One more sighting. Juveniles!

14 years ago

It's a sad time of the year around my nest boxes out in the field. They're all empty and contain no life.

No Tree swallows to be seen. No box activity.

Does it spell the end of ALL bluebird activity for the YEAR?? Of course not!

I've been busy lately, but within the last week I was doing final box checks when I saw flashes of blue behind my nestbox pair!

I unfortunately saw no close ups, so I have no clue if the parents were part of the group. I heard the calls and saw at least 5 birds perching on the power lines near the road. I think maybe one or two of the juveniles may no longer be with them, but I'm not certain.

It was nice to see them again. As some may know, I'm very young and going into my final year of high school, and will be 18 in only 3 months. The county fair was on for the 1st week of August so that had me away for last week. Came back to find just these guys left hanging around. This was my 6th season.

Hope I get to see a flock of bluebirds this fall near the boxes and in the field before winter!

~Tim~

N.E. Ohio.

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Comments (6)

tmjoseph
14 years ago
I miss our nest boxes having eggs, babies also! Our Bluebirds have disapeared and returned, There are scarce sightings occasionally. I think we may have around 6 to 8 that are hanging around now.
I can't wait for spring!
Lorna Secunda
13 years ago
Recently I have had 6 blues show up twice daily at my mealworms feeder. I can tell they are juveniles due too e still having spots on his breast. I think they are the babies of my resident pair. I glimpse mom and dad occasionally sitting nearby They have been showing interest in the nest boxes too. Scouting I hope for spring nest sites.
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wow, thanks for the kind comments, folks! this spot was lawn 12 months ago. I have learned more on this forum than I would have in 10 years of trial and error. it was getting like a jungle in june, crowded and shading each other, and mildew. I thinned the stragglers, and moved a lot of stuff, and I weed and deadhead ruthlessly. for what it's worth, I put bonemeal on this bed last fall, and fish emulsion on it this past spring. other than that, I have never fed or fertilized it. other than the rootballs that came in pots from the nursery with new plants, it is all organic, as far as I know. I dig really deep holes (about 18") and then turn around and backfill them to plant out or move a plant, so that the soil is all loose underneath it. I pour stones in the hole, too, if I have some. I was indeed already very late for work from watching them all morning, so I had to split. sarah, I'll be watching. I've heard that females can double or even triple-brood in a season. last year, I had 2 distinct batches of different age/development juvies here. although I get infrequent sightings starting in early april, the 'regulars' show up here in july. I wonder if females might double-brood in 2 different locations? flowerpower, he must have been painting in the rufous' territory. ? here's some more pics, cat. the stump bed. (there was a tree stump there) sorry about the garbage cans. I moved them the day after I made this pic. that's moonvine climbing that ground wire. the fence bed in feb or march. I was making the bed twice as wide as last august. early june the new look chain link only fence bed. they're tearing down the houses next door, and are taking the wooden fence and the garage, too, I guess. they tore the house down today while I was at work.
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kendra2003
13 years ago
My third clutch of juveniles still come every day for mealworms. Sometimes momma blue will join them. Mine are also still showing some signs of being juvies, but are molting into their adult feathers. I can hear papa blue sometimes, but I haven't seen him at the feeder.
sagrinin
13 years ago
I am still seeing blues around, but I don't see them at the mealworm feeder. How do I get them there? I have it in a tree but I could put it closer in another tree near the huge tree they roost in, at least I think that is where they are staying. Not familiar with their chirping at all. Don't really, know if these are juveniles or adults.
kendra2003
13 years ago
I'm not sure how you get them to notice your mealworms. The very first year I had them, other birds found the mealworms first, and then the blue followed them in. This year's young were taught by their parents how to use my mealworm feeder. At this time of year, they should all be molted into their adult plumage, so they all look like adults. I have my mealworm feeder on a post. When the young first started coming, I put a bowl on top of the feeder. When they figured out how to get into the feeder, I removed the bowl. Not sure if your setup would work with that suggestion though.
sagrinin
13 years ago
Thanks Kendra. I have it hanging on a tree limb and it has a clear dome top above the feeding dish which is up high now, but i can adjust it lower for smaller birds. The tree is bare. They have been on that tree, but still no takers. I saw one In my birdbath today. Adorable. All fluffed up. I did see two of them fly off together. I may move that feeder and hang it in another tree next to their roosting tree. I will keep you posted. I love seeing them. There have been some birds, not sure if it was a blue or not, looking at the nest boxes.

One more sighting. Juveniles!

Comments (6)

tmjoseph

Lorna Secunda

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