[threeofhardts]

If those eggs have been in there for at least 2 months then yes, clean it out.  Bluebird eggs hatch usually in 12-14 days so those eggs aren't viable any longer.  I clean out my nestbox shortly after the last baby leaves the nest.

[Kaysei]

That's what I was thinking too. Should I remove what's left of the nest? It's been there awhile.

[threeofhardts]

Yes, remove the nest, too.  You may want to get a Bluebird nestbox and put it up.  Since they're already raising young in your yard I'm sure they'd love a box that they won't have to share with the newspaper. 

[Kaysei]

Good point!  They really seem to like it there though.  I've always been careful to put up signs for the paperman:  CAUTION! NURSERY!  or BABIES ON BOARD! 

[dklucius]

i was born on an old farm in southeast Utah and for as long as i can remember either mountain blue birds or western bluebirds nested under the eaves of barns or sheds and even the farm house. in the spring there would be 2 or 3 pairs show up and build straw and stems and twig nests under the eaves. several times wind or storms ect. would blow the nests down. as a young boy i cut iup scrap wood and built wooden open top boxes that i nailed to the rafters up under the eaves. they seemed to prefer south faceing sides. i cleaned out the boxes early every spring and started putting out hay or straw or bits of string and yarn.we have long cold winters and short spring and summer so they would usually only have one brrood a year. after the young fledged and were good enough flyers they would all disappear till the next spring.

[YourBirdOasis]

It's really important to remove material from old nests because it can harbor parasites that may cause a future attempt to fail even if the birds add material and build on top of an old nest. If the spot is good and the pair using it had success in the past, they will usually build again.

[Kaysei]

Thanks for all the advice. I took the old nest out yesterday, and by the time I got home around 5:00pm today, they had already started on a new one! 

[Kaysei]

I am happy to report the appearance of 4 bluebird eggs!

[threeofhardts]

That's great!   Enjoy!   I'm looking forward to my Bluebirds returning this Spring.

[spyonabird]

4 eggs - great!  I am still waiting for mine to begin building.  They keep looking inside the box, but very little progress

 

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[Kaysei]

Correction...FIVE eggs!  Lighting is bad...but they are that pretty bluebird blue!  Shouldn't they have hatched by now?     The parents are still flying in & out of the box.

 

[threeofhardts]

It usually takes 12-14 days for the eggs to hatch once the last egg has been laid.  But if it's been cold there it may be longer.  This site has a lot of good info about Bluebirds.

[Kaysei]

Congratulations! I'm a mom!    I think the babies may have hatched yesterday, but I didn't see them until this morning. I can't tell how many yet.  I'll post some pics when I can get some good ones without disturbing them. 

[Kaysei]

Premature celebration. I went to get the newspaper this morning, and the babies are all gone.  No babies, no sign of violence, nothing. 

[spyonabird]

that's really sad   Hopefully they will try again.

 

[illin]

Like someone else said get a bluebird box. The entry to the newspaper box is big enough to allow a predator in. Bird boxes are made with the hole cut out for the size of the bird they are made for. Reducing the chance of a predator being able to get in.

 

Sorry for the loss. Nature is tough.

[Kaysei]

I probably should go ahead and get a nest box, even though they've enjoyed their newspaper house for several seasons now.  I'm not sure where I'll put it though.  I have only one pine tree in a corner of the front yard. There are pines, mimosas, and others (oak or birch?) lining the back of the property.  The bluebirds seem to favor the front yard, so should I mount the box on a pole near that pine tree?

[spyonabird]

I would mount it on a pole facing southward, about 5 ft off the ground.  Maybe about 5-10 ft from the pine tree.  It will give the fledglings a place to land on their first flight.  Don't be surprised if they do  not use it the first year.  It may take some time for them to find it.

Denise