Meet Dave

Hi Dave,
I’ve enjoyed reading about your bluebirds. I have a bluebird house too and have been thrilled each time there’s a new family. I was amazed that one ate out of your hand! That is so awesome.

I’m wondering if you have a birdbath? I read some time ago that you can attract even more birds with water than food. I have a birdbath in the front yard and on the back deck and they really do attract a lot of different birds. It’s the movement of water they like so I was sure to buy one that has a little fountain in the middle.

Love the blog.
Fran

Fran, sorry for the delay in getting back to you…we do not have a bird bath, but I’ve recently been considering adding one. So, your comment may be very timely! We do have a very slow creek behind our house but nothing that would be attractive because of its movement. Maybe we will get one…if so, it’ll definitely show up in the pictures!

Thanks for your encouragement on the blog, too!

Dave,
We are just beginning to develop an interest in the birds that we have been so wonderfully blessed with and that our wonderful son-in-law has so fondly brought to our attention. We are enjoying your blog…keep up the good work! By the way you have a “neat” son there too!!

Joyce and Vic, very kind of you to say so! Welcome to the fun of birdwatching and blogging. :-)

Hi Dave,

We live in Georgia and had our first experience with bluebirds. As we started to read up on them, we had no idea about the threat with house sparrows and those awful blowflys. We’re very excited to be involved now and enjoyed reading your blog. We will definitely start monitoring them now, and realize we need to buy a birdhouse we can open. I saw one egg in the nest, but there doesn’t seem to be any activity. The house we have now doesn’t open and I want to replace it, but I’m scared to get rid of it just yet. Do you think that it’s late enough in the season that they stopped nesting?
Thanks, Dave & Cheryl

Cheryl, hello! Bluebirds can nest into August, so it’s not too late to have an egg in your nestbox. Still, if you aren’t seeing any activity from the mama bluebird, and the egg is by itself, you may have a “dead” egg. Eastern bluebirds usually lay one egg a day for 3-5 days, and most often it’s five eggs. A solo egg, not being tended regularly, doesn’t bode well. Hot weather, which you have surely had, can also cause problems for egg hatching. Bottom line, I’d wait and see for a few more days, just to be sure.

Also, the sialis web site is a wealth of great information. Thanks for writing!
http://www.sialis.org/basics.htm

Hi Dave. I was inspired by your blog. I too have loved nature and birds my whole life. I am 46 years old and have been told by my doc that I have to get serious about my cholesterol and weight. So I stopped smoking a year ago and started walking. This is when I remembered how much fun it was to watch and identify birds. Recently I saw a wood stork and at first didn’t know what it was and jumped on the net to figure it out. I was so excited. Anyway, I am a data analyst by trade, but not much of an internet nerd. So I saw your site and said this is what I will do. It is so hard to exercise like you should so I think I will attack it from a differnent angle. Can I meet my health goals doing something I enjoy? I created my first blog, http://craigglenn.blogspot.com/ . It really stinks compared to yours! But I will learn. Just wanted to thank you for your site and I will visit it often for inspiration! Good luck and well wishes.
Craig Glenn
Orlando Fl

Hey Dave, this is a very nice blog you have here and I have only seen the one page I discovered while visiting Tina’s Bird Yarns via Camera Critters Meme. You have some excellent bird photos. I, like you, am hoping to get some better camera equipment for bird photography in the near future.

I am a HUGE bluebird lover (among all other species of song bird) and also highly recommend Bet’s site http://www.Sialis.org for all bluebird info. I am also the Shasta County coordinator for the California Bluebird Recovery Program (CBRP) where we monitor bluebird trails and try to bring back this beautiful bird from its decline.

There is so much to do and so little time. Here is a post I wrote on water fountains: http://www.thebirdersreport.com/birding-supplies/bird-baths-and-fountains/waterfalls-ponds-and-fountains-birds-cant-resist-moving-water .

You just gotta put in some kind of water if you haven’t done it yet. You will be amazed at all the wildlife you will have show up at your doorstep!

