For the past 4 years we’ve had a nesting box next to our mailbox and each year we’ve had a pair of Eastern Bluebirds nest there. It’s been a joy to watch as they work to build the nest, then notice the flurry of work has stopped. The eggs appear- one each day until there’s 4 or 5. Then you don’t see the female too often after that for about 21 days. The male patiently stands guard and let’s us know we’ve invaded his territory when we go to get our mail. Pretty soon, you’ll hear cheeping when getting the mail and you know the young ones have hatched. The parents are in a flurry again finding food for their young. It doesn’t take too long before they’ve fledged and you see them perching nearby on low branches. Then the cycle begins all over again for the second batch of the season.
September is perhaps the best time to see bluebirds as this is when they’re flocked together. They love puddles when it rains. I’ve also seen them “playing” in the water when I’ve got the lawn sprinkler going. Usually we’ll see 10-12 at a time. That would be Mom & Dad, and two batches of young ones that they’ve raised over the Spring and Summer. Bluebirds are insect feeders so they head South when the weather freezes their food supply; but they’re soon back again in March to start the cycle all over again.
I took a few photos the other day of our resident bluebirds. Since bluebirds often return to the same nesting place if possible, I’m pretty certain this is the same pair that’s been nesting in this box the past 4 years. Four eggs per clutch is the average, but this pair has consistently laid 5 per clutch. You’ll see in the photo, they’re going for 5 again this time. If you have a grassy area near your home, it would be a perfect spot to put up a nesting box. You’ll need to monitor it to make sure sparrows don’t move in first, but when you’re successful in getting bluebirds to live there, it will be worth it.
Jill Frazier - Marketing Manager, Mossy Oak Properties of Wisconsin, LLC
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