Bluebirds

When I moved to the apartment, I saw that a neighbor had up a bluebird nesting box.   I also occasionally saw that bluebirds would come drink out of my birdbath.  So, I did a little research and put up my own bluebird nesting box! 

I've had the bluebird nesting box for several years now, and even though it hasn't been used every nesting season, it has been used numerous times.  This makes me so happy!   And one time, I found a chickadee in there, sitting her tiny eggs!

I was careful to position the nesting box where is would be attractive to bluebirds, facing in the right direction and so they would be able to have a clear view of their surroundings.  It turns out, they also really like to make use of the handicap parking sign that is near the box!  When they are nesting, I will often see one of the couple, usually the male, sitting on the parking sign. 

I have a critter guard on the pole so things, including snakes, can't get to the nesting box.

While these photos aren't the best, I'm glad to have them as the bluebirds usually fly away when they see me!  

The bluebirds make me happy!

Have a beautiful day!

Ruth

New denizens...

O.K., so today is Way Too Hot. It's 90 degrees out there. The chickens are panting, I'm being wimpy about working outside, and the kitties have collapsed. Well, alright. I know. That is the way the cats usually look, but, really, it is Way Too Hot.

(Tiger and Luca)

Kirstin discovered something very exciting today. Back in February, when I hung these birdhouses that were given to me by the kind people at Buffalo Creek Farm, I had no idea that any bird would actually find them interesting enough to build a nest in one of them.




I was wrong. Not only does the shoe have a nest, it has little baby birds! I am curious to find out what kind of birds they are. I wonder if they might be bluebirds because of the height of the birdhouse, but I do not know. I guess I'll just have to wait and see - words a gardener lives by!


Have a beautiful day!

Birdhouses...

Have you ever looked up the word “birdhouse” in a dictionary? Well, I did, and here is what I found: “an artificial nesting place for birds.” Huh. According to one book I have, birdhouses are the key to “How to Beat the Housing Shortage” for birds.

(Recycling, definitely!)

After I was given a couple of birdhouses yesterday, I started thinking about the bird houses that I already have. There are the 2 that I bought a couple of years ago, poles included, that are still waiting to get stood up. (Does that sound right?)




And then there is the one that my brother-in-law made. You think I have it hanging up? Nope. Not me. It’s another one of those projects on my massive to-do list. Send me a comment in a few months to check up on me and see if it’s up yet.

(Useful and beautiful glass stoop)

I decided not to procrastinate yesterday with my new ones, so I got out my handy dandy hammer and a couple of nails before I even took the new ones out of my van. Aren’t you so proud of me? Now, I don’t know if this will be their permanent abode, but at least the birds have a better chance of being able to use them here than if, say, I put my new ones in the storage shed with the one my brother-in-law gave me.




Then there is the birdhouse that the bluebirds have checked out a number of times and even used one year. It was already standing on the property when we moved here. I think the inscription on the door is charming. Do the bluebirds read, I wonder? Is that how they know they are supposed to nest there?

("Homes for Bluebirds Inc, Bailey, NC, 27807")

So, if you were a bird, which one of my “artificial nesting places” would you choose?

Have a beautiful day!