Happy birding to you and your lovely family! I will be back to roam your blog some more.

Hello Dave,

I am very excited to find your bird blog and my husband will be visiting this I’m sure to compare sightings.

In desperate search of an answer. Today, I saw a bright green smallish bird at our bird feeder. I could believe that is an escaped parakeet, but it doesn’t have the black and white feathers down the back, just greyish and white markings on the wing. Based on a drawing, I thought it could be a female painted bunting, but an actual photo of the bird (in another book) made me think it wasn’t. Could it be a hybrid? We live in northern virginia, it was very rainy today, and the temperature hovered in the high 30s. I’ll be sad if my backyard beauty is a lost parakeet, soon to be very sad and cold.

Thank you!

Stephanie, wow, that’s a tough question without seeing it myself. I’d love to see a picture if you have one to send (dheiser@wncn.com). Try not to worry about the birds in the cold, though. It’s a myth that they can’t handle it. Thanks for the visit!

Hi Dave!
I enjoy reading your comments and others. Two days ago two Canada geese (think they are per your pictures) landed on our pond. They stayed all day and they were just beautiful. What a thrill I had watching them. I took pictures (I don’t know how to include a picture with this comment). I live in Denham Springs, Louisiana, just outside Baton Rouge. I also have lots of bluebirds and two or three nesting boxes. I loved to look at your bird blog. Thanks!

Love your pictures and fabulous fun comments. The Florida bird photos are of particular interest as we winter near Naples Fl. You take great shots! Thanks for sharing your talents and time with all of us. When do we get pictures of both of your boys? I love reading your blog.Ann

Hi, Ann! Sigh…don’t even get me started on southwest Florida! Absolutely gorgeous! By chance have you ever had a Rhodes key lime pie down there? If you’re ever out on Captiva, you have to go to this little restaurant called Bubble Room. They have this AMAZING orange crunch cake there…trust me! ;-)

By the way, I do have pics on the blog of both boys! Just go back to the home page and scroll down a little farther. There’s some under the entry called, “More birds in the snow” from January 28. Also the “Wintry waxwings and snowy bluebirds” one from January 26. I’ll post some fresh pictures soon, though…hopefully this week. Thanks for visiting! :-)

We are twins boys age 12 and we live in daytona beach florida and always have little house wrens that nest in the backyard porch hanging baskets..once in a motorcycle helmet too. I LOVE BIRDS AND HAVE A QUAKER PARROTT THAT TALKS AND SINGS TO THE WILD BIRDS~~~his name is rascal. I also have big dogs but the birds come to our yard anyways and we have lots of huge oak trees here..

What can we place for the wrens to eat at the nest ?? worms?? i know not to touch the food , i’ll use gloves but why do they nest here instead of the tall trees? are they afraid of the many hawks around and feel safer under the porch roof?

thanks dave!! brock and luke

Brock and Luke, thanks for writing in guys! Rascal sounds like a fun name for your talking parrot. I’m not super familiar with house wrens (we have more of the Carolina wrens here), but I think that’s just where they like to nest…in and around houses, especially “cavities” like plants or even helmets! They do like being close to bushes or low trees for cover. We had one try to nest in our bluebird box, but the male bluebird almost killed it. FYI, house wrens, though cute, will destroy bluebird eggs and nestlings. If you still want to encourage them, try feeding them mealworms and leaving some around the nests…they’ll love you!

i am feeding the female i fed her catapillars tonight and worms and wood roaches and she ate them up…i fed her with my fingers! i haven’t seen the male yet but a red cardinal was around the nest a can post a picture soon of the cute bird..she likes to look at me and is not afraid. rascal calls all the birds in the backyard he copies their sounds ..brock i will try to post a picture

Hi Dave,
Was looking at the Cary News this morning and saw your letter, so jumped on the computer to see the blog. Neat pics of the bluebirds! We saw bluebirds in our yard and neighborhood this year for the first time. In fact, the first time we saw them was when we were walking in the snow! It is exciting to see them. I have put your blog in my favorites…love to see the pics of the boys, too.

