Mine have always flown just a bit away when I go out to put the worms out. They just watch and when I go back in they fly up. Even the fledglings are starting to do this. We have two large trees and a swingset that are about 20 feet from the deck so that is where they fly. Do your fly further away or just a short distance to wait? I do think it is normal though.

Donna

YES, Mine fly to the neighbors tree and wait until about 10 minutes after I go inside.
They used to let me sit out there and watch tnem , but not since the babies fledged.
:(
Is this maybe to protect the babies?
I keep trying - but then lately it h as been raining so I dont sit out there anyway

You have to think also that maybe when they land in someone else's yard or deck, other people might shoo them away (like my left neighbor) or have cats on the deck (like my other neighbor). So maybe it is in the bluebirds' best interest to be more cautious.
If you spend enough time sitting still, quietly waiting, they might get accustomed to you. It might take a lot of patience. (Then somebody else shoos them away and they get jumpy again.)
And the birds go through different behaviors at different times of the year, depending on the age of their young, availability of food, competitors, etc.
BlueBars