When??

allan_2009

16 years ago

Had 1 st Bluebirds last year here near Annapolis, Maryland. BB's fed babys on 5-11, assuming eggs were laid about 14 plus days before BUT when should I expect to see first nest building or site checking in this area this year?? Thanks, Allan

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Comments (15)

kendra2003
16 years ago
Any time now. I think it depends on weather and maturity of the birds. The experienced ones seem to nest sooner than the inexperienced ones. I'm way up in MA and I have a nest with eggs already. However, two years ago I had a pair that didn't start nesting until the end of April.
Ann
16 years ago
Hi Allan,

I'm in Arnold MD, a few miles away. My blues stayed the winter, and built a nest last week. No eggs yet!

Ann
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allan_2009
Original Author
16 years ago
Hi Ann !! Believe I chatted with you last year- Your property backs up to B&A trail?? Thanks for info- One day last late last fall I saw about 7 or 8 BB's fluttering around the house looking at it, etcVats up Mit this behavior- Just once and only for about 15 min?? Al, Edgewater
Ann
16 years ago
Hey neighbor!

I have been very lucky---my blues stayed both winters since all this started. I don't know for sure if my current couple is the original couple or another generation, but....it's fine either way!

Keeping them here year round has been an enormous amount of work---I'm raising mealworms, and every morning, 365 days a year, I put our mealworms. I recommend this to keep them in your yard, BUT....it has really taken over my life.

Do you have mealworms out now?

Is anyone else checking out your house?

Ann
bigmatt
16 years ago
Allen,
I too live in MD(white marsh),You should have house shopping going on now,I have had house shopping since the first part of April,On todays check,I now have three pairs of Blues building,and 6 pairs of Chickadees building,most of the building started this past week.Have you seen any Blues at your boxes this season?

Matt
bigmatt
16 years ago
Allan,
Correction:I have had shopping since the first part of March.

Matt
allan_2009
Original Author
16 years ago
Not yet Matt- Gettin' a LITTLE nervous!! But it was late (mid April last year) I live on the Bay 100 ft from water. Thanks 4 the reply. I will let U know if anything happens. Any idea about my Q on the 7 or 8 BB's checking out the house in late fall for 15 min. ??? Al
allan_2009
Original Author
16 years ago
To all- Plenty of action now . Several in ,out & on the houses now! Checking things out in am, afternoon & eve.
bigmatt
16 years ago
Al,
Glad to hear they showed up,Good luck this season.
Matt
griffin_MD
16 years ago
Hello all you fellow Marylanders! My first hatching of the season happened today at my school trail. The second box on that trail should have hatching tomorrow. I have eggs on all 4 trails but no nesting here at the house as of yet. I'm happy to see that the wind is finally dying down--there are bluebirds everywhere!
Kathy
allan_2009
Original Author
16 years ago
GO NAVY!(Sorry, I digress!!)- Thanks Matt , Anne, & Kathy- Nest building today! She's working hard, in & out with the grass. Pop pokes his head in & out every couple of Mom's trips -checking on her building. WHEN is he going to get off his TAIL & bring some grass too?? ( Bring me a beer hon & is dinner ready yet ??) LOL Al
Ann
16 years ago
Yey!!
griffin_MD
16 years ago
Congrats, Allan and GO BLUES! Your male is typical, Allan, he only supervises! Best to leave the real work to the female and, if she's like most of us females, she'll wait until he's not looking and put things the way she wants them. Keep us posted on eggage!
Kathy
allan_2009
Original Author
16 years ago
THANKS-- Kathy!!!! ps- Do male bluebirds have a SHORTER lifespan like US human males (caring, providing, protecting, etc,for females) ??? LOL, I think!
griffin_MD
16 years ago
Ha ha, Allan. Actually, I think that's an excellent question. I would guess, since they put themselves in the face of danger to protect the female bluebird and their young, that may just be the case. Also, with their flashier coloring they're much more visible than the duller tones of the female which adds to their vulnerability. I think we should pass this question on to our friend Bet who does the sialis.org site and hear what she has to say. Bet? Any stats on this?
Kathy

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