Outdoor Ontario

Birding Reports => Backyard Birding => Topic started by: RKD on February 06, 2011, 08:41:55 AM

Title: Bluebirds
Post by: RKD on February 06, 2011, 08:41:55 AM: I"m so excited!! Just had a flock of 5 bluebirds come check out our feeders. During their 10 minute stay they checked out all the feeders, had drinks from the waterbath and then got spooked and left. We have both commercial suet and homemade and they were eating both.
This makes my day!! Hope they come back
I'll post pictures in a bit
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Post by: RKD on February 06, 2011, 09:09:52 AM: Pictures not too bad considering I took them through unclean windows

(http://i283.photobucket.com/albums/kk307/scoliboymom/IMG_4974.jpg)

(http://i283.photobucket.com/albums/kk307/scoliboymom/IMG_4983.jpg)

(http://i283.photobucket.com/albums/kk307/scoliboymom/IMG_4985.jpg)

(http://i283.photobucket.com/albums/kk307/scoliboymom/IMG_4980.jpg)

(http://i283.photobucket.com/albums/kk307/scoliboymom/IMG_4994.jpg)

[/img]
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Post by: RKD on February 06, 2011, 09:12:01 AM: Just a quick question of all you experts. To me they all look like males. Am I wrong in this assumption?
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Post by: Axeman on February 06, 2011, 11:00:21 PM: I'm no expert...but I think they all look like males too....fabulous pix !!!

So umm....they're back early, right?
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Post by: Bird Brain on February 06, 2011, 11:05:51 PM: Beautiful! :D I've only ever sighted one of these colourful guys many years ago at Sibbald Point, Lake Simcoe.
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Post by: Axeman on February 06, 2011, 11:47:21 PM: RKD, whereabouts are you located?
Title: Re: Bluebirds
Post by: Halton Hills on February 07, 2011, 08:14:24 AM: Quote from: "RKD"
I'm so excited!! Just had a flock of 5 bluebirds come check out our feeders.

ahhhh.......the deal was we were supposed to share our Bluebirds.......and I haven't seen any yet...... :wink:

Maybe these are from my clutch last year ...... lol ....... either way I'm very happy for you...... :)

Won't be long before we need to order some mealworms.

Here's last summers nesting pair.......good comparison showing the female / male

Click....... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yUWNVp9No3A (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yUWNVp9No3A)

P.S. @ Axle ....... she's down the road from me in Glen Williams

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Post by: RKD on February 07, 2011, 09:02:54 AM: Thanks for the comments.

They came back repeatedly yesterday and they are back again this morning. They were also checking out the bluebird box we installed last year.

Regarding the sharing....With 5 apparent males I'm happy to share, just have to find some females now. But I'll warn you , we have a number of bluebird boxes installed on our property ....even though they've never been occupied by Bluebirds lol.

and yes Axle, Glen Williams is where we are at.
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Post by: Axeman on February 07, 2011, 04:56:30 PM: yeah my boxes are used by wrens...no bluebirds...I guess that's better than starlings...
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Post by: Axeman on February 07, 2011, 04:57:35 PM: kinda neat how three of them can perch on the suet feeder...I find the chickadees, jays and juncos take turns at my feeders...
Title: Halton Hills Bleu Birds
Post by: Napper on February 07, 2011, 05:58:16 PM: Hey HH

Are those Mealworms in your little feeder re:youtube June 2010?

Where did you get them?

Napper

Milton
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Post by: Halton Hills on February 07, 2011, 08:20:20 PM: .

Yep......Mealworms through the mail..... :roll: ......I went through 4000 last summer......well.....not me.....the Bluebirds

Get them from Natalie at Best Bug & Feeders out of Markdale * Tel: (519)986-1996 * Email: natalie@bestbugandfeeders.com

Discount price for Ontario Eastern Bluebird Society members......I think last year they were $3.50 per 1000......plus postage

They are around $5 for 100 at the local pet store...... :shock:

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Post by: Axeman on February 07, 2011, 10:00:30 PM: Soooo if I set up a feeder with mealworms....will I get bluebirds? We're supposed to have lots around up here (West Grey) but I haven't seen any...
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Post by: Halton Hills on February 08, 2011, 09:28:52 AM: .

