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Are Bluebirds going to nest?

14 years ago

I'm in NVA and haven't seen a bluebird since the spring in my birdhouse, but today two showed up and were looking inside the one they occupied. Would they be staying in Northern VA for the winter? I thought it would be too cold for them, but this could be great news.

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Comments (2)

dave_in_va
14 years ago
I live in Stafford County, near Fredericksburg. Our bluebirds stay year 'round. I keep a warmer in one of the bird baths and feed them meal worms and I see them every day, especially when it is bad weather.

If you see them near your nest box now they are checking out potential nesting places for next Spring. Mine come by every day and will chase away any other bird (bluebird or otherwise) that shows interest in the box. You may not see them when freezing temps arrive (unless you feed them and provide them water like I do), but they are nearby, most likely hunkered down from the cold wind in evergreens.

Dave
kendra2003
14 years ago
I have had them here every winter for the last three years and I live much further north than you. So yes, they may well spend the winter. Like Dave, I have a heated bird bath and feed mealworms and home made suet that I make just for them. They will even bathe in freezing cold weather in the heated bird bath. Like Dave said, if you provide them with what they need to get through winter, they may very well stay with you.
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