Como Park Bluebird Trail Update: May 15, 2017

Post contributed by Sharon, volunteer bluebird trail monitor:

Bluebirds usually lay between 3-5 blue
  eggs,but for the last few years we've
had a pair that lays 6 or 7
pale white eggs.

Nesting season is well underway this week—things can happen fast once they get going. Now there are 20 bluebird eggs in four nest boxes, six chickadee eggs in one box, and four tree swallow nests built. Two other boxes have some nesting materials inside but not enough to identify the creators. 

Chickadee eggs are smaller and speckled.

Como Park Bluebird Trail Update: May 2, 2017

Post contributed by Sharon, volunteer bluebird trail monitor:

The first bluebird eggs of the season.

On the trail today there are two bluebird nests, one with three eggs and the other with one. Tree swallows seem interested in several boxes, but haven’t yet started building any nests. Chickadees started a nest in one box, but may have been stopped from finishing it by tree swallows, even though last week I installed a chickadee entrance hole guard (at 1-1/4” the opening is too small for other birds like tree swallows). Things are off to a slow start this year.

Tree swallows seem to have claimed this box.

Como Park Bluebird Trail Update: April 17, 2017

Post contributed by Sharon, volunteer bluebird trail monitor:

No nests yet. Some years nest building begins earlier than others. In the past few years, the first nesting activities began as early as April 8 and as late as May 5. No doubt the bluebirds know what they are doing. Signs of spring are everywhere, and I heard squabbling bluebirds in two areas of the park.