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NH Eastern Bluebirds Nesting in March

14 years ago

The unseasonable weather enticed a male and female to arrive early. That was interesting, but considering it is only March 22 and pair have already chosen a box and are actively constructing a nest makes me wonder about the coming days. New Hampshire will most likely will return to our 50 - 60 degree days and 30-40 degree nights. Any thoughts?

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Comments (13)

lisa11310
14 years ago
Same thing here in Michigan, we can have snowstorms and freezing temps through April, though the 90 day outlook says not this year. I can always shovel a path to the meal worm feeder if need be ; ) Hope you have a great season!
tobygirl
14 years ago
Sure hope they don't lay eggs this early in NH. We lost five week-old BB babies two years ago during the first week of May here in New York State. Temps went below freezing for a couple days - not sure if they froze or if there was no food. Very sad!
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Gaile, you're not dumb! This hobby just has more to it than the eye can see! The fishing line is a form of deterrent. Sialis.org says HOSP typically see it, flutter around the box, and are discouraged by it. I tried it one season without any luck. Still had HOSP claim nestboxes with the monofilament (fishing line) It is best to trap and dispatch a male House Sparrow that has laid claim to a box. This would be, of course, AFTER the fact that he has gotten over the fishing line. A mesh drawstring or large trashbag is ideal so that you can contain the bird and it doesn't escape. Sialis.org/hosp has all the management methods. It may seem harsh, but as Kendra said, they're dangerous birds. They're also messy and don't eat many insects. If you want to be successful with Bluebirds, you will have to find a way to deal with the House Sparrow. There are few places these days that don't have HOSP due to modernization, poor bird feeding, etc. When you get to watch a beautiful, young bluebird leave the nest for the first time you forget you really had to deal with HOSP. Good luck, and check out my link for the traps! Here is a link that might be useful: Van Ert Nestbox Traps
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dzyg
14 years ago
I am in Central WI and they are choosing nestboxes right now. No nestbuilding yet but I am sure it could be soon. At least for those here in the yard if it gets cooler I do have mealworms for them. They are eating rehydrated dried ones right now along with plenty of live bugs in the yard. Hopefully they don't have eggs if it does get cooler again. Crazy weather, lots of things will be hurt this year if it goes back to normal temps and freezing at night.

Donna
ohsoblue77
14 years ago
My bluebirds have been building a nest since early - mid week last week and look about finished, here in N.E. Ohio

The latest weather I just saw, after 3 straight 80 degree days, says we are gonna be in the 40's by the end of the weekend! BAD!!! Cherry, Dogwood, and Magnolias have ALL broke out into bloom! Other trees are pushing out leaves. The trees are WEEKS ahead of normal.

Really hope my blues don't get a cold spell. Like tobygirl, I also lost a nest of blues to a sudden cold snap. One evening they were very poorly tending to the young. It was around 70 then. The next day, 50! 4-5 nestlings starved to death. I pulled the plug on the attempt after observing them laying in the nest stiffly, with no ability to chirp and couldn't raise their heads. When there were winds and cold rain.

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mcgann
Original Author
14 years ago
Thanks for all of the replies. We have cameras in all of our boxes, so it makes monitoring their activities very easy. I will supplement their diet if the temps drop, but for now it is just wait and see. This is our second year living on this property, and based on how comfortable these EBB's when I am around, I am hoping they are a returning pair. We had a very successful season last Spring.
kendra2003
14 years ago
The year before last we had an ice storm with terrible winds after the babies had hatched. They did just fine because I made sure the parents had plenty of food to give them. If we do get a cold snap in between this unseasonably warm weather, just make sure to feed them. The parents can keep them warm, but they can't feed them without insects.
bettycbowen
14 years ago
I am in Central OK and everything is a month early garden-wise. My blues had four eggs laid by the 19th, the earliest ever for me. A robin has a nest in the nearest tree, and they are getting along remarkably well. This morning they were sitting side by side!
lisa11310
14 years ago
Bubble wrap the box & have plenty of meal worms (also can go get crickets at any Petsmart) May need to disable the crickets (not fun) but can keep the babies alive!
rocky55
14 years ago
I live in Illinois. My blues have built a nest and have 2 eggs laid already! I hope they make it.
mcgann
Original Author
14 years ago
High of 60 degrees here today and felt like it should. EBB did some nesting/ building but seem to have lost the urgency displayed days earlier. On a Great Note...the female finally made the connection between me and the meal worms. Almost felt her 'stink eye' when all were consumed.
kendra2003
14 years ago
I checked this afternoon and my Bluebirds have laid their first egg (Massachusetts). So yours shouldn't be far behind. This year everything is early. Last year the first egg was laid April 9th.
mcgann
Original Author
14 years ago
Freezing temps and very, very high have made these past two days interesting....the worms kept blowing of of the feeder?!? I invented a wind proof feeding station and they went for it...I am supplementing their diet until the btemps and winds offer favourable conditions for them. Nesting activity reduced to a few new pine needles and chest cupping. Happy that they are toughening it out. They follow me everywhere.
dzyg
14 years ago
Its been cool and windy here too. Our Momma Blue is still slowly building her nest. I haven't checked on the progress cause it is too windy. Just watch them from the window. They are happily eating their rehydrated mealworms though, the male has been feeding them to the female. I have mine in a dish in a covered jailhouse style feeder. That way it doesn't matter how windy or rainy it is, they can still get their mealworms and the Robins and other large birds cannot steal them.

Donna

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