I saw two and now they're gone

14 years ago

Hi,

I am new to bluebirding. I put nesting boxes up last year and no bluebirds. I moved the boxes, put up a bluebird garden flag, and even bought mealworms. The problem is that I finally saw two bluebirds on Friday of last week, but I haven't seen them since! Nobody is eating the mealworms. I feed goldfinches with nyjer and also use black oil sunflower seed. Do you think the bluebirds were scared away with all the activity in the yard? What can I do to get them back?

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Comments (5)

kendra2003
14 years ago
No, they should not be scared away by other birds feeding. I forget where I read it, but when I first put up a nest box, I read that since they're so territorial if you put something blue on the box it might entice them down to take a look. I hung a piece of blue fabric on the box and had one checking out the box in no time. You could always try that as it's simple to do.
callalilykris
Original Author
14 years ago
Thanks kendra2. I also read that about putting something blue on the box so I did that and still nothing. I'm starting to believe seeing the two was a figment of my imagination because I want them so bad.
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Ann
14 years ago
Callalily,

I smiled when I read that you are starting to believe you imagined the blues---I have had the same feeling when I saw wild & wonderful things; my first and only cedar waxwing, my first and only rose breasted grosbeak, my first hummingbird examining a rose.

Don't be down. If they're in your area, they'll likely come back! Do you have a bird bath?

I think luring blues is as much luck as anything else...I live just off a bicycle trail and saw some blues on the trail about 50 yards from my house, 20 yards from my yard. Bird houses went up, and the next spring I got their attention! Be patient....it's worth it! Every morning when they show up, I feel like a dream has come true.

Good luck,

Ann
callalilykris
Original Author
14 years ago
Thanks, Ann, for your encouraging words. I do have a birdbath and even a fountain bath as well. I'm hoping they'll be back.
dzyg
14 years ago
Never heard of putting something Blue on the box to attract them but you never know. I do know Bluebirds don't readily come to a mealworm feeder, they need to be trained to do so. They really need to be nesting in your yard first before you offer mealworms. Bluebirds are drop feeders (they perch and watch the ground for bug movement and drop down on it) so you need to see where they normally perch and then put the mealworm dish below this spot. Once they find the worms then you can move them to wherever you want, slowly if it is far away, or into a mealworm feeder.

Good luck, hope they come back for you! I have a Blue pair that are taking their sweet time in nestbuilding. Have lots of houses but I have no clue which one they want and the choices are dwindling down due to TRES taking the others. They have been here for over two weeks now so I am pretty sure they will nest but you just never know.

Donna

I saw two and now they're gone

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kendra2003

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I saw two and now they're gone

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kendra2003

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Ann

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dzyg

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