Today I heard a bluebird and then spotted a pair in a tree. It was a treat to see them after two years of not nesting at my place. Hopefully there is an empty birdhouse that the wrens and tree swallows (or mice) haven’t taken over so the bluebirds can raise their second batch of the season and stick around as I love hearing and seeing them.
Hopefully Back
I have made numerous bluebird houses over the years and have enjoyed the sights and sounds of the blue colored birds so it was a disappointment not having any bluebirds around last year other than a brief sighting of a pair at my family’s farm. This year appeared to be the same without the normal spring arrival time of the bluebirds and past the normal first nesting period, so I was surprised to hear a bluebird this evening in my backyard. Although I didn’t see the bird so I don’t know if it was like this less colorful female or a blue male, but hopefully it is a pair that will stay for the summer.
Hopefully a Bluebird Stays
So far this spring the bluebirds seem to be down in numbers as I have only seen a few this year. Hopefully more have returned but I just haven’t noticed them. Some years I would see them in the apple tree blossoms, which make a pretty backdrop.
Bluebird in Apple Blossoms
Today was 30 degrees colder than yesterday so it didn’t feel very warm outside especially with the wind blowing, but hopefully later in the week will be warmer so I can get the bird houses cleaned up before the bluebirds return. The female is checking up on the male bluebird to see if he is picking out a good house for her.
House Hunting
I was down by my pond today straightening the wood duck box poles (now that the frost is finally out of the ground) and spotted a few tiny fish swimming in the water. I also heard a bluebird so another bird has returned from the south so another sign of spring even if no wildflowers yet.
Bluebird Returns
Four years ago on this date, bluebirds returned even though there was still snow on the ground. I haven’t spotted any yet this spring (maybe because the recent snows) but with the south wind today, they might blow in soon.
Waiting for Bluebirds
Yesterday I saw a flock of bluebirds and heard them singing in the sunshine. They might have to snuggle together in a birdhouse if it drops down to 22 tonight. It is nice to see a sign of summer hanging on, but I think they should head south before the next snow arrives.
Bluebird Hanging Around
I interrupted a pair of bluebirds while I was taking apple blossom pictures when I got too close to the birdhouse where they were feeding their young. But the splash of blue color looked pretty among the white and pink blossoms and new green leaves while they waited for me to leave the area.
Bluebirds Amidst the Blossoms
Monday brings another start of a work week but the male Eastern Bluebird has his work done building a nest for his new family already. He brings a couple pieces of building material to the nesting box and goes in and out and fluttering his wings and catches the eye of a female to his nesting site. After that the female does all the work, building the nest with grasses and pine needles. I noticed the male would inspect her progress every once in a while and she would have to push him in the butt when he was blocking the hole while she was making her numerous trips for material. He even dropped a pine needle back outside after he went inside once and I wondered if he got scolded for messing up her work.
Male Bluebird Inspector
Hint of spring is in the air, at least the singing of returning birds can be heard, like the red-winged blackbirds, killdeers, robins and the sweet sound of the Eastern Bluebird.
Soon, when the female bluebirds arrive, the male will put on a display at the nesting boxes. He will bring nesting materials, usually dry grass, into the nest and then perches on top waving his wings. And that is about his only contribution to the nest building as the female does the nest building and incubating the eggs. But I have seen the female reject the male’s nest choice and he has to go house hunting some more.
Return of the Bluebirds
