[Sassy]

Well since the beginning of the week I have not seen another BB. I checked back on my notes from 2017 and 2018 and the nest building started 5/23/ and 5/27 so I guess I was expecting too much too soon. Plenty of time left. In saying that, my friend in a town 20 miles east of me was given two new BB boxes by her aunt and both have BB’s so it is kind of hard of figure. I will just keep a watch and hope I see a pair show up and stay before too long.
How are things going down your way David, any luck with your pair? Weather has not been too good, we had snow yesterday and wind, and it was chilly here again today, some improvement in temps tomorrow with showers later in the day.
How is everyone else doing?
Connie (PA)

[Sassy]

Amazing Lisa but late compared to the date last year. I have seen a pair of BB’s checking out one or both boxes every day this week, but I don’t know if it is the same pair or a different pair each time. None of them seem interested in staying. It is early for here, we are getting some warmer days but the nights are awfully chilly and we may get some snow again this coming Friday. I get so excited when I see them and keep hoping one of the pairs will stay, but so far no luck. I know to be patient but it’s hard when you see them and then they are gone. Oh well, all in good time. I forget what state you are in Lisa, could you refresh my memory.
Connie (PA)

[Sassy]

Wow Chris, that is amazing. No I would not have thought the Blues would stick around in such freezing temps, but goodness they are expensive to keep. I take it you have a heated birdbath, that is another expensive item to maintain. I have never seen a BB around here in the winter, but I never gave a thought to what it would cost to get involved. My pair that investigated the box the other day did not return, but today I saw one pair and a single male down the road. Others will probably show up in a few weeks.
I too could not figure out why birds deficate in the water they drink and bathe in but we can attest to the fact that they do. They are so good about keeping the box clean when the little ones are still in there. Go figure.
I did see hundreds of robins in the fields as we traveled over to our cabin, so I am assuming the blues will not be far behind. I will give a lot of thought to trying to keep the blues here this winter, not sure I want to give that much commitment or money to doing that. That being said I think it would be exciting to see them year round, maybe I will have to make a visit to Rochester just to see them.
Thanks for the info.
Connie (PA)

[Sassy]

Hi Chris:
Keeping your Blues all year round is wonderful. I thought maybe I would try to do that this year if I am lucky enough to get a pair or two to settle in, but with those bitterly cold days we had a few times this winter I am not sure they would survive should that polar vortex show up again this coming winter. I am happy the blues were ready to settle into their homes. Where are you located Chris? I am in Western PA.
Connie (PA)

[Sassy]

Wow Lisa, a nest already. I saw my first pair of BB’s last Sunday about a half mile down the road but none around the boxes here as far as I know. I have been trying to keep as close an eye as possible but you know how that goes. I am hearing and seeing Robins so that is a good sign Spring is not too far off. We hit 59 degrees here today and tomorrow is going to be warmer, but the weekend brings dropping temps again. Well, it is still March and Old Man Winter likes to hang on, but I am thoroughly enjoying the light later in the evenings since the time change.

Connie (PA)

[Sassy]

Hope you didn’t get blown away down there David, that wind sure was wicked in this neck of the woods. Of course the bluebirds are not going to show up in weather like this, even though I did see a big flock of seagulls flying over and landing in the Walmart parking lot last Wed. and a big flock of Canadian Geese in a field Friday evening and tonight the Geese were on the river, so Spring can’t be too far off. I have a feeling you may have some Chickadee’s roosting in your BB box. I have seen them lately going in and out of the box during the day. It has been snowing here all afternoon, we have about 3 inches on the ground and still coming down. I am hoping Ole Man Winter runs out of steam soon.
Keep warm.

Connie (PA)

[Sassy]

It sure is early David, not hide nor hair or feather for that matter of a BB. I have been thinking about them returning but it is still a bit too early for Western PA. I am ready when they are. I have seen a woodpecker using the one box from time to time, but it leaves nothing in there. Our weather is horrendous too, snow, ice, sleet, rain and terrific winds this afternoon and tonight, continuing right into most of tomorrow. Hopefully we have seen the worst of winter and things will start to improve soon. My snowdrops are showing their buds. I am so looking forward to song birds in the AM.

Connie (PA)

[Sassy]

Hi Tammy:
I missed seeing your post but am glad to hear from you. As to what I feed my BB’s, I bought live worms and used dried worms too after the first batch of BB’s hatched. I did mix up a batch of suet but when I did not see the Blues for a couple weeks I felt it was worthless to keep trying. Next year if I am lucky enough to get a nesting pair or two back I will try to continue feeding with the suet once it gets too cold or the supply of live mealworms runs out up into the winter months and see if I can entice them to stay. That would be so great.
Today I could see something looking out of the BB box, but could not make out what it was. The temp at 7:00 AM was -4 and the temps are to continue in a downward trek for the next couple days. I hope the BB box kept whatever it was warm.

Connie (PA)

[Sassy]

Hi Tammy:
Well with the feeder taken down, it had no cage or anything around it and I think the Jays would have stormed it to death, my blues are gone. I may save my pennies and maybe get one of the enclosed feeders next year and see if I can entice the blues to stay in our area and not encourage the bears. That might be a difficult thing to do, it does get awfully cold here in Western PA, in fact it has been bitterly cold here for the last few days. I miss them something awful but maybe I will be lucky again next year and get to enjoy them for part of the year. I know I could never use live mealworms they would freeze in no time but the suet would work if they remained.
How did things go with you being away for 4 weeks? I hope the BB’s didn’t leave.
Connie (PA)

[Sassy]

Carol, I will do my best.
Connie (PA)

[Sassy]

Hi Carol:
I have not seen any BB’s since my last sighting. Maybe they stopped by to say good bye till next Spring. It has turned cold here too and we had some snow and rain mixed last night and today. Guess there is more on the way. I am glad your blues are eating some of your suet. I will start putting the suet balls out in my main feeder in a week or so. Right now I think the black bears are still roaming the area, in fact bear season opens here shortly and I do not want to attract them.
Good hearing from you.
Connie (PA)

[Sassy]

I hope I can say the same thing about my blues Tammy. Seeing them today was a real treat.
Connie (PA)

[Sassy]

Hi Tammy:
I felt the same way about going away but not for more than a week, and they did return to feed once I filled the feeder and whistled for them. Today was a bonus when I saw them show up without any feed in the feeder, in fact my husband took the feeder down since we had not seen any blues in a few weeks. Maybe I should have left it up and tried the suet with them. If I see them again, I will have him put it up again and see what happens.
Connie (PA)

[Sassy]

Hi Carol:
Like you I am not feeding any more worms, either live or dried. I was so thrilled this morning to see what I believe to be my last clutch with Mama and Papa checking out the BB house outside my dinette window. They looked in the house both males and females just like they do in the Spring. Then they all left and I checked the second box in my side yard and they were out there doing the same thing. I never expected to see any Blues again till spring but they are still here. I hope they stay and survive the winter. It is going to get really cold next week so I will keep my eyes peeled to see if they return again. I tried putting out a suet ball about a month ago but they did not seem to have any interest in it. I know the other birds will eat them so it is not a loss making them.
I hope yours remain. I will keep an eye on this forum to see how things are going down your way.

Connie (PA)

[Sassy]

Hi Perry:
I hope you have better luck with the Blues next season. I read somewhere on here where some people have waited for 5 years to get their first pair of BB’s. I am sure lots of people have had the same experience as you or like the person that waited 5 years. Never give up.
Connie (PA)

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