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The Return - The Same Pair!

17 years ago

Hello everyone! Last week my husband took down all our nest boxes for repair, and rebuilding. Most have been ruined by woodpeckers, owls and squirrels making the entrance holes larger. The first one he finished and put back up was the the one the bbs used last year. He hadn't even put his tools away before Brad (male bb) was checking it out. A few minutes later here came Angie (female). We've noticed them going in an out a lot with grass and stuff in their beaks so we know they are building a nest.

BUT I HAVE SOMETHING MORE EXCITING!

I already purchased mealies so I could start growing my own. Thursday I went outside, whistled and waited to see if they would show up. My whistle was their signal last year. Brad arrived in lass that 3 minutes with Angie right behind. I fed them some mealies, but had to fight off the mockers, robins, and titmice. It's rainy today and I really didn't want to walk out back and stand there to run the bigger birds off, so I thought I'd try something. I put some worms in can lids and went out on the deck. I whistled. Here came Brad! He ate a couple and then took a couple up to Angie. When the few I put out were gone he sat on the railing just watching me. He wasn't frightened! He flew off but came back a few minutes later and got closed to the kitchen window where he could see me. So I got a few more worms and took the out. He was there immediately. When he knocked the lid over he flew to a plastic arch on the deck, looked around,, and got those too. And he always offered some to Angie. She even made a few trips to the deck herself.

Needless to say we're going to either buy or build a feeder that will attached tot he deck or nearby, We use lots of caution due to 1 Coopers Hawk and a mating pair of Red Shouldered Hawks (who so far prefer doves and squirreds)

I'm looking forward to a lot of advice for you who got be through 3 clutches last year. I'm positive it's the same Brad as last year (he has a white feather that sticks out in a particular spot) but don't know abut Angie.

Can't wait to share pictures and stories. Best of luck to all of you and the magical blues.

tara - Smyrna, GA

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Comments (3)

dzyg
17 years ago
How cool is that, so far I have never had the same pair return, I have always had to train a new pair each year. Great news on the nestbuilding too. I haven't even seen any Blues yet, they don't usually return here until late this month or next month. I did see my first Spring Robin this morning though!

Donna
connie_in_tx
17 years ago
I'm like Donna. I always have to train a new couple each spring. You wonder where they go? We have lost so many trees during "Rita" and "Ike" I am surprised we even have any birds at all. I have seen Robins and Hummingbirds also this spring. Hummingbirds are already at my feeder. One or two. Not a big bunch. Congrats on your same pair. Unbelievable. Connie
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Wonderwiskers, I have two nestbox pairs here at home and they've been paired for at least 3 years. For the first time, we also have TWO pairs! My guess is the distance is AT LEAST 100 yards, though it can seem smaller. They are aligned facing all the same way but they're offset a tiny bit and trees cut off some of the view. I heard singing between the two pairs, and one box has egg laying going and the other one the pair just finished their nest. Only 1 other season did I have two pairs, however it was at another trail I monitor. I also have Tree Swallows which nest in the nestbox pairs. The boxes are 20 ft from each other. We'll see how this plays out, but so far I haven't witnessed any fights. Just heard loud singing, likely calling their territories out to each other. Good luck! ~Tim NE OHIO
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lisa11310
17 years ago
I believe I have had the same male for 4 years. He has blue farther down on his right side. I know there has been at least one female change. Something happened to the first one after the first nesting 2 years ago, But a new one showed up for the second nesting and has been here since.
I would be careful where you put the feeder. I learned the hard way. I had suet on the deck for the Wood peckers, didnt think the Sharpie would come that close to the house.....WRONG. Luckly we have tons of wood peckers here, I woud have been devistated had it been a Blue.

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