Hi, Sally! That’s really neat that you found the letter in there this morning. Just last night I was wondering aloud to Nicole if anyone would see it. How fun that a special friend did! We really enjoyed re-connecting with you the other weekend at CLH. :-)

Look at Norfolk Eagle cam Set up. Think you will like.
Peg

Peggy, wow! Baby bald eagles! Thanks I hadn’t checked it in a week or so. :-)

Hi Dave
I am new to birdwatching. I live in Raleigh and work from home most days. My husband and I bought a hummingbird feeder last year and had a lot of fun watching them feed. For Christmas, we asked for a birdfeed and have noticed a lot of birds feeding recently. My great-aunt as an avid birdwatcher and I have found her Field Guide to the Birds that she marked throughout the years. I have started marking the book too and putting my initals next to it with the dates. We get a lot of chipping sparrows, which I understand are common. Today we had at least 10 eating under the bird feeder on the ground. I also saw a common finch. I believe I saw a bluebird last week too. I am kind of slow at identifying birds, but I think your blog will be helpful because the birds you see are ones we might also see.

Hi Dave, the wife and I love to feed Finch Birds, and Humming birds. This is our first try in Ft. Myers, Florida. We have the feeders up, and thisle for the finch, and sugar water for the Humming birds. What I want to know is when is the season for them in our area ?

Thank you , Bob

We have 5 eggs this time. How long before they hatch?

Hi Dave! Love your blog! Hope you don’t mind, I’m looking for some advice. I have an old bluebird house I haven’t taken care of for about 3 years. (I know, I’m ashamed!) Even though I haven’t cleaned out the house, from time to time some type of Wren would nest in there. I hadn’t seen any around this year and saw the box was extremely full and had some ants going inside. When I sprayed the outside with some ant spray, a bird came flying out! I don’t know if there are eggs or babies in there because I can’t open it without crushing them. Do I leave it alone and hope the ants don’t attack the babies that might be in there? I have a weak stomach for this kind of stuff. Is there someone that makes bird “house” calls? :o)

Thanks so much!
Karen

Christy, thanks for writing in and joining the fun. Glad to have you along! :-)

Bob, Ft Myers Florida is where my parents spend the winter! I LOVE that place! Are you in Palmetto Palms, too? Your season for hummingbirds is hard to say… looks like they only have typical range as far south as central Florida. Some species do winter there (October to April) or pass through on migrations. Check these sites for more info:

http://www.tropicalaudubon.org/bird_feeding.html
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/UW059
http://www.hummingbirds.net/map.html
http://www.birdforum.net/showthread.php?t=41907
http://www.rubythroat.org/RTHURangeMap1big.html
http://www.floridaplants.com/landscape/birds.htm

House finches: http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/document_uw298
Goldfinches: http://www.american-goldfinch.com/distribution.php

Hope this helps!

Chris, that depends on how long they’ve been there of course. :-) Eastern bluebirds will lay eggs one day at a time (typically) before they start sitting on them and incubating. Once that happens, it’s 12-15 days. They usually will all hatch within a day of each other.

Karen, thanks! I’d leave it alone and see if the birds have survived the ant spraying first. If the mama keeps coming back and feeding, you know you’re okay. The Sialis site http://sialis.org/index.html suggests dipping Q-tips in an ant repellant called Terro (get it at Wal-Mart or Ace Hardware, maybe even HD or Lowe’s) and stapling them to the outside bottom of the box and taping a few to the pole. This will attract tons of ants at first but then kills them off in a day or two. Also, making a small moat fitted around the bottom of the mounting pole may work. Sialis suggests a “Bundt” style baking pan that fits down over the pole filled with water. Then after the babies fledge, ditch the old nest!

Thanks so much for the advice, Dave! The moat is a great idea! If there are even babies or eggs, I don’t think any of the bug spray got on them. I had just started spraying the back and don’t think any got inside. I’m guessing just the sound scared the mama bird…but I checked the last few days and she is still in there and flies out when I come nearby. I’m thinking she may be sitting on the eggs because it’s very quiet in there.