I guess you could try it once it warms up.......in a feeder designed to minimize poaching by other birds.

My Bluebirds were trained to swoop in immediately and gobble up the 20 or so wriggleys.......meaning I could get away with a simple cup.

But the Wrens may be your biggest problem......as they will kill any Bluebird clutches...... :(

Ideally.......you need to locate the nestboxes in an open grassy area at least 150 feet from wooded or brushy habitat.

You can also twin some boxes in the trees with a smaller design to give the Wrens a better choice and hopefully encourage them to stay in that area.

But if you don't have the space or the time to closely monitor an ideal breeding habitat......then it will most likely end tragically

and it may be best not to encourage the Bluebirds to set up shop.

Here are a couple of feeder ideas......not sure how well they work:

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(http://i615.photobucket.com/albums/tt232/HH12345/3004_300.jpg)

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(http://i615.photobucket.com/albums/tt232/HH12345/5349_300.jpg)

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Post by: northerner2 on February 08, 2011, 05:21:38 PM: Very nice ! Is this normal for Bluebirds here at this time of year ?
Must be global warming...
:P
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Post by: RKD on February 17, 2011, 09:40:29 AM: Just wanted to report back on the Bluebirds. They disappeared over the really cold days but have been making daily appearences again for the past few warmer days.
As we had wrens nesting here last summer maybe encouraging the bluebirds isn't the greatest idea, thanks for the advice HH. Have you seen them up your way yet?
I do enjoy watching them. They have such interesting flight patterns and love the way they congregate together on the feeders, great sharers
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Post by: Halton Hills on February 17, 2011, 01:41:29 PM: .

Nope.....haven't seen anything here...... :cry: ........but then again, haven't been outside too much either.

Glad to hear they came back to see you..... :wink:

Are the males vocalizing when they're around your feeders?

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Post by: Halton Hills on February 18, 2011, 09:26:44 AM: .

I knew as I posted yesterday I would eat my words...... :lol: ......WooHoo.......they're baaaaack !!!

At around 9:00 am while I was on the deck BBQ'ing..... :shock: ......I noticed a male sitting on the scarecrow.

He then flew over to the box and went inside for a look-see......I'm fairly optimistic that it passed the "Holmes Inspection"

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Post by: Bingoye on February 19, 2011, 11:21:48 AM: How nice they are! Jealous!
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Post by: RKD on February 19, 2011, 04:47:17 PM: Wow, I'm so happy for you. SO have you just seen the male? No females yet?
I've been gone the last day and a half so not sure if they have deserted me...hope not!!
I haven't been outside when they are here so no I haven't been aware of them vocalizing. Will keep you posted especially if they decide to stay
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Post by: Halton Hills on February 19, 2011, 07:30:39 PM: .

Just the one male so far and he was "talking" a little bit....... :wink:

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Post by: ERC on March 19, 2011, 10:19:38 PM: Quote from: "northerner2"
Very nice ! Is this normal for Bluebirds here at this time of year ?
Must be global warming...
:P

Bluebirds can survive here all year round, provided they have an adequate food source, but the majority of them still migrate. Much like Robins or Goldfinches: you see them from time to time in the winter, but they're much scarcer than they will be during the warmer months. Mind you, I've not personally seen Bluebirds during the winter, but then there aren't any living in my area either.
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Post by: Luv2Bird on March 21, 2011, 09:43:28 PM: RKD ... how nice for you to have Bluebirds ... pls keep us informed if they stay. Very exciting.
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Post by: RKD on March 21, 2011, 10:27:15 PM: well they stuck around for almost a couple weeks but have not come back since...very disappointing. I guess my Bluebird boxes were not up to their standards lol. Or maybe they remember my neighbour up the street (Halton Hills) and the nice meal worms he serves up lol. I'll be sure to let you know if they return