I, too, have spotted several blues in my yard; going in and out of their old house from this summer. I've been told they are checking it out for next spring and they may, possibly, be checking it out to nest in this winter. Either way, you did not chase them away! Blues can be very tolerant of people!
They are so beautiful to see on a cold, gray day, aren't they?

As Maryra said, they are just checking out the boxes for spring. I have three that are coming every day for mealworms and suet. I also see them checking the boxes out from time to time. You didn't scare them away. Chances are they'll be back to nest in your box come spring.

Kendra2, I'm interested in your comments that your BBs are on the suet. How are you presenting it to them?

We started last year hanging homemade pnut butter suet from a VA bb site recipe, and everyone else in the area comes, but no blues. About 60 feet away is our primary BB box, and daily they are checking the box. About 20 feet away is the most favorite bath, and most afternoons the blues come for a bath. But no suet.
We've hung two cages - one closer on a hook, and one on the edge of the woods from a Poplar, on a string about 7 feet off the ground.

Just wondering. It's still warm here, I guess, northern VA.

Hi Wonderwhiskers,

I have my suet on a log. I got a small log, drilled four holes it in (hole saw) and stuff the suet into the holes. The log is hanging from a baffled Shepard's hook. I used an 8" stovepipe baffle. Otherwise the squirrels would take it all. I'm not sure which recipe you use, but I took a basic recipe from Silais.org and then augmented it with ground sunflower seeds. They love it. I also have a heated bird bath which they use a lot. (I use lard, crunchy peanut butter, ground sunflower seeds, corn meal, wheat flour and a bit of sugar).

Hey Kendra2, thanks! LOVED your pic on the other post where it looks snowy. Maybe they'll take to it when it gets colder. I still see them hitting the yard here for insects.
But the recipe we found is almost identical (off VAbluebirds.org) - lard, crunchy p-nut, cornmeal, flour, sugar, oats, and I add a cup of birdseed. Wonder if they don't like oats??

You know, we kept the BB feeding station FAR away from the other seed-eaters. I wonder if they are wanting their own suet station? LOL. We've been reluctant thinking this would draw others to the BB station. They are SUPER protective of their little corner of the yard. Even this past week, we see the blues chasing other birds from the box area. Protective!

I guess they'll take the suet, or not. Either way, everyone else is loving it, and we are enjoying watching the chickadees, titmouses, downey & red headed woodpeckers, and anybody else that wants a mouth full.

Best, Leslie

That's great Leslie. The Bluebirds in my yard seem to rule over most (other than the woodpeckers) and seem to have no trouble sharing the suet log with the other birds. The other birds just back off when the Blues want it. I know they can be very territorial when it comes to the boxes, but having all the other birds there just seems to draw them in to the suet log.