I will check out the Sialis website as well.

Thanks again!
Karen

Hi Dave,
How are you ? I am fine , My niethbor asking me about bluejay’s eggs what is color is it ? I say I can’t know what is color eggs for bluejay. .
Lisa

Bluebirds hatched 2 days later parents are not around checked nest 4 babies were all dead but no visible physical damage

what do you think scared them away? please help
thanks Karen

Lisa, eggs for blue jays are bluish or light brown with brownish spots. Also can be white with brown spots. Here’s a link to a picture:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/naturegirl7/3401226049/in/pool-nestwatchers

Karen, very sorry to hear about your dead hatchlings…it’s so hard to say exactly what may have caused it. What part of the country are you in? It could be heat or cold, if either was extreme. Could have been the ants also. Check here for more ideas:

http://sialis.org/predatorid.htm

Thank you, Dave.

I live in Rochester, New York. If we have a cat, would that scare the parents away? We have always had this cat and have previously had babies. One season we had 3 sets.

Regarding ants, I read in an old Birds and Blooms magazine to sprinkle ginger to repell ants. I’ve never tried it, but it would seem like a safe alternative.

Karen, definitely could be the cat. Maybe the cat already got the parents and left no signs of his meal. That would explain the dead (but unharmed) bluebirds in the nest. They could have just died of neglect/starvation if the parents had been killed by the cat. Again, very sorry for you.

Lexi, thanks! Sounds like it should work. We actually have some ants right now around the nest, so I may try it out!

I’m new here and not sure if I’m supposed to respond to other peoples posts, so please let me know if I’ve violated a rule of some sort.

I am a member of Virginia Bluebird Society and currently monitor about 15 Bluebird houses. Five of my own and 10 in a trail started in a local cemetery. There is a lot I don’t know and I’m always looking to learn. I’m so glad I found this blog.

In response to Karen’s post….I would say if you sprayed the outside of the box with ant spray, that most likely killed the babies. Chicks just a few days old are extremely sensitive. I would acutally replace the box, since some sprays work for up to 3 months. Even if you spray your yard for bugs….this sometimes result in death when bluebirds are grabbing insects from your yard and feeding babies. The best solution is to take the house down and brush all the ants out. Remedy how they are getting to the nest.

Lexi, you are absolutely welcome to respond, and we can all definitely learn from your experience. Thanks for the insight and warning. :-)

Dave, I hope you can help me figure out a situation that has me stumped. I have a carolina wren who has made a nest in a small tree in my back yard. She has been sitting on eggs for at least a week and a half. Her eggs should be white and brown speckled. Instead it looks like they are Bluebird eggs. They are deep aqua-blue-green eggs. She is on them almost round the clock and her mate is not far away. Do you have any idea what could explain this?

Rachel, you do hear from time to time of a bird “adopting” someone else’s eggs OR of a bird laying eggs in someone else’s nest and leaving. It’s also possible the eggs have been stolen from a bluebird, though that would take a larger bird than a wren. Hard to say, but it’s worth watching to see if something hatches! Could be very interesting to see who develops…wrens or bluebirds!

They also could be robin eggs…check the link below.

http://sialis.org/blueeggs.htm

Thanks Dave. I know a nest in a tree is more than likely a robin. Two things brought me to the Bluebird conclusion. I have seen so many bluebirds in my yard. I know it’s rare but I have not had any Robins. Also the eggs are darker than what I think the Robins would be. Correct me if I’m wrong. I am just beginning to learn. I first saw the eggs and researched them. Than I saw the bird and researched her. To my surprise nothing matched or made sense. My yard is very different from the norm. It’s a wooded lot with barely any grass. I have a waterfall creek that spills into a pond. I fill the area with my tropical plants and its fenced in. I get large variety of small birds. Whats funny is the bigger birds like, Cardinals pirch high and look down yet never come in. It’s almost like they know it a small bird only society. I am going to take pictures tonight of her and the eggs. Thanks for helping me.

