Hi to all of you. I am new to this forum, but not to bluebirding (and though I've read a lot I am every bit an amateur.)

Last February, after visiting friends who live further north in the state (Texas) and who had TONS of bluebirds around, I saw a pair in our back yard here in the west Houston area. I was ecstatic and ran out to buy $200 worth of bluebird "stuff", not even sure they nested this far south. (The people at the store quizzed my pretty hard because they were sure I'd seen blue JAYS. lol)

Long story short - they left and I was quite distressed - and then came back in May (HOT here in May!) to build a nest while we were in the middle of building a pool as well as a covered gazebo, which is no further than 8 feet or so from the entrance of their house. I was sure the construction would chase them away, but it didn't.

The 5 babies left the nest on a weekend we were away and we saw them around for a while but not since then. One of the babies ended up in the pool, which was very tragic to me after all the delight we'd experienced having them in the yard. I so wish we'd been home that weekend! (We've rescued hummers from the pool more recently.) I also had a house sparrow attempt to claim the house later in the summer, but I put tape over the opening before they could build a nest and took down the sunflower seed feeder I had for the cardinals which they had been using and they went away.

Anyway, I am worried sick that they might not come back after all the construction and losing one of their babies. (Next year, if they come back, I am going to position the opening of the house away from the pool when the babies are about ready to leave the nest.) I was wondering what some of your experiences have been regarding returning birds. I hope, hope, hope that they will come back. And I'm cautiously optimistic because they remained to build the nest in the midst of very loud construction when they still had time to leave (though the gazebo wasn't in yet then.)

I also planted three viburnums on the opposite side of the yard hoping to entice them further.

What do you think my chances are????

Thanks so much!

Annette - who is promising that future posts will be shorter!