3rd Clutch In Texas Heat Was A Success

Only one hatched out of 4. The mother bluebird vanished and dad bluebird took over raising the lone baby. He did a great job. The baby survived several days of 100+ degree days with the heat shields and the mister set up on it. This year we had 7 of 14 hatch and all 7 fledged. Not a bad year. Good work bluebirds. 

Toes out and ready to go. 

Dad Blue in the background watching over his baby. 

3rd Batch Of Bluebirds In Texas Calls For The Super Heat Shield

Momma Bluebird decided to go for a third batch and layed egg number one today. It is June in Texas which means it will be getting hot so I had to step up the original heat shield. After researching the Bluebird Nut Cafe archives we decided that styrofoam could be the best solution to this heat problem. We zip tied the shields to the current, thin shields. Hopefully the styrofoam will hold up well and that the doldrums of summer can hold off for a little while longer. 

Success! First successful bluebird fledging.

Four out of Five eggs hatch.

Day 2 after hatching. One baby was removed. After some research the most likely conclusion was that the baby had died and mother blue removed it. 

Day 18 - Looking both ways before heading out

This little one was in the top of the tree in the front yard before dad blue went and coaxed the baby to fly over the house and into the tree line (green belt)  behind the house. It was very windy and these blues were doing great and clinging on tight. What a treat to be able to witness this.

A final nest check. No sign of the unhatched egg. Mom Blue was a very good housekeeper. Time to clean out the nest box again and see if we can do it all again. 

Bluebird Nest Build 2014

They're back! This year I believe I am ready. The baffle is up, it is away from the fence and I have a sparrow spooked ready to go up as soon as the first egg is laid. My RWS is dialed in and ready for any house sparrows. I love this time of the year.