Blue birds

I have a couple. They come back each year. They made their nest, layed 4 eggs. I have removed all the sparrows in my yard. Yet they have abandoned thier eggs and are checking out another box in the Yard. The eggs were layed around May 22nd. Should I remove them? Is it too late for these eggs. I am very uspset and don't know what to do.

I have no idea what you should do other than hope that Mother Nature will do the right thing.

Hi Ginny, Here is some info from Sialis.

Incubation: 12-14 days. While they may sit on eggs occasionally during the egg laying period, "full-time" regular incubation doesn't start until all eggs are laid. They may wait about a week if weather is still cold. They may start incubating before the clutch is complete in warmer conditions. Hatching failure is highest during warmer conditions.

Hatching: May occur over 24-48 (rarely 72 hours)

Fledging: 16-21 days, typically 17-18.


Do you know when the last egg was laid?

The last egg was laid on May 22nd. I live in Maryland, Cecil County. It has been very wet here. I see that they are building a nest in one of my other boxes. I was wondering if they have just given up on their eggs. They haven't gone in the box with the eggs for about 4 days. The boxes are about 30 feet away from each other. And the one they are building a nest in now was the one that I have been catching the sparrows in. Luckily there seems to be no more sparrows around. Should I remove the eggs and nest?

This message was edited Jun 18, 2009 11:25 AM

This message was edited Jun 18, 2009 11:25 AM

Yes I would remove them, it's way past the time. Are you going to block the entrance to that house?

No I don't think so. Maybe I will be lucky and a chikadee or a swallow may decide to nest there. Thanks for the info. It is funny how upsetting it is when things don't go as planned. I love my wild birds but boy they are alot of work and emotions.....

They sure are! Keep us posted on how things go!

I now have four new babies!!!!! They ended up making the nest in the other box and they are feeding the babies all day. I have been so upset over the downfall of the first nest they abandoned. All seems to be going well now. Hopefully we will get another brood before the season is over....

Congratulations!

:-)

I had five babies!!!!! My husband, his parents and I watched them all fledge yesterday. We spent a couple of hours on the deck watching the mother and father blue bird trying to get their babies to fly out of the box. It was so amazing. What a day. I am keeping my fingers crossed that they build another nest.......

Congratulations Ginny...I know how exciting that can be!