Expert: Bluebird Bob Walshaw - 8/5/2011

Question
All winter we  had a pair of blue bids.When spring came we would see anywhere from 8 to 10 blue birds at a time.I know one set had a litter i could here the babies when mom and dad would come back with there food. But in the last week i have not seen one blue bird.What do you think has happen.

Answer
This is normal for this time of year as it is the end of the nesting season. I assume that when you said that you could hear the babies that you had a Bluebird box. These should be opened every week so you know when the babies hatch and when they are expected to fledge (leave the box)just 19 day after hatching. After the babies leave the box (they never go back - the box should then be scraped out with a putty knife)the adults take them to the woods or some secluded place for a couple of weeks for some training and to reduce the chances of predators getting them.

If you will send your mailing address to me at walshaw1@cox.net I will send you my free 20 page Bluebird book which will make you an expert. Your address will be used only to mail the book. Good luck! Bluebird Bob.