Ok Dave, I feel so silly. Like I said I’m still learning. I decided to do more research and found that I was wrong. Mystery solved. I do not have a carolina wren. I have a wood thrush. That explains the blue eggs. Anyway, the eggs should hatch any day now. That also explains the beautiful music I get to hear all of the time. Thanks again!

Hello Dave! We are new to hosting bluebirds. We put up our nest box in March. After a couple of months we had a bluebird pair move in. They had four nestlings. We are on day 21. It’s been so much fun watching them. I’ve been considering mealworms to feed to my bluebirds. Do they have to be live? There is a farm store down the road from me that sells mealworms but they are not live. Thanks so much and I’m really enjoying your blog!

Kristen, thanks! Nope, they don’t have to be alive, but you might find that your bluebirds aren’t as interested in the dead kind. If they’ll eat dead mealworms, great, but if not, upgrade to the live ones. :-)

Thank you Dave! We’ll give the non-live :) ones a try and see if we are successful. It was very exciting having our first pair of bluebirds! I can’t wait for next year!

Hi Dave.
as we say around my house,”what’s up? Haven’t reported in since I got out of school for the summer. I see the blog is really blogging. ha. I would make a smiley face, but forgot how. Anyway, the last time I emailed ya, I had the problem with the ants. Plus, I must have lost the dad. By the time I realized what the prob was, mama would not come back anymore. So, I tried to keep the eggs, they were so close to hatching. I was just sick that I had lost another brood. Now I have had some vistors the last few days, but they seem to not be hanging around. I think that I am going to get me a new box. I have had that one for some time now.

Listen to this. I found a baby bird out near the street. It had fallen out of his nest from a telephone pole. Can you believe it surrived. It landed in some grass. I found it with a cat sitting beside it. How this little one made it I dont know. But I rescued it of course. NOw I am feeding it dogfood, boiled eggs and worms. I tried putting it in a nest in a basket and hanging it near the pole. The mother came, but did not stay. So I am still feeding it. It’s been 3 days now. Later Dave

Sis, sounds like a fun adventure! Wonder what the cat was doing just sitting there by the bird. Oh well…snooze, you lose, silly cat! Please let me know what happens. :-)

Dave,
Glad I found your blog and maybe you can help me with my Bluebirds. I have had several families in the past where I used to live, in Powell Tennessee. I started with help of a man from Brevard N. C. I am an Asheville native, living in Tennessee now more years than in N.C. I moved to Clinton Tenn. 5 years ago and just now got started with my Bluebirds here and was so delighted to get my first family. The 5 eggs hatched and I cleaned the box and got it ready for another family. It took about 2 weeks and I saw the BB’s back there and they started another nest but it is not finished and for a week now I have not seen any activity. What should I do? Thanks for your input.

Beth, hi! If they’ve started another nest, definitely leave it alone and see what happens. Unless something has scared them off, they should do another round of eggs before August comes. :-)

Hey Dave, I need help!!! I’ve got a nestling 14 days old. the only one left of 4.what can I do to help this one survive? What do i feed it,can i raise it for a pet? please tell me what to do!!

Dale, sorry for the delay, we just got back from vacation. I’m betting it’s flown off by now…was it a bluebird nestling?

Hi Dave! So glad that you had pictures of the fledging bluebirds. We saw these strange little creatures in our back yard today and I suspected they might be the babies, but even with my Audubon book I wasn’t for sure until I got to your site.
What fun to have discovered your site! Thanks! I will be returning often to see what else you’ve got here.

Thanks, Denise!

