Wednesday, February 23, 2011

Bluebirds return!

I know these are horrible, horrible pictures but I was standing at the window this morning and just happened to see two bluebirds at the bluebird box.  I got so excited that I choked on my toast!

We have managed to attract bluebirds for the past five years after just a year of trying and I'm always tickled when they return every Spring.  Last year Ink the Cat caught the momma right after the bird had laid three tiny eggs and she brought her straight to me on the front porch.  She was injured but flew out of my hand - I assumed she died later as she didn't return to the box.  I thought we'd lost a brood but - lo and behold - baby daddy entered the nest box himself and soon there were little bluebird babies in that box.  Sad but Nature's grand.

Today while it's warmish I'll clean out the box and make sure no wrens have taken over.  They're feisty things and will keep setting up housekeeping in the bluebird boxes until they finally take a hint and nest elsewhere.  (Sheesh - they have their OWN houses in back by the barn!)

Once established in the box, bluebirds are extremely territorial and will fight off intruders like wrens.  And I'll be watching for bluebird eggs in the next month or so (I think it's kinda early in the season) and hopefully I'll get pictures of those tiny eggs.  Fingers crossed.

5 comments:

Julie said...

Oh - how exciting. This is my sure sign of spring!
Unfortunately - we have another month here in Wisconsin before we see the blue flash in the fields. Enjoy!

leah - moxiethrift on etsy said...

YEAH for blue birds! We have a few of them stop by our place too. I am so excited for all the birds to return. The woodpecker is my favorite bird of the backyard...he reminds me of my gramps.

lynn bowes said...

Okay, Leah. I'm not sure I even want to know why the woodpecker reminds you of your gramps! We have redheaded woodpeckers and black and white flickers in addition to the regular crew at the feeders - gold finches, purple finches, juncos and sparrows. I'm getting old - they're fun to watch.

Anonymous said...

I have only seen one bluebird but we do get a lot of other birds including orioles...can't wait until they all begin arriving.

lynn bowes said...

Orioles! We see them so infrequently and I put out oranges and grape jelly and everything. Lucky you.