I've not seen any blues checking out the nestbox in over two months nor have I heard them anywhere in the neighborhood. For the past two seasons, they have always shown up several times a week, even during Dec. and Jan. They seem to get pretty serious in mid Feb. and begin nestbuilding in mid to late March. I'm wondering if our unusually cold weather with record breaking lows, might be a factor. But they have never been AWOL this long! I do have suet but they have never been interested. It may be somewhat premature to get discouraged at this point...any ideas? Thanks!
At this time of year they are following the food sources. I wouldn't worry at all. Since natural food sources change from year to year, I'm sure they are just feasting elsewhere. I'm sure they'll be back come nesting time.
Mine leave for several months but I am sure they dont go far. Karen's stay year round and she is only about an hour drive from here. As far as I know "mine" could be just 1/2 mile away where there are lots of wild berries. Yours will be back.
Thanks Kendra and Lisa for the encouragement! Nothing would excite me more than seeing my blues again so I will be optimistic that once again, they take up residence here! Nesting season will be here before you know it!
I don't remember where you are, but here in St.Louis MO our Blues stay thruout the winter months. Do you offer mealworms? We serve ours live mealies everyday and they come everyday without fail.
As always, fantastic picture Ken. Like Ken, I feed mealworms during the winter. I'm up in MA and I rarely see any Bluebirds in the summer months, but I get to feed them in the winter. I can't just put out a bowl of mealworms though. All the larger birds, and even chipmunks eat them if I do. So I have a feeder with a stovepipe baffle under it to keep undesirables out.
