This has been a successful year so far in Bluebird production in the vineyard! I'm assuming to the early rise in temperature and variety of food they got an early start! The bluebirds started in the second week in April preparing their first brood, in both boxes, different pairs! The first box had 4 successful fledglings and the second had 5! In the first week of June I cleaned the boxes out promptly and then a day or so later the second brood was being prepared by both pairs! The first box laid 5 eggs and the second had 5! Both pairs eggs hatched within three days of another, the first box being the older pair, their eggs hatched first! In both boxes all babies were successful in their hatching process! I checked the babies daily, and found that one of the babies in the first box was missing! This was uncommon, and I'm assuming the nestling was weak or ill and the parents got rid of the nestling! Both boxes fledged babies! The first box 4 fledged and the second 4 as well! Pretty successful year! I cleaned the boxes out expecting the bluebird pairs to be finished for the year! I was totally surprised when I checked the first box and there was a nest fully made! Uhmm! I monitored it early this week and she laid on Tuesday, she laid not one but, two eggs in a day! I found this quite odd, along with the third brood which only happens like 3% in the East due to weather conditions and adequate food supply! Yesterday while working in the vineyard I noticed the Bluebird pair in the 2nd box making their third brood also! Crazy!! I'm monitoring these nest for a white egg which is rare but wouldn't be surprised if it happened! This is my story for the day I will blog the outcome of the third brood later in the next month!
Since 2009-2012 I have successfully raised 34 bluebirds in two bird houses! Quite impressive!
House Finch-1 Cowbird-0