Love the pics of your children and the BB. I am a purple martin landlord and get I my 5 year old to help with nest checks. Please stop by my blog sometime and check us out. http://mypurplemartinblog.com

Unfortunately we don’t get any BB this far south. (west palm beach)
If you ever want to put up a purple martin house, let me know!
http://purplemartins-r-us.com

Hi Dave: I just wanted to say that I subscribe to your blog and really enjoy all the pictures. I also live in North Carolina and blog about my beloved backyard birds too, although I don’t have quite so many posts as you. : )

http://aliciaweller.com/category/nature/birds/

Hi Dave! I wrote you this summer when we had our first pair of bluebirds. The babies have all flown away and the house has been empty since. Except for the wren that filled it with sticks. We emptied that out of course. Then, lo and behold, I noticed some activity at the house and there was a male and female bluebird! I’m confused as to what this means. Are they planning on staying for the winter perhaps? They look like they are doing some house cleaning. Should we help with that or let them do it themselves? I’ve seen them removing some debris from inside. I’m not sure what’s in there. Thanks Dave!!

Hi Dave!! You are a wonderful photographer!!

Some new developments. We haven’t seen the bluebirds for a while but I just noticed a female cardinal poking her head out of the bluebird house! I’m not sure what this means but I will continue to monitor the goings on at the bluebird house. :)

Kristen, sorry to have totally missed your first comment earlier this month…same for us on the bluebirds. Just like last year, our bluebirds went away for part of the early fall and then returned around leaf changing time. I have just seen them again here in the last two weeks, but only up in the treetops and on our house corners. We had a brown-headed nuthatch pair explore the house for a couple days, but they moved on pretty quickly. I’d definitely empty your nestbox and clean it out if you haven’t done so already. The bluebirds might roost there over the winter…very interesting that you have a cardinal in there now!

Hello again! I just looked outside and saw 6, yes 6, bluebirds sitting on the wire near the house. We had 4 babies last year so I wonder if it’s them and the parents?! They were checking out the house but never went inside. After they left I went out and checked it to make sure it was clear of sticks and other debris and it is. I wonder why they didn’t go in? I don’t think all 6 could fit inside. How many typically roost in a house at once, do you know? I’m just very excited to see them again!

Hi Dave, I thought this website might be of interest to you. It a site put together by a very nice couple who has partnered with the National Wildlife Federation to increase bird sanctuary space in backyards. I love the idea!
http://www.mybirdscape.com/

BTW, I love your blog! It’s very helpful for beginners like me!

Hello hope you keep up the good work. as the birdhouse organizer for our own Western bluebird here in calif. I hope you have a successful season. I’ll share more details later.

Hi Dave,
I put my first bluebird box up in early march. my birding retailer said i may or may not, but i do have a pair. they booted out chickadees that started a nest first :( but i am thrilled that they are here. i have been putting out about 15 mealworms in the morning and afternoon, in a small glass feeder, about 10 ft from the box. here’s my dilema: i have a privacy fence going up next week which i am told will only take two days to complete. will they come back?
any input you can offer would be GREATLY appreciated:)
blessings,
kim johnson

Some bluebirds nested in a birdhouse on my deck. There are about 5 eggs in there. I don’t want to scare the parents off and haven’t really been using my deck, but sometimes I have to go out there to water my plants. Will they be okay with me being out there? I don’t want them to abandon the nest. They can see us moving around in the house from their post. I have 2 different bird families on my deck this year for the first time. I only put those bird house out there for decoration! I love birds, but I also love to sit on my deck.

Sherryl, you are in for a front row treat! As long as you’re relatively calm and quiet out on the deck, you shouldn’t run the bluebirds off at all. Sit out there with a book, a cup of coffee, and try to be fairly still. Not only will they get used to you, but you’ll see the whole show over the next few weeks. Give them as much room as possible, but enjoy…what a gift! Put a bowl of live mealworms at your feet, and eventually they’ll hop right over to you!

