And the winner is....

It seems official. I've been watching my feeder for the last few days and I haven't seen my Bluebirds. Today is my official "Feederwatch" day, and I hoped to get up early enough to catch them, but I haven't seen one all morning. The sparrows are definitely in control of the bird house and peace seems to be reigning in the yard.

The species of birds visiting the feeder have changed a lot as well. I have seen several Cowbirds, Goldfinches, Grackles, and Red-Winged Blackbirds. The Mourning Doves still visit, but in reduced numbers. With Spring comes fresh food for most of the birds and the number of visitors shows it. The Juncos, Chickadees and Woodpeckers are seen much less frequently. I haven't seen the first Cardinal this morning.

It is fun to see the nests pop up. Today, I had an "AHA!" moment as I looked at the pieces of grass on the stoop in front of the front door. I had noticed them before. It looked as though someone had recently mowed, but that wasn't the case. Then, I checked behind the wreath on the door, and there was the cause! The House Finches have built a nest in my wreath, just like they did last year!

It always surprises me that a door that is opened at least a few times each day seems like a suitable place to raise their young! As I faced the nest I couldn't see the birds at all so it makes a very nice hiding place for them.

When I open the door they fly off and watch me from the nearby Pear tree. Once the eggs hatch, we'll be careful not to use that door if possible.

Feederwatch officially ends next week, but I'll be watching all summer long. I learned so much from watching them. I can now identify some by flight, some by shape, and I'm beginning to pick out their songs. And sing they do! Their songs start early. With the windows open at night I may find my mornings start earlier too!

Messin' With Their Minds

They say it's not nice to fool Mother Nature. I've decided it's not nice to fool WITH Mother Nature either, but this week I tried.

Anyone who has read this blog knows I was not happy when the House Sparrows took over my Bluebird box. As spring returned this year, I watched the Bluebirds. Every day they would check out the box and who had moved in. The Sparrow watched as well, and I must say, everyone seemed very courteous. I never saw a bird fight. The Bluebirds weren't run off by the Sparrows. Papa Sparrow spent most mornings watching the yard from inside his box. Even so, Larry and I really wanted the Bluebirds to have their home back.


One day I decided to see if I could help the cause. I opened the box to check the nest. It was empty, so I removed it. I know that sounds mean. It was. And I felt really badly about it. The nest was beautifully made, with feathers from the bird attack we had a few weeks ago, and some grasses with feathery seed pods attached. The more I looked at it, the worse I felt. I hoped if it was gone, the Sparrows would sleep somewhere else for a couple of days and the Bluebirds would be able to move back in. After removing the nest I cleaned out the box well. At least that was a positive move. It really needed it.

Of course, you've probably figured out what happened. When I watched the box the next morning, the Sparrows were in it. Papa Sparrow surveyed the yard as he so often did, from inside the box. The Bluebirds didn't stand a chance.

Now, I really felt badly. These two little birds had spent quite a bit of time building a lovely nest. I had tucked the nest into an alcove high up under the deck the day before. So later in the day, while the Sparrows were out, and with a humble heart, I went and put the nest back in the house.

I can only imagine what Papa Sparrow thought when he returned once again to his house to find the nest back in place!


One thing I do know...Papa Sparrow spends much more time sitting on his perch outside of the box. I'm guessing he wants to make sure his nest doesn't disappear again!


Sorry Papa. I've learned my lesson. I won't fool with Mother Nature any more.