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. 

The First Egg This Spring

This morning started early for the blues and I caught a quick glimpse her flying out.

We immediately put up the "Sparrow Spooker" (which I thought was already ready but was missing a few key parts which I rushed to put together). I was worried how the blues would react to the spooked but within 5 minutes the female landed and went right in. The male, however, wasn't sure about the spooker and attacked and pulled at the streamers. It was pretty funny and it was also pretty nice to see how aggressive this male is.  

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.

Bluebird Baby Feeding Time

Feeding time. You can hear the babies going nuts for food when the parents enter the nest box.

Bluebird Watch - The Backyard Drama Continues

The other day the bluebirds were suddenly absent. A quick look in the box revealed ANTS! I went into action mode, grabbed the drill took off the top and the front and began smashing and sweeping out all the ants from the bird house. I ended up pulling the nest out of the house and smashing the ants that were hiding under the nest. Gently, I removed each egg (they are unbelievably light and by this point I was sweating bullets) and removed the ants from the eggs. The eggs were still intact and in great condition, no cracks. Whew! When I was satisfied that I had destroyed as many ants as I could I put the nest back with the eggs neatly arranged, put the top and the front back on. Then I dusted the base of the pole with Bayor Ant Killer. I went around the corner of the house to put the ant killer back into the cabinet and when I returned to the backyard (literally within a minute) the bluebirds were standing on their house. She flew into the house and rearranged the eggs and the nest. 

We are still waiting for the eggs to hatch. Our fingers are crossed. 

Bluebirds - The Second Build

A few weeks ago the female bluebird vanished after a few days of building. The male sang and sang and did his "look at this great place I have found for you to build your nest" dance. I figured something got her (and something might have and he has attracted another mate) or she just didn't like something about the spot. Then I got a phone call from Jen. "Your bluebirds are back, both of them and they are building again. I was so happy and laughed at how sappy I have gotten over these birds and how worried I became after I stopped seeing them outside around the house. 

Well they are back and at it again. This female carries huge bunches of grasses and branches into the nest box. During one of her trips she crossed paths with a squirrel and dropped what she was carrying to beat the squirrel, with the help of the male. They made this awesome "click click click" sound and dive bombed the squirrel until it retreated into the trees. Several other birds met the same treatment when they landed too close to the nest box. It was a pretty entertaining day in the back yard. 

Tater was not impressed. 

Bluebirds Building Their Nest

This morning over coffee, Jen and I watched these two build their nest. We must have sat out there forever and I am sure the neighbors were wondering what we were watching. It was a perfect way to start the day.

For more bluebird information check out:


http://www.sialis.org

http://www.texasbluebirdsociety.org

Bluebirds (choosing a nesting site)

Bluebird sitting on Jen's hanging strawberries.

If you look real close you can see the girl looking out of the house.

Then they took off. I hope they liked the house tour. It was pretty neat watching them this morning.

For more bluebird information check out:

http://www.sialis.org

http://www.texasbluebirdsociety.org