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Hi all,
It’s the 15th of April and I usually have a completed bluebird nest in my nestbox by now. This year I have not seen any sign of the bluebirds. I had them all winter at my mealworm feeder. Several weeks ago a female and 2 males were checking out the box. The males were fighting. It didn’t last long as they all flew off. I thought for sure when the temps warmed up to 70-75 degrees this past weekend I’d see a pair at the box. It’s the first time in the past 3-4 years I haven’t seen them or had a nest this time of year. I checked the nestbox out and all seems well with it. The old nest from last year I cleaned out last Fall. Just wondering what happened to them. Any ideas? It’s going to be a long spring/summer without them. I know it’s still kinda early but its just unusual I haven’t seen them or even a lone male around. This time of year they’re usually very active at the nest box.It has been a strange year weather-wise and bluebirds also. Mine just completed a nest. No eggs as it is still cold. In prior years the first nest is usually done in late March and we have had eggs by this time. I think that the severe weather that we had during the late winter and continuing into spring have messed up the migrations/returning birds. I know I have not seen as many towhees, indigo buntings, or chickadees for that matter.
Hang in there. If you spotted them before, they are probably just waiting for the weather to be a bit more consistent. Or something else! As has been mentioned before, the bluebirds don’t seem to have even read the rule book.
David
Stafford, VADana…..that’s very strange the blues stayed for winter and now you are not seeing them. I think they like to keep us guessing. I hope they show up soon.
David….I saw a female towhee yesterday, the chickadees are here all winter, but the indigo bunting I have only seen twice in my life! What a beautiful blue. The joy of bird watching.
Happy birding,
Judy-MichiganDavid, most true (as I mention in my BB presentations) that the bluebirds do not seem to read the rule book!
Thanks Judy and Carol. We usually have the buntings around for about a week or two and then they move on. The towhees come and go until end of May and seem to disappear. I haven’t seen chickadees in quite a while .. I don’t know where they went. I am planting a flower garden this year after about a 15 year hiatus. I am trying to build the hummers and butterfly presence.
David
Stafford, VAI haven’t seen one on my trail this year at all! The first time in 3 years I haven’t even had one checking boxes. It’s getting depressing. The weather has been so up and doan.
Hi philly – it really is depressing when the blues are not around. I still have none here yet this year. I’m wondering if the weather could be playing a role.
Same in Chester Springs, PA. This is the first spring, in the past 10 years, that I have had no bluebirds. Very strange.
Deb and Dana, the weather has not been good to the birds this year. Have you driven around your neighborhoods and towns to see if there is activity elsewhere. I haven’t seen as many birds around my part of North Stafford but several new housing developments have gone up in areas south of me that used to be covered with timber. I blame some of the decrease bird activity on these housing areas. My daughter lives in one of these areas about 8 miles away and I see many EABL, TRES, Goldfinches, cardinal and other birds like I used to have there. I have not seen any nestboxes though. I don’t know if they have HOA restrictions that prevent their use.
I hope that you will see more activity as we get further into the late spring and early summer. You might be able to salvage a couple of nestings.
Good luck
David
Stafford, VAWow I am at least glad to hear I am not alone…but not so glad really. I wonder what is going on! If you aren’t getting them in rural Lancaster of all places, I can’t imagine how I’ll get any. Well I hope we all get late nesters. I havr tree swallows at least, but really worried about the bluebird populationd.
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