There was change in the behavior of our nesting bluebird pair today. She came out of the house more and they began to really guard the bluebird house. It is nearly time that the four eggs hatch so this may explain it.

Anyhow, I was blessed with some nice images that some folks might enjoy seeing. Tom

Fantastic photos! I need lessons!!!!
Steve

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Steve

Others have tried failed Steve..what makes you think you can fly?

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Thirty characters. Exactly...

Thanks Tom I always enjoy your pictures. Don

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"Don't worry be happy"

Thanks for those. I particularly like your second photo. Seems like there is a message there that speaks to the great scheme of things.

Great photos! Since I no longer have cats I would love to find plans for a bluebird house so I can build one.

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Why duck?? It's a 9mm!

NPWRC :: Nest Structures, Feeders and Blinds
The above link will take you to the best bluebird box plans I have found. The Petersen design works especially well here in NC, and you can see as many as 3 clutches hatch in one year, if the weather is right (mild winter). Use rough-cut cedar and glue the joints, as well as nailing them, for a box that will serve the birds for years to come.

Beautiful pictures!

Outstanding pictures! Thank you for posting them.
They are beautiful.
teesur.

Bluebirds are special here in Wyoming and in California, Montana lots of effort in nest box's available in critical areas.I remember seeing plenty as a kid then not so many,the efforts have helped and I see them often now.
Beautiful pictures,thanks for sharing.

My favorite bird. I always thought if I saw a bluebird that day was a good day. I woke up and looked out the window from bed and saw a pair on my shed roof early in the morning.

Beautiful photos Tom! I have a lot of Bluebirds here too. I would buy live mealworms and put some out in a small tray attached to a tree. They love them! Thanks for sharing your awesome photos!

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Misty

Thanks shaggist. I'm a tarheel myself and have a brother that lives in Charlotte. I'll check out the site. I have a neighbor who loves to build bird houses so I'll give him the info too. Thanks again.

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Why duck?? It's a 9mm!

Y'all shot some great photos. BlueBirds, Cardinals and BlueJays are some of the most photogenic avians out there......

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GA Carry member
Vietnam Vet

EXPERIENCED BIRDERS . . . HELP!

My wife and I got a bluebird house last year, and the first year we had no users of the house.

1. This year a pair of Chickadees occupied the house successfully a couple of months ago, but at that time I did not know to remove the nest . . . and my concern below is because of this old nest still in the box . . .

2. Last month, on the 10th, we were overjoyed to discover a pair of Bluebirds around the box and soon a bluebird nest appeared ON TOP of the old Chickadee nest.

I discovered bluebird eggs on 5/25 . . . so we should have birds soon.

QUESTION . . .

Due to the height of the combined nests, there is only about two inches of clearance above the bluebird nest at the top of the box. I’m very concerned about premature fledging due to the greatly reduced space.

SHOULD I OPEN THE BOX AND REMOVE THE CHICKADEE NEST AT THIS TIME to lower the bluebird nest in the tall, square bluebird house? We may have birds hatching very soon of course.

Complicating matters here in central Georgia, we are having endless days of sweltering heat of around 100+ degrees and I've read excessive heat can sometimes ruin a bluebird hatching.

SHOULD I REMOVE THE CHICKADEE NEST TO LOWER THE BLUEBIRD NEST to gain a lot more space?

I find bluebirds become used to humans peering into their nests and touching the eggs to count them, etc. However you may harm the nest in removing the chicadee nest so maybe it's best to leave it be and let nature take its course. Mama bluebird may not have allowed enough material on the bottom since the old nest was there. I've had many bluebird nests built on top of old nest and no harm was done.

Just be more diligent next year because they will be back.

Thanks!

Two have hatched today while I was at work . . . and hopefully two more to go!

Beautiful, in its own way. The adults will eat the shells shortly (for calcium I've read) and clean the next, and both were observed bringing food to the next this evening.

Tom Turner,
Always remove the old nest as soon as the chicks have left. Leave the lid open, so that the chick-pee can evaporate and the box can dry out. Clean the bits of dirt and old nest out at the same time, and, in a few days, it will be ready for another pair to raise a brood.

Great pics! The young'uns will be great too.
TACC1