Bluebird Bulletin: Part 1

Bluebirds Arrive, Nesting Begins! (April, 2025)

Welcome to the very first entry in our bluebird bulletins! Join us as we recount the exciting beginnings, from the hopeful first glimpse of blue announcing their return, to the industrious flurry of activity as they chose their spot and diligently began to build their sweet little home. We’ll share the early stages of construction, watching their dream nest slowly take shape, each beakful of soft grass adding to their cozy creation.  We’re so glad you’re here to share this heartwarming experience with us!

First Sign of Blue: The Early Arrivals

Isn’t it amazing how early the eastern bluebirds get a jump on spring? They’re often back here in Pennsylvania in late February, even when it’s still flurrying – that’s how I got that snowy shot! (Check out “Azure on Winter White” here.) Mister Bluebird immediately starts calling dibs on his favorite spots, and we were thrilled when he decided our place was the place to be! Then, the bluebird suitor turns into an eager little real estate agent, showing off all sorts of potential homes, like cozy holes in trees or those cute bluebird boxes we put up. But Missus Bluebird? She’s the picky one, carefully checking out each spot until she finds just the right one to build their family nest. And while we’re all waiting for the calendar to flip to spring, these little guys are going by the weather, waiting for the temperature to tell them it’s time. It’s like this whole secret world happening before the real hustle and bustle of nesting even begins!

Home Sweet Home: Construction Begins

Our bluebird B&B was open for business! Our nestbox camera was selected and installed, and our first guest arrived within 24 hours of the “vacancy” sign going up. Soon, the empty chamber began its transformation, with dried grasses being meticulously woven into a fluffy mattress. This initial video offers a glimpse of the bare room’s makeover from its stark beginnings in the  morning of day one into the foundation of their nest by day’s end. Mama bluebird essentially custom-fits the nest by fluttering her wings and snuggling into the grasses, creating a personal, bowl-shaped depression. This video, created by Brian, showcases the complete first day of nest construction, focusing solely on the times mama bluebird was working.

I was so tempted to play interior designer for mama bluebird, especially since the nest seemed a bit scratchy with all that rough grass. Knowing bluebirds prefer a soft touch for their nursery, I put out a buffet of nesting options nearby – fresh and dried pine needles, crumbly dead leaves, soft moss, and finely snipped feathers, even offering some in their feeding tray (more details in the blog). While a few feathers made the cut, most of my offerings were politely refused. Talk about discerning decorators! Interestingly, the materials did vanish over time, so perhaps other feathered neighbors appreciated the stash.

Building the Dream: Nest Construction Continues

Mama bluebird turned nest building into a month-long home renovation saga! The digital grapevine suggested a swift four-to-five-day construction, maybe stretching to two weeks. Missus Bluebird had her own leisurely schedule, drawing out the process through April and into May. There were moments when we wondered if our bluebird house had been abandoned, perhaps in favor of another potential “starter home”. Mama bluebirds sometimes get started building several different nests before the final one is chosen. If our mama was doing that, you can just imagine papa bluebird doing face-palms, wondering when they’d finally pick a home address.  We even had a persistent chickadee trying to stage a hostile takeover of our prime real estate. Adding to the mystery, papa bluebird was occasionally seen removing pieces of the mattress, perhaps relocating materials to another of mama’s projects or maybe just vetoing some of her initial, less-than-baby-soft choices. Around April 18th, though, the construction kicked into high gear; the nest began to rise and deepen, with beakful after beakful of soft grasses arriving like deliveries of premium bedding. Mama became a constant presence, meticulously fluffing and shaping her creation, truly a labor of love. Interestingly, it seems mama bluebird’s nesting drive was directly tied to the thermometer – the warmer and sunnier the day, the more diligently she worked on crafting her perfect nursery.

From Wunderground.com

This little chickadee was determined to snag the bluebirds’ prime real estate! Watch the clip.

Stay tuned for our next installment, where the anticipation builds as we delve into the fascinating process of bluebird egg laying – from understanding the typical timeline to the thrilling moment our first precious blue gem arrived! We’ll also share the dramatic events that unfolded with an unwelcome visitor causing trouble in the nest, and how we learned to distinguish the potential culprits in the wren family. Finally, we’ll settle into the quiet watch as devoted mama bluebird begins the crucial period of keeping her eggs warm, patiently waiting for new life to emerge. You won’t want to miss the next chapter!

To stay totally current and peek into their cozy nursery, be sure to check out our bluebird nest cam on our YouTube channel. I’ve been lucky enough to capture some beautiful and unique bluebird shots! The most recent are posted on Facebook . There’s a gorgeous collection at AzarElGreetings.com along with our craft show schedule.