Our wait for bluebird chicks continues. Mrs. Bluebird spent most of her day sitting on her eggs. Today was the first day we could have expected the eggs to hatch. 

We’re looking inside a nesting box with the bluebirds in West Newbury, Vermont. The camera is permanently mounted in the box and we can watch without disturbing the birds. 

Mrs. Bluebird spent the day sitting on her eggs. The first day the might hatch is tomorrow, Sunday May 2. There’s a big window, they could take until the 10th. Stay tuned. 

We’re looking inside a nesting box with the bluebirds in West Newbury, Vermont. The camera is permanently mounted in the box and we can watch without disturbing the birds. 

Mrs. Bluebird continues babysitting her eggs, venturing out occasionally. Mr. Bluebird sat in the rain on our deck roof above the box for a time this morning. Sunday is the first day we can expect the eggs to hatch. 

We’re looking inside a nesting box with the bluebirds in West Newbury, Vermont. The camera is permanently mounted in the box and we can watch without disturbing the birds. 

Mrs. Bluebird spent her day tending her eggs, with a few trips out for food. I wonder if she gets bored just sitting, or does she link long thoughts?

We’re looking inside a nesting box with the bluebirds in West Newbury, Vermont. The camera is permanently mounted in the box and we can watch without disturbing the birds. 

Not much news from our bluebirds today. Mrs. continues to sit on her eggs, popping out occasionally to find some food. 

We’re looking inside a nesting box with the bluebirds in West Newbury, Vermont. The camera is permanently mounted in the box and we can watch without disturbing the birds. 

We had a little extra excitement from our feathered friends this morning. My wife, Lee, found a robin that couldn’t fly. The robin is now under VINS’ care.

Mrs. Bluebird spent most of her day in her box tending her eggs. Here’s a short clip, where she deals with a shed feather. The eggs should hatch between May 2 and May 10. 

We’re looking inside a nesting box with the bluebirds in West Newbury, Vermont. The camera is permanently mounted in the box and we can watch without disturbing the birds. 

Mrs. Bluebird has definitely started incubating her four eggs. Thursday, she sat on them most of the morning before spending most of the afternoon out of the box. She stayed in the box Thursday night, sat on the eggs Friday and again spent the night. The book says it takes 11 to 19 days for the eggs to hatch. Let’s say she started Thursday, that means they should hatch sometime between May 2 and May 10. Here’s a good look at her sitting on her  eggs.  About 11:00, you can see her turn the eggs. All birds turn their eggs while incubating them. Theories as to why include, rotating the egg helps deliver albumen – the ‘white’ of the egg that is protein – to the chick – the ‘yolk’ and that turning the egg helps warm the egg evenly and and prevents the egg’s membrane from sticking to the shell. 

We’re looking inside a nesting box with the bluebirds in West Newbury, Vermont. The camera is permanently mounted in the box and we can watch without disturbing the birds. 

Mrs. Bluebird spent much of her morning sitting on the eggs, before heading out on her errands by about 11:00. No more eggs today. 

We’re looking inside a nesting box with the bluebirds in West Newbury, Vermont. The camera is permanently mounted in the box and we can watch without disturbing the birds. 

It has been a chilly rainy day today. We haven’t seen much action in any of the bird boxes yet today. 

Mrs. Bluebird stopped in for a few minutes early this afternoon. 

We’re looking inside a nesting box with the bluebirds in West Newbury, Vermont. The camera is permanently mounted in the box and we can watch without disturbing the birds.