October 1, 2009

The Bluebird season ended in early September and we finished the season with a total of 10 Bluebirds being raised in our nest boxes. A pair of Carolina Wrens also took advantage of our hospitality and raised a family of four in one of the boxes.

With the arrival of fall, the Bluebirds have given up their territories and are now flocking together to roam around in mixed flocks over the winter. Here in Virginia they do not migrate, but are joined by migratory Bluebirds from up north.

A few small feathers were noted in one of our nest boxes. This indicates that one or more Bluebirds are probably using the box for roosting during the cooler evenings.

Photo is of a male bluebird delivering food and was taken last summer.

It's the box over in the right corner when you walk out of The Garden Center into the parking lot.

July 27, 2009

The nest box to the left in our rear yard has provided us with a new family of four young Carolina Wrens. They were born late last week and will fledge the nest within 14 days.

Unlike it's aggressive cousin the House Wren, these wrens display a prominent white eyebrow and are a joy to have in and around a garden. They will place their nest in a birdhouse, flower pot, hanging planter, mailbox, etc. The male can sing up to 40 versions of his song and will sing throughout the year.

July 6, 2009

Five more young bluebirds left their nest box along side our driveway late last week. This makes ten young birds these parents have raised on the property this season.

Since bluebirds are members of the thrush family, the young birds sport a speckled chest which they lose during the fall molt. The young become fairly self-sufficient within six weeks.

June 16, 2009
There are now five new Bluebird chicks in the nest box along the driveway. If all goes well, they will remain in the nest for the next two weeks before fledging.
The two other nest boxes in the back are active with House Sparrows and their nests continue to be removed. These sparrows are predators to the Bluebird.

June 10, 2009

The nest box along side the entrance driveway now contains a completed Bluebird nest with five new eggs. These eggs are about to hatch and most likely are the second nesting for the pair that raised the five nestlings earlier in one of the boxes at the rear of our property. Here in this part of Virginia, a pair can raise between 8 and 15 birds during the season.

Cool and wet days in April and early May delayed the start of the bluebird season by several weeks this year. But by late April, a pair of bluebirds did take up residence in one of the nest boxes here on our property. Since then, five eggs were laid and hatched, and five young bluebirds were raised and have already left their nest.

Currently, all three of our boxes show nesting activity underway. And in one of the boxes is the start of a second bluebird nest.

Earl Morris,

Virginia Bluebird Society

History of the Bluebirds Nest Box Activity

Three boxes were donated to the Garden Center by Hunting Hills Garden Club as a housewarming gift.

2006 Results (First Year)

Raised 8 Bluebirds

-5 Bluebirds, first nesting

-3 Bluebirds, second nesting

Raised 5 Tree Swallows

Raised 5 House Wrens

2007 Results

Raised 6 Bluebirds

-3 Bluebirds, first nesting

-3 Bluebirds, second nesting

Raised 5 Tree Swallows

2008 Results

Raised 14 Bluebirds

-5 Bluebirds, first nesting

-5 Bluebirds, second nesting

-4 Bluebirds, third nesting

2009 Results

Raised 10 Bluebirds

- 5 Bluebirds, first nesting

- 5 Bluebirds, second nesting

Raised 4 Carolina Wrens