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Roger, thanks. Me too. I’m not sure if the bluebirds are defending territory in general, or if there are indeed nestlings nearby. I’m curious to know.
- Ira / Coastal NW Florida
Nest building appears to be underway!
I was puttering around and movement at the nest box caught my eye. I stopped to look and a male perched at the opening and peered in. Moments after, a female came out, flew over to the corner of the yard, picked up a piece of something and flew back to the nest box, and went inside. I continued on what I was doing and looked at the box every minute or two. It was then I noticed the strand of pine needle hanging out through the crack between the hinged side and the floor of the box. Ahhh. I should have noticed that first thing. That telltale strand of pine needle has been the sign of a nest inside for each the previous nests. Another sign, like before, too, was the male perched on the fence and watching me as I moved around the backyard near the box.
There are only a few strands of nest material, so they must have started this morning, but not earlier than late yesterday after noon. It will be fun watching to see if this is a leisurely effort or a rush job.
- Ira / Coastal NW Florida
We have had rain off and on the past few days and this is first I’ve looked since the 28th. The nest appears complete now to my human eyes. No egg. Bluebirds are coming to the backyard and I’ve seen them perched on the feeder pole, but I haven’t sat down and watched the box to see what’s going on.
- Ira / Coastal NW Florida
Lots happening so far today.
First the good news. There is one egg in the nest.
Details: I cut the backyard early, refilled the bird bath, filled the feeders, and sat down to cool off and watch the goings on. A male bluebird was being a wild man and chasing every thing away. Even one of the squirrels ran for cover with the male after it. Then I noticed the female go into the box and the male then peering in after her. She didn’t come out right away, so I thought, is she laying an egg?
I tried to keep my eyes on the box to see her come out, but other things kept drawing my attention. The male was forcing starlings to drop to the ground and stay until he went after someone else. He was going after even the mourning doves. Nobody was safe, except me and the dog, for some reason. The bluebirds still haven’t harassed me. I wonder what they think about the dog, and why they leave him alone, too.
Then the male landed on an arm of the feeder pole and a female joined him. Darn! The female left the box and I missed it! How long has it been? But then, another female came to the feeder pole and perched next to them and there appeared to be some argument. Was that the female from the box? After some bird words between them they flew off. That was something I hadn’t seen before.
So, I waited out the morning before peeking in the box. One beautiful little blue egg.
- Ira / Coastal NW Florida
And the fun begins again. Assuming the numbers will happen as before, it could possibly be June 20 doe hatch and Julu 7 to fledge. Good luck
David
Stafford, VACool Ira.
I have two nests going on in sight of each other only 100 feet apart which is a first for me. Usually I can have them that close only if the house is between the two boxes blocking the view. Usually they are the typical 300 feet.Tammy
Tammy
That is interesting. I have not had success with the nest boxes in sight of one another.David
Stafford, VAThree eggs. One of them has a little white sot on it near one end. I haven’t noticed this sort of thing before. I didn’t notice it yesterday, so I assume this is the new egg.
- Ira / Coastal NW Florida
As far as the white spot, I searched online, got a lot of hits about bluebirds laying white eggs, but also saw pictures of bluebird eggs with various white areas on them. The bird poop explanation is probably the answer.
- Ira / Coastal NW Florida
Four eggs now.
I think the white spot I saw yesterday may have been light. This check I looked for it and didn’t see it, but I did notice this time the speckles of light move and come and go has I lifted the hinged roof up and down.
- Ira / Coastal NW Florida
Five eggs.
Female was still in the box and left when I tapped on the back and started opening the roof panel. I thought I had waited late enough in the day, but guess not.
Also, I saw what I think was a juvenile on the bird feeder. I was filling them up, and he waited until I was a yard or so away before leaving, and then only flew a short distance over to a nearby shepards hook under the Crepe Myrtle in the backyard.
- Ira / Coastal NW Florida
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