Hello Dave.
We had three Bluebirds leave the nest, I presume with Mom And Dad. There is one bird left. He has been by himself for at least 4 days. This bird is now about 27 days old. He was born May 16 or 17. Is this normal? Could there be something wrong? The nest is really smooched down and he is by himself. I always thought Eastern Blueirds left the nest within hours of each other.?
thanks,
Ray

what a delightful site…we have been watching our bird houses for about 5 yrs here in weeki wachee fl..it was so great to find your site & to get info on bluebirds..our neighbors even watch the process of new birdbirds..so fun to watch mommy & daddy bluebird bath in our birdbaths & watch the short courting between family labors…

Dave, have you been to Howell Woods in Johnston County for some birdwatching? They are part of the NC Birding Trail, and we would love to invite you down if you haven’t been. The site will have a Howell Woodstock event in November on the 13th which is filled with fun outdoor activities for the whole family. Love to have you promote the this wonderful “outdoor” classroom.

Dave,

We just moved into a new home. It seems that our backyard and the field behind it is a great place for bluebirds. We have lots and we love them. Unfortunately, they also love to perch on the rails of our deck. Apparently it is an ideal place for them to poop. It is a big problem. If we put an owl on our deck will it chase them away from the area or just our deck? Can you think of any other solution?

thanks,

Scott

I have a favor to ask. I am making a calendar with pics of birds as a gift to a birdwatching friend. I had downloaded free pics of birds off bing.com, but then I found your blog. I would love to use some of your pics of real birds you took pics of….of course on each calendar page I would put your name and your blog URL. This is not something to sell….the recipient is somebody I have no idea what to give her, but I know she loves birds and everybody can use a calendar. Please let me know.

Nice blog! Is your theme custom made or did you download it from somewhere? A design like yours with a few simple adjustements would really make my blog shine. Please let me know where you got your theme. Cheers

Hi–I’m developing an on-line course for licensed wildlife rehabilitators for the International Wildlife Rehabilitation Association. The subject is reuniting nestling and fledgling birds with their parents (instead of raising them in rehabilitation centers).
I’d like to have permission to use to use two of your photos of Killdeer nest and young. I will be happy to give you credit on the photographs. Please let me know if I have permission to use the photos, and how you would like the photo credit to read. Thanks so much.
Anne G. Miller,
Birmingham, Alabama
amiller_1@bellsouth.net

My bluebirds are back She laid 5 eggs then dad was missing so she wasn’t staying on the eggs. Then a male showed up 2 weeks later he isn’t around constanting there is a robin who is always near the house. Mom still around what will happen to the eggs if she doesn’t stay on the eggs

I have a Wrens nest in a hanging basket on my porch and the nest had around 4 to 5 babies in it. I watched the mama and daddy bird make the nest and have watched it ever since then, that was about 5 weeks ago. Just this morning I took the basket down and showed my daughter the babies, ans now (4 hours later) they are gone. Nothing in the nest, nothing at all. No feathers, nothing. The basket cannot be touched by a cat or dog. My question is, please tell me the mama bird saw me and moved her babies???

Just a quick note – we did not touch the babies, we just looked at them.

Hey Dave,

Im not sure if you still use this blog, but I found you on google. There was a tornado recently that tore down this tree in my front yard, and the bluebird nest was destroyed along with it, but there was one egg that survived, and I thought I would keep it and see if it would hatch, or if its still alive. So i carefully picked it up and placed it in a warm open top box filled with parts of its destroyed nest and etc. I’m not entirely sure if its an actual bluebird, but judging from what I researched, the egg is most likely a bluebird egg. I was wondering what it would need for me to help raise it and take care of it. I’m sure its gonna need me to hand feed it worms, insects and maybe bird feed when it gets older? and I’m sure I would have to mashup the worms as if it were regurgitated by its mother, but is there any advice you could give me?

Thank you,

June W.

Can you tell me anything about the orange and purple moth you pictured in your blog on 8/9/09? We found it in a Google search, and I’m asking because we had one on our lamp post, in PA, and I see you’re in North Carolina. We had never seen anything like it here, and I took a picture of it to see if we could find out more about it. I’m just a nature person, and am curious. In our picture, the fuzzy head seems to have an ape face in the furry stuff, really; I can send you the picture, it is unique! Thanks for any help you can give me!

I’ve been watching a pair of bbrds nesting in my bakyard they have 4 eggs in the house. A cat has killed the female. How do I save the eggs,or will the male take care of them?