Three blue eggs

Mama II was inside the box most of the morning yesterday.  The birds showed up for breakfast as usual about 8:00 a.m.  They normally land on their perch and then move to the feeder.  The feeder is now at the very edge of the covered patio for my convenience, but the bluebirds are comfortable to feed there with me visible through the windows.  Daddy picked up several worms and fed Mama while she was still on the perch.

I checked the box after noon and found Mama had laid her third egg.  Some neighbor ladies came over yesterday afternoon and I showed them the eggs.  People who aren’t normally birders seem to enjoy bluebirds.  They are so sociable and beautiful, it’s easy to see why they are so popular with people.

This morning Carolyn gave out a shout for me to get int the kitchen quick.  A female House Sparrow was on top of the box, leaning over eyeing the entrance.  The bluebirds were not around to chase her away, so I stepped outside and ran off the handful of sparrows that I can’t seem to trap.  It would have been disastrous if that sparrow would have entered the box.  She would have destroyed the bluebird eggs for sure.

It’s a little cool and cloudy today, so I’m not sure if Mama will give us a fourth egg. Keep in touch with our diary and we will post her progress.

See more bluebird and nature photos on my flickr stream http://www.flickr.com/photos/reddirtpics/

First Brood Summary

• First sign of nest building                09 March
• Nest completed                                   15 March
• First egg laid                                        18 March
• Second egg laid                                   19 March
• Third egg laid                                      20 March