Bluebirds are Still Checking out Boxes

Today, after watching the male and female Tree Swallows at their nestbox, we observed a male and a female bluebird seemingly staking a claim to a nestbox further from the swallows. It is getting to be a little late for them to start building a nest, but time will tell if they decide to. Stay tuned.

Tree Swallow Nest Photo

This is what the nest looks like so far. Notice the feathers near the bottom. When the nest is finished, the cup of it will be lined with feathers, which curve in and help conceal the eggs. You may wonder where the swallows find the feathers. There are waterfowl in the same area and the swallows are good at finding feathers which have been left behind by some of the waterfowl in the area.

Tree Swallows Making a Home

 Here is the female peeking out of the box, while the male zips by above and to the right.

Again, the female is peering out of the box. If it stops raining, I will be able to get some better photos with a larger camera.

Location! Location! Location!

 The birds are carefully evaluating their real estate options. The photo above shows a male Eastern Bluebird. He was checking out the two boxes with a female. The female entered one of the boxes twice, before they both flew off.

Pictured above is a pair of Tree Swallows. We watched them have a dispute with several other Tree Swallows and a pair of Eastern Bluebirds. There is nesting material in the box beside this one, which appears to be the beginnings of a Tree Swallow nest. Both bluebirds went in and out of that box, while the Tree Swallows chattered and dive-bombed them. They all flew off after about five minutes and then this pair of swallows returned to "guard" this box.

Stay tuned. It's sure to be an interesting nesting season.