Garden Birds – Western Bluebird Arrival

Lynne Cherot | March 7, 2013 | GARDEN KNOW HOW | 8 Comments
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This morning was very exciting, out bluebirds arrived. I’ve been monitoring their arrival date for several years, and they have always arrived between March 17-21 without fail. Today is only March 7th, so why are they here so early? I’m not complaining, just very surprised.

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Bluebirds Hatching / Sensible Gardening and Living

Western Bluebirds leave British Columbia around the end of October and migrate south, spending their winters in southwestern United States and Mexico. They live in open woodlands of pinyon-juniper, stands of mesquites or oak, coastal chaparral and desert.  When not breeding they are very social forming flocks of up to 100 birds.

Upon returning to British Columbia in the early spring, they look for open parklands and woodlands, edges of forests and have a penchant for ponderosa pine. This is where we come in as our farm is covered with ponderosa pine. The male and female pair search together for a proper nesting cavity or box, inspecting things carefully over a period of several days before making their choice.Since the 1950s there has been a bluebird population decline mostly due to the loss of habitat from logging, logging practices and urban sprawl.

The fact that our garden is home to several pairs each season is quite an honor. We do supply several blue bird boxes throughout the garden but they habitually pick out the same favorite bird house. Most years they manage to have two families with an average of 5 eggs each time.

Canada is not exactly know for its colorful birds like those in the tropics, however blue birds are beautiful. The males are a deep blue with rust and white accents, the females are less colorful with gray-brown feathers tinged with blue.

Participating in Fertilizer Friday with Tootsie Time

 

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About The Author

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Lynne Cherot

I've worked extensively in the nursery trade and display touring gardens, but now enjoy exploring my own gardens. I'm passionate about daylilies and operate a daylily farm alongside my husband who takes care of our apiary. Bees & flowers make a great team! Hopefully by sharing my garden knowlege, your gardening will be easier and more enjoyable.

8 Comments
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    Bruce Reply

    It is a beautiful bird and you are very lucky. Unfortunately the Western Blue Bird no longer lives in the Vancouver area or Vancouver Island but we do have the Stellars Jay (B.C’s provincial bird).

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      lynnespeak Reply

      I’ve read that bluebirds have abandoned your area which is a shame. We also have Stellars, squawky guys for sure.

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    Joy Reply

    Lynne girl you are so lucky to see these amazingly colourfull birds ! .. I think where you are , Spring comes much earlier than where I am in Ontario .. we have had a weird winter with nothing at first then lots of action afterward Christmas .. so it makes waiting for Spring a long arduous process .. but there is nothing that can be done about it but grit our teeth !
    Love that picture of that sweet little bird .. I still can’t get over how gorgeous it is : )
    Our Goldfinches are little beauties and we appreciate them when they arrive .. not for a while yet though !
    Joy : )

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      lynnespeak Reply

      One day last summer we had both bluebirds and goldfinches at our pond, I almost felt like we were in the tropics! Hang in there, Spring is just around the corner:)

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    Tootsie Reply

    thank you so much for linking in this weekend…I always love to grab inspiration from those who play along with my little party. I can’t hardly wait for spring to come…It will be so nice to play outside again for a few months!
    Your post gives me hope that I may not have too long to wait! I love the little birds singing in the garden
    I shared this post on the Tootsie Time facebook page
    I hope you will link in again every week!

    (¯`v´¯)
    `*.¸.*´Glenda/Tootsie
    ¸.•´¸.•*¨) ¸.•*¨)
    (¸.•´ (¸.•´ .•´ ¸¸.•¨¯`•

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      lynnespeak Reply

      Sounds like a good plan to me:)

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    self sagacity Reply

    Beautiful bird. Such a lively shade of feathers you have!

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      lynnespeak Reply

      A color that only nature can produce:)

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