House Hunting 2018

After showing up at the end of February, I spotted the male bluebird today perched upon their favorite nestbox.  He could have been in the yard countless times between then and now without me having noticed.  He was a welcome sight on this gloomy day. :)

Early Return!

Today, my second day participating in the Great Backyard Bird Count, I strolled from the bay window over looking the back yard, in the the kitchen to view the side yard.  In the distance, I could see movement as the sun reflected from some light colored feathers.  I grabbed my camera.

After zooming in, it didn't take long for my excitement to grow.  I quickly realized that I was seeing a bluebird--then I realized there was a pair of them checking out the nestbox closest to the house.  We are fortunate enough to have had a pair of bluebirds here every year since I put up the first nestbox our first spring here (10 years ago).  This is not the box they usually choose, and it is too early to know if this is the one that they will use.  I am just thrilled to see them.

The funny thing was, it took me a couple of minutes to realize that I had to check the time and document them for the Great Back Yard Bird Count--maybe because they don't come to the feeders, it just didn't occur to me that these too are birds! ;)

Each year, I wonder how devastated I would be if they did not return and raise their young here.  Although we are experiencing several unusually warm days (40s and 50s--near 60 yesterday), we had an extended period of frigid weather earlier this year; I was afraid they wouldn't make it through.  So, today was an extremely pleasant surprise.  It has really felt like spring to me lately, today, even more so.  That said, the snow that is predicted for tonight has started falling outside the window beside my computer screen.

Bluebirds bring happiness...

 

Spring is in the Air

Despite the dusting of snow still on the ground in the shady areas when I got up, today felt a lot like spring to me--yesterday too.  I was outside both days.  I was actually happy for the snow, since I had planted some of my meadow seeds outside yesterday (more on that in another post), and I am hoping they will go through some more freezing and thawing (although the forecast has us in the 60s this week--and it is only early March).

I took a few shots of some birds that frequent our yard because of the frequent offerings of black oil sunflower seeds.  I was hoping the emerging pussy willow buds would add a sense of spring to the photos of the birds perched there.

These were the bird photos I thought I'd be posting about.  Little did I suspect that my favorite tenants would show up today! :)

Walking into the kitchen, I peered out the window into the side yard...

It always surprises me that I can spot a bird approximately 300 feet away--although, I've been mistaken at times...this time, I felt sure that the bluebirds had come to check out their favorite nestbox in the yard.  (I'm glad I cleaned it out a month or two ago.)  In my excitement, I ran for the camera that I'd left in the other room.  Sure enough, their was a bluebird perched atop the birdhouse.

The photos are not that clear, but clearly the pair has returned (I always assume it is the same pair that I started with...or some of their descendants).  Although I am happy to see a multitude of native birds nest in the yard (and I want more), when the bluebirds return to nest, it always brings me a special kind of joy. ~smile~

 


Last year, for some reason, I was concerned that they would not return.  They did.  However, they only raised one brood instead of the two (sometimes three?) that they normally do--a pair of tree swallows took their favorite box after their first brood fledged.  I'm hoping that they maintain control of that nestbox and are able to raise three broods this year--if my gut is right, it will be an early spring.  If so, perhaps with an early start, they can squeeze in three broods. :)

Staking Claim

The male bluebird is back and staking claim to what appears to be the best nestbox on the property.  Each year, this particular box is used by a bluebird pair.  I'm thrilled to see it is likely they'll be nesting here again--I have to admit that I'd be quite disappointed if I had to go a year without them.

After spotting him last week, I went out and checked out the inside of the box where I saw several strands of grass had been added to the bottom already.  Today, I saw just a few more had been added.  Looking good. :)

Calling Dibs

While chatting with Jeff, something caught my eye out the kitchen window and over halfway across the field--a dark spot on the bluebird house.  After grabbing the binoculars, I confirmed what I suspected and hoped.  The bluebirds are back.  At least the male is, and he is claiming his favorite nestbox in the yard.  That same box has been used by a bluebird pair each year since I put it up...I assume they are the same pair, but I have no way of knowing.

It is that time of year again.  I'll have to keep an eye out on the box and try to have the camera ready.

House Hunting or Moving In

On this beautiful, sunny day, I spotted a bluebird pair checking out all three nest boxes. :) I took several pictures through a window...none of them terribly well focused, but one does show a bit of grass in the males beak, so I wonder if their decision was made and they are moving in.

It is sunny, but rather cold today--at least based on the temperatures we have been getting. Today is high 30s, but tomorrow should be around 50! ~smile~ Maybe I'll get out and get some better pictures that aren't taken through glass or at such a distance.

If the dried grass is actually an indication of their final choice and not just a part of the mating ritual, then they seem to have picked the box closest to the house.

House Hunting Continues

This morning, I spotted a pair of bluebirds checking out that same box. Perhaps the others were around too, but I didn't notice them. By the time I grabbed the camera they were gone. However, just a short time later, I spotted them checking out the nest box nearest to the house. It is not the best photo, but I snapped this through the window.

This is the same house that the tree swallows tried using last year. The nest and eggs were abandoned, due to the loss of the mate, I believe. I hate to admit that I'd yet to clean it out--something I normally do in the dead of winter...this winter seems to have no "dead" in it...if feels like we went from November to March with no steps in between. So, I decided to go out and remove the old nest, so that the bluebirds have another option for nesting...and one closer to the house!