Wednesday, April 15, 2009

Just Bluebirds

I heard the first bluebird singing in our yard this year on March 15th, but in just the last 10 days or so, I've have a pair hanging around pretty consistently and checking out the housing options. This morning when Sophie and I were on our walk, we noticed a pair checking out a woodpecker cavity in a birch tree at one of the neighbors up the street.

I was even more surprised when I got home to find that there was also a pair checking out a woodpecker cavity in the dead birch tree in my front yard! (The downy woodpeckers excavate these holes, but to the best of my knowledge, they have never used them for nesting.)

I had seen house sparrows going in and out of this hole earlier in the winter, so I hope the bluebirds can keep them away. It would be so amazing if they nested here because this dead tree is right outside the bedroom window and it would be extremely cool to wake up to the sound of bluebirds singing every morning!

Here's a nice shot of Mr. Bluebird.

Here's Mrs. Bluebird on a Gilbertson PVC house.

And here's Mrs. Bluebird waiting for Mr. Bluebird to come out of the tree cavity.

And here's one more short movie, because I just can't get enough of these birds!


And don't forget about the Minnesota Bluebird Recovery Program spring conference coming up this Saturday in Elk River, Minnesota. There's a link on my sidebar if you want more information or would like to attend.



16 comments:

Mama Pea said...

What neat videos! I think I've seen 2 bluebirds up here in close to 36 years. According to the maps, we SHOULD have them in our area but I think locally we're just too densely wooded. Darn. They are so lovely.

Lynne at Hasty Brook said...

I sure would love to have Bluebirds nest in my yard. I've never even SEEN them in my yard!

Gaelyn said...

Looks like they like the place. Hope you get new neighbors. Then we will also be able to share in the raising of their family.
Nice video, which I wouldn't normally be able to watch on dial-up.

Lisa at Greenbow said...

This is such exciting news Ruthie. I hope they nest in your birch tree. I kept wanting to get my bins on them for a closer look. tee hee.

NCmountainwoman said...

Great videos. I can't get enough of them either, although they don't come in our wooded yard. Hope they find a cavity or house to their liking.

Anonymous said...

What a pleasant surprise in your yard, bluebirds and right in front of the house. You are one lucky lady to have bluebirds so close to your home. I hope they stay, you'll certainly enjoy them to no end.

MOM

Marsha said...

I'm with Lynne, I sure would love if bluebirds even made an appearance in my yard much less nested. I hope they do pick your tree!

jan m said...

I hope the bluebirds stay so you can enjoy them daily. House sparrows usually win out at my nest boxes even though I try to evict them!

Kelly said...

Wow! I loved your videos! What a great catch. I hope they do start nesting. Beautiful photos of the bluebirds also.

KGMom said...

Love the bluebirds. I am always envious of anyone with bluebirds around. Lucky you.

Jayne said...

Oh, I do hope they'll nest there Ruthie! That would be so neat to hear and see. I checked my house the other day and mom now has SIX eggs in her nest. Can't wait to see them. :c)

Danielle said...

They seem quite interested in the cavity. I find watching birds look for homes to be almost as fascinating as looking at homes for myself!

Aleta said...

Hi, Ruthie -
I can't view your videos because I have dial-up and it would take forever to load, but your still pictures are awesome! Keep on snapping those shots!
I think it would be neat to see bluebirds checking out a dead tree cavity for nesting. We've only ever seen them checking out our bluebird houses.
Take care

RuthieJ said...

Hi Mama Pea,
I didn't see my first bluebird until I was in my late 30's and then it was near Alexandria, MN. I was so happy when the first pair showed up in my yard almost 20 years ago. But you're right, they definitely prefer the wide open spaces!

Hi Lynne,
Their numbers are really increasing thanks to so many more responsible bluebird "landlords." I think there are quite a few bluebird nestbox trails around the Twin Cities now too.

Hi Gaelyn,
I thought about the dial-up users when I posted these 2 movies. I'm glad you got a chance to see them with your wi-fi connection.

Thanks Lisa. I hope they nest in the tree too--it would be great to just watch them right out the window!

Thanks Carolyn. There are many nesting choices for them in the neighborhood, so I also hope they choose one of mine!

Thanks Mom. I hope they stay too and have a successful hatch this year.

Hi Marsha,
I would think your place would be pretty attractive to bluebirds.... do you ever see or hear them out there?

I hope so too Jan. House sparrows are always evicted from my bluebird houses too.

Thanks Kelly. I'll be sure to post some updates if the bluebirds choose this natural cavity for nesting.

Thanks Donna. They are such beautiful birds and I love hearing their little warbling song.

Oh Jayne, 6 eggs! Your bluebird parents will be very busy if all those eggs hatch. Good luck!

Hi Danielle,
It is fun to watch the birds choose their home. I wonder though why Mr. Bluebird went in and out so readily, but Mrs. Bluebird didn't seem that interested....

Hi Aleta,
This birch is the only dead tree in my yard right now and I'm amazed the bluebirds found the cavity. They've always nested in the bluebird houses I've put up, so I think it's neat that they still instinctively know to look for natural cavities too.

Dawn Fine said...

Howdee...
Loved the videos...
and the photos..How cool to have these birdies nesting in your yard!

RuthieJ said...

Thanks Dawn!