Hi Everyone,
Well I was not succesful in starting my colony but I am on my third clutch of Bluebirds eggs. Nine fledged from the first two nests. I was just wondering how everyone does nest checks on Eastern Bluebirds? Everytime I go to open there box the male and female aggresively dive bomb me and come within inches of my head. Is this normal? Are they just not use to me? I would be curious to hear how nest checks go for anyone else that has Eastern Bluebirds.
Thanks
Mitch
Hesitant to do Bluebird nest checks....
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Mitch Booth
- Posts: 480
- Joined: Tue Jun 03, 2008 6:23 am
- Location: Akron, OH
- Martin Colony History: 2012 - 0
2013 - 1 pair, 4 eggs, 2 fledged
2014 - 0
2015 - 1 pair, 5 died during week of rain
2016 - 0
2017 - 1 pair, 4 eggs, 4 fledged
2018 - 4 pair, 19 eggs, 19 fledged
2019 - 7 pair
2020 - 17 pair
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bwenger
- Posts: 1057
- Joined: Thu Jul 14, 2005 7:24 pm
- Location: Pennsylvania/Espyville/Pymatuning Reservoir Area
- Martin Colony History: Taking care of 11 active public colonies and trying to start two more in northwestern PA. Also attempting to restart another one in southwestern PA, in Collier Township's Hilltop Park. In 2017, not sure what happened but the ASY male returned and then a couple of weeks later he was gone. It could have been weather related. No other birds showed up. I had a starling nesting at the Public site that I had trouble getting rid of.
In 2018, we fledged 629 martins at all of the sites.
Hi Mitch,
That's odd, I have never had any problems doing nest checks on bluebirds over the years. Not sure if it has to do with the amount of time that we feed them meal worms, and we also constantly talk to them whenever they are in the area.
Now tree swallows are another thing, they will dive bomb us and actually knocked off my daughters ball cap this year, so they tend to be a lot more agrressive, especially after their young are born.
Good luck with those birds.
Bill
That's odd, I have never had any problems doing nest checks on bluebirds over the years. Not sure if it has to do with the amount of time that we feed them meal worms, and we also constantly talk to them whenever they are in the area.
Now tree swallows are another thing, they will dive bomb us and actually knocked off my daughters ball cap this year, so they tend to be a lot more agrressive, especially after their young are born.
Good luck with those birds.
Bill
Hi Mitch,
That does seem somewhat odd. I think the more exposure you have to them they should then realize you are not a threat. Although in the past I have been dive bombed, but that was only because I was standing in the area where the babys were perched shortly after they had fledged.
Tom
That does seem somewhat odd. I think the more exposure you have to them they should then realize you are not a threat. Although in the past I have been dive bombed, but that was only because I was standing in the area where the babys were perched shortly after they had fledged.
Tom
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jim h
- Posts: 31
- Joined: Thu Jan 29, 2009 12:03 pm
- Location: Fl. Plant City
- Martin Colony History: We have been landlords since 2010.
In 2015 we hosted 50 + pair.
Hey Mitch,We have had the same BB couple for I know the last three years. I guess they are just use to us being around as I have never been dive bombed. I think they just get to the point that they trust you for looking out for them.
These birds are such a pleasure to have around .We enjoy having them here on our property year round.
We had a total of seven fledged babies this year from this couple and eleven last year.
These birds are such a pleasure to have around .We enjoy having them here on our property year round.
We had a total of seven fledged babies this year from this couple and eleven last year.
My Bluebirds raise 3 batches of babies per year normally. 13 total last year and 11 this year. I look in the nest daily with no problems from the parents. I even watched the second group fledge this year. It was awesome. I also have a birdbath close to their house and see a lot of action there. Last year I had 7 BB in the bath at the same time!!!
KellyG
It's not all that unusual. I maintain a decent sized BB trail, and I always have one or two pairs that will dive bomb me. The male usually snaps his beak together quickly making a clicking sound. It's not common in BB's as a whole, but when you get one that does that, they don't stop. If that pair nests in your yard again next year, they will do the same thing. I had one male that always nested close to one of our barns, he dive bombed (sorry to all the English teachers) me every nest check, every week, for 3 years running.
I have a bluebird trail that I check at least weekly. Just like people, birds have different personalities, and some are more tolerant of our intrusions than others. Some females are so protective of their eggs/young that they won't leave the nest when I take the box down to check them. Others fly out of the box when they hear me coming. I always talk quietly to them as I approach, to give them a chance to leave, if they want to.
I have also had the occasional male dive-bomb me and click his beak at me every time I checked their box. Most just watch from a distance. When I leave, they fly right back again.
I have also had the occasional male dive-bomb me and click his beak at me every time I checked their box. Most just watch from a distance. When I leave, they fly right back again.
Peggy, MN Chisago County