That is just so awesome. Not just to have the same female return, but to absolutely know it is her because of her unique color. I'm certain I have a different pair this year because they are very shy around me and don't come to the mealworm feeder when I call them. They won't go near it for about half an hour after I fill it. Also, this is the first pair I've ever had that built their nest out of short pine needles. In the past they have always used the long pine needles or grass.

Hi Cathy, glad to hear yours are back. Mine just started patrolling the yard last week, no signs of a nest yet but I usually get one every year. I think it's interesting that my bluebirds are back to their "beginning of May" schedule instead of the "middle of April" schedule they've been on for the past two years. I wonder if it's the climate or the weather or just a different pair this year on a different schedule.

Great bird sightings! I wouldn't be super excited about the house wrens, LOL, but they *are* nice birds when you take bluebird predation out of the equation. Congrats on the hummingbird too - I've had nectar out for four weeks now and not a single one in sight! Good luck with your bluebird eggs! :)

You removed a Chickadee nest?? Why on earth would you remove a Chickadee nest?? They are very low on the totem pole as far as successful nestings since they cannot fight off larger cavity nesters, plus they usually only have one brood per season so they need all the help they can get. I LOVE Dees! I have had them nesting here for the last three years and I would never never remove one of their nests!! I protect them as much as I could and if a Blue pair wanted the box that a Dee already had then I would put a hole reducer on the box so the Blues couldn't have it! I have tons of TRES that take all the boxes around here but I haven't removed any of their nests either, just keep hoping the Blues find an empty box and nest. The Blues around here are always the last to start nesting so they get what is left pretty much of the nestboxes. I have one pair of Blues, one pair of Dees and six pairs of TRES all nesting right now. Blues love mealworms but as far as getting them to stay in your yard and nest, there is no guarantee. The male finds the nesting sites but the female needs to approve of it. She makes the final pic. If she likes the nestbox she will stay...if they found something better elsewhere they will go there. Alot depends on the availability of nestboxes around your area. If they have lots to choose from they could go anywhere but if there aren't alot of spots for them to choose from then maybe they will choose your yard. However if you aren't prepared to let other native cavity nesters use the nestboxes you put up then you shouldn't be offering nestboxes. Oh and hopefully all your nestboxes are mounted on slick metal poles (conduit works best) with predator baffles and at least 15 feet away from trees or fences. Donna