I am a first-time blue birder. We have a pair nesting in a box and beginning 6/26 the female has laid 3 eggs. I was expecting 4 or 5. It looks like she has taken a vacation as I do not see her at the box. Is this normal and will she return to sit on the 3 eggs?
Also neither she or the male has approached the mealworm feeder.
Thanks
The female won't start incubating until the clutch is complete, which means there's another egg or two yet to be laid.
Resin
A bit unusual, based on what the birds in my yard have done. But BBs can be unpredictable, to say the least. Mine have always laid four or five eggs and have never skipped a day. Seems you should be seeing one of the pair, at least. Once she lays an egg, she is bonded to that nestbox and would fight to keep it. Incidentally, my female laid her second egg today. This is the third nesting in my nestbox this year.
As far as mealworms are concerned, they will love them once they find them. I started by putting a bowl with a few in it on the ground near the nest box, and gradually moved it up onto the deck where I could get better pictures of them. I change feeders often so I can get a different look in my pictures and the BBs can spot the mealies no matter where they are.
BTW, in what part of Stafford are you living? I live in the southern part of the county.
Dave
Thanks for the responses. Dave, I am in the northwest portion of the county in the Rock Hill Baptist Church area off of 610. We are about a mile from the church.
Dave
I noticed this morning and afternoon that the male and female bluebirds were frequenting the box. The female does not stay inside very long so I don't think she is incubating yet. I am going to wait a few days before I look in the box again to see whether there are more eggs or if she is indeed sitting on the eggs.
A new twist - I looked in today so see how the nest came through the torrential rain that we had last night and to my surprize - only 2 eggs are in the nest. They look new. Could I have a new pair of BB's? Would they have removed the other 3 eggs?
