Birds are the most vivid expression of life
– epitaph Roger Tory Peterson chose for his tombstone.
I guesstimated that our second brood would hatch 01 June, but they are hatching earlier. I wasn’t home when Mama completed this clutch, so she may have done something a little different while we were gone.
I walked out on the patio with my coffee this morning and saw Daddy come in to his perch with the tiniest of bugs. That could only mean one thing. I opened the box to find two just hatched chicks with one half of an eggshell still in the nest. Baby bluebirds have an egg tooth on their upper beak that they use to go all the way around the middle of their egg. It always pops open into two exact halves. Then the female eats them to replenish her calcium depleted body. By evening a third chick had hatched and three eggs remained.
Every time I open the box to the sight and sounds of a new brood of bluebirds, it’s like 
Christmas morning. Bluebirds are truly one of God’s precious gifts to the world. It’s good to get lost in scenes like this occasionally. For a moment we realize that there are important things going on outside our pampered human lives. Perhaps far more important.
After nine years of hosting, my days and my neighborhood are filled with bluebirds. Something that makes both of us better, I think.
Total chicks fledged from this site is 76.
Second brood 2017
- First sign of nest building 07 May
- Nest completed 10 May
- First egg laid 11 May
- Second egg laid 12 May
- Third egg laid 13 May
- Fourth egg laid 14 May
- Fifth egg laid 15 May
- Sixth egg laid 16 May
- Incubation begins 17 May
- Three eggs hatch 29 May
- Fourth egg hatches 30 May
- Fifth egg hatches 31 May
- Six egg removed 02 June
Bluebird Diary 
Congratulations again on another successful brood. You’re right about maintaining an awareness of the wonderful things that continue to exist around us.
I truly enjoy these posts, Lindell.