An Unexpected Surprise...

For the past two weeks or so, I had been checking my nestboxes periodically--but mostly just their favorite and the new one that I saw a pair checking out.  On occasion, I would look in two others.  It seems to me, I only looked at the one in the far corner once (the path there had become overgrown last year). 

Today, I checked it out, and noticed what I thought was an old nest from last year that I forgot to clean out.  Looking inside and seeing some eggs still had me thinking that it was an unsuccessful clutch from last year, but, when I  put my phone in and took pictures, I realized the eggs were blue...and newly laid--the bluebirds are back!  :)

Seeing no nest-building over the past two weeks had me prepared for my first year without bluebirds.  I'm happy that does not seem to be the case.

Oriole at Nest

I got this shot of the female oriole as she and the father took turns feeding the babies.

Showing His Face

Since spotting their nest (--I'm still so thrilled that I did!), I've yet to see the male or female oriole.  However, while standing on the bank opposite it, I've heard a harsh, warning "clicking" sound which I've assumed is the male warning me to stay away from his nest--or warning the female that I'm around.  This morning, I went out to close the bluebird's nest box that I'd cleaned out yesterday and let dry...even though the tree where the nest is was in shade at the time, I decided to check it out--and heard the now familiar warning call.  This time, I was able to spot the male oriole in the tree checking out what I was doing a little too near his nest (but clearly out of reach from my perspective).

Here is the first shot of (hopefully) many more to come:

The Wait is Over

For the past couple of weeks, I've checked the now empty and cleaned nest box hoping to see the bluebirds building a second nest.  Two days ago, I noticed that they had begun a new nest.

It took them quite a while to start--but I guess they were busy with the "teenagers" (read fledglings).  Yesterday it rained all day long...not sure they felt much like building, but today I found a completed nest (but then again, they are earlier risers than I so maybe they completed it this morning).

I'm looking forward to witness them raising another brood.  I'm already thinking about adding yet another nest box (I added one earlier this spring after seeing four tree swallows and only one available box).  I know bluebirds need quite a distance between nest sites, but I think I have enough room to encourage another pair...assuming their numbers are increasing.  They should be. :)

New Life

Despite my silence, things are happening in the yard...some nature's doing...and some mine (but many projects of mine still remain undone).

It is hard for me to believe that the bluebird pair not only built a nest, but also laid eggs, fed the young, and fledged them...and I've yet to post about it.  Well today, that finally changes.

Trying to keep things in chronological order ended up causing me to delay some posts until I'd posted what happened earlier.  So, chronology be damned.  I'm finally posting SOMETHING so that I can give this blog some new life.

Speaking of new life, aside from the bluebirds, I watched robins go from eggs to fledging.  Currently there is a pair of chickadees with seven--count 'em--seven hatchlings...and two pairs of tree swallows with nests.  Unfortunately, I'm limited on pictures.  Some of the egg pictures didn't turn out well with my new cell phone, and others are "misplaced", but I'll share a few.  Hopefully, after this post, I'll get back to posting more regularly again.


Robins:

Bluebirds

 Chickadee:

Fingers Crossed

I left the bluebird box alone for a long while not wanting to even take a peek inside for fear the bluebird pair would not build a nest. Finally, I took a peek. Nothing. However the very next day, I looked again and found this:



~smile~

Here's hoping they have more success this time. I'm glad they are back.

Tree Swallow Nest with Eggs

Looks Promising

This morning I spotted the male bluebird flying from the ground up to the roof ridge of the barn. I'm so glad he is hanging around. Still no pics of him...however, after accomplishing various things in the yard, I went back out to stroll along the paths...that is when I noticed evidence of nest building:






I've yet to open the box, but it looks promising that the bluebirds will be raising their young here again. ~big smile~

Cleaning House

Actually, we did clean the house some today...and I'm cleaning the sunroom in hopes of getting an early start on the vegetable garden this year. However, this post is about cleaning out one of the bluebird boxes that, apparently, I forgot to do at the end of the season.

I found the old nest a couple of weeks ago when the temperatures were around minus 3 degrees Fahrenheit. I was a bit concerned about the bluebirds and know that they could all have huddled in one of the nestboxes to stay warm. When the temperatures rose again, I opened the boxes hoping not to find any that had frozen to death. That is when I spotted the old nest.

Today, I finally got out there with bleach mixed with warm water. I removed the old nest and disinfected the nestbox. After letting it air dry, I went back out to close it up. It is now ready for the new season. I'm hoping the blues return and maybe bring their offspring to nest in our yard this year as well. Perhaps I should get another box or two up.

Bluebird's Second Brood

Making Progress

I checked out the nestbox again today. The bluebird pair is making progress on their second nest. I'm so glad they came back!

I think I've read that sometimes the young birds from the first brood help their parents with feeding the new nestlings. I can't be sure that I didn't just make that up! ~smile~ ...but, I hope I'm right--it would be so cool to see them and know that they survived.

What I Spotted Today

While out documenting the bluebirds feeding, I spotted two other birds flying toward the blueberry bushes. I didn't get a good shot of them because I had to run back in to get the memory card. I never got close enough to identify them, but I did spot their small nest in the bush. That makes five different birds nesting in our yard; the bluebirds, robins, phoebes, tree swallows, and these new mystery birds.

It is possible that the nest may belong to a chipping sparrow...I saw one perched nearby. Also, near the hedgerow, I spotted another small bird. The body shape reminded me of a nuthatch but the coloring was wrong. Hopefully I'll spot it again and be able to identify it.