They're Everywhere!

15 years ago

Hello to all.

Bluebirds here seem to be loving it. Usually I see them once or twice in flocks, but this year they've been staying around.

I'm talking fall bluebirding of course. my 2nd trail also has bluebird activity.

Must be the parents and the to-be-molted juveniles.

Anybody else seeing a lot going on with bluebirds in their area? I'm so glad to see they're staying around!

TiM

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Comments (9)

kendra2003
15 years ago
How cool that so many are staying around for you. How many boxes do you have on your trails? Do you know how many fledged from your boxes? I just love all the details when it comes to Bluebirds. Last year there was a huge flock of them (est. 30-40) that kept coming to my friend's house in the fall. I think some people forget to keep their eyes out for the flocks at this time of year.
griffin_MD
15 years ago
Mine seem to be making the rounds of the neighborhood during the day. They've been visiting the crabapple trees just about the time I pull in the driveway from work and I LOVE seeing all those fledglings from this year! At my school trail there are about a dozen almost every single day, but they don't seem to stray far no matter what time of year it is. They know the mealworms will be coming as soon as the temps turn colder, so they keep the place staked out! I must say that I sure do wish they'd eat these stink bugs that are infesting the mid-Atlantic region. We had our state bluebird society picnic today and there were easily thousands of stink bugs also in attendance!!! Yuk.
Kathy
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lisa11310
15 years ago
Mine have done the fall "box downpayment" with babies in tow. Mom came and had a few worms but they have ignored the feeder for quite some time. They come for the Polk berries. They are molting. They usually head out after that. They have never stayed here for the winter. Bluebirdbaby's stay and shes just over an hour a way. I think I would worry too much if they stayed here.
ohsoblue77
Original Author
15 years ago
kendra2 - I manage 2 trails - 1 has 3 boxes with 2 paired and 1 single. The pair produced 5 swallows and 4 bluebirds who had only dad as mom disappeared a little over a weak old nestlings.

Another box produced 5 swallows. The other trail produced 6 bluebirds from two different pairs. (both had 3 nestlings)
The second pair showed up mid way through the season when I rearranged and re-mounted the boxes. (I adopted this trail, on first check I found a dead male bluebird and the boxes filled with HOSP) I have prevented HOSP reprod. the past 2 seasons here and it also produced 5 bluebirds in 2008.

OMG the climate here is crazy! I live in Ohio and it was 90 degrees two days ago, now it barely reached 61! It feels like winter now!
kendra2003
15 years ago
Ohsoblue, thanks for the stats on your trails. Sounds like you've got your work cut out for you. It's a labor of love though. Well worth it for the Blues and Tree Swallows.
Kathy, the stinkbugs are everywhere. At this time of year they always manage to get in the house, Yuck. You'd think birds would eat them with their poor sense of smell, but maybe they taste awful too?
bettycbowen
15 years ago
Mine may be sticking around too. I didn't see them for weeks, but these past couple weeks I've seen 5 or so, like the whole family, sitting in their favorite spots. I was almost late to school because I got so into watching them beat caterpillars to death on the roof of my garage. Then Friday morning I saw the dad on my new bluebird house (the one he rejected for the last brood) then he flew up to a hole far far up in my gigantic sycamore - so maybe that's where they had the last brood!

Anyway, I'm happy to see them. And I have stink bugs like crazy too - they are so disgusting. I'm really going to have to do a thorough cleaning of my hibiscus before I bring it in for winter. I'll let the thing die before I let those bugs in the house.
mlkbskt
15 years ago
What the heck are stink bugs?!
kendra2003
15 years ago
Stink bugs are like ugly, armored beetles, and they let out an awful smell when disturbed. Around here they find ways into the house when the weather turns cold. Here's a link to an educational site with information on them.
stink bug information
bluebars
15 years ago
Some stinkbugs are native. But we have been absolutely inundated with an invasive species, the brown marmorated. Pesty, yes. But they are also causing serious crop damage.
http://www.hgic.umd.edu/content/brownstinkbug.cfm
I've been flicking them into a jar of soapy water whenever I can - a bit of dishwashing soap ensures they will not be able to swim or climb out.
If you haven't seen them yet in your area, you probably will.
BlueBars

Here is a link that might be useful: http://www.hgic.umd.edu/content/brownstinkbug.cfm

They're Everywhere!

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