Don't think there's any water over there...

[nlbarber]

There's a crowd at the bird bath--2 robins all plumped up against the 20° (F) cold, and 3 cedar waxwings, plus more robins on the ground. But it appears that the waxwings are hopping around on top of what should be the water, so I think things are frozen solid. I may take a pan of warm water out shortly to (briefly) provide some liquid.

Over at the feeder area it's bluebird city--2 males, 3 females. Plus a wren, the usual collection of house finches, and a downy and a red-bellied woodpecker are trading places on the suet, running off the bluebirds. A dark-eyed junco just appeared to scavenge on the ground.

I noted a female bluebird going in the nest box this morning. Do they use the nest for shelter at this time of year, or are they nesting already? Seems a little early, and I haven't cleaned out the box from last year. I thought I had at least a month or so before I needed to do that...

Comments

[gryphons-lair.livejournal.com]

I noted a female bluebird going in the nest box this morning. Do they use the nest for shelter at this time of year, or are they nesting already?

That question came up on my Birding list recently. Yes, they're using it for shelter. They won't start mating/nesting for a couple of months yet.

[nlbarber]

Thanks!

[kk1raven.livejournal.com]

Not only do bluebirds use boxes for shelter, they will go so far as to stuff themselves into the box until it is packed full if it is really cold.

[nlbarber]

I really must start keeping a better eye on the bluebird house, in hopes of catching a glimpse of some of this behavior...