Western Bluebirds Building a Nest photos by Larry Jordan
Last year I built my mom a bluebird house in the hope that she would be able to have a pair of Western Bluebirds grace her yard. She loved watching birds when she was a kid and I knew she would appreciate watching birds nesting in her own backyard. I was a bit surprised when she called me just a few days later to tell me that there were bluebirds in her backyard on top of the birdhouse!
My Mom’s Backyard
Her backyard is simple, maintenance free yard, with some flowering shrubs and trees as well as a few irises she planted by the fence. We put in a birdbath and a simple tray feeder and she had more avian visitors in no time.
Northern Mockingbird
A couple of weeks ago when I took her back home after a short stay at our house, I got up in the morning and counted over a dozen species of birds that I saw from her backyard within just a few hours. In addition to the Western Bluebirds nesting in her birdhouse, I saw a Northern Mockingbird and several Mourning Doves. The neighbor’s trees offered a great vantage point, not only for the bluebirds but House Finches, Lesser Goldfinches and this Anna’s Hummingbird.
Lesser Goldfinch Male
I spotted several Brewer’s Blackbirds and this American Robin sitting on her fence.
Flying overhead were Turkey Vultures, a Northern Harrier and a Great Egret!
There were also lots of Tree Swallows flying around. A few were eyeballing the already occupied birdhouse being defended by the male bluebird.
The funniest thing I saw in the few hours I spent birdwatching from her yard that morning was a California Quail running along the top of her fence! I quickly turned my camera to capture the fleeting female when I saw the male running after her!
It is nice to know that it doesn’t take much to get several avian visitors to your yard. A bird feeding station, a water source and a birdhouse and just about anyone will have many birds in their yard to enjoy.
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Your mother is lucky, I have a bluebird house out this year for the first time but it is not occupied yet.
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Hi Larry,
it seems to me that the yard of your mom is a very nice place to watch bird! She probably loves it. I do love this California quail!!!
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Terrific collection of birds in such a short while. Homes, water, food and some perches, and magic happens. Love the anna’s image, your beautiful goldfinch in the previous post and that image of your Mom!
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Aww, so sweet of you to build a birdhouse for Mom.
I wish I had that many birds come into our place. So far it’s just House Finches, House sparrows, Mourning Doves and an Occasional Scrub Jay.
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@Brad be careful that it doesn’t get taken over by House Sparrows before the Bluebirds get a chance
@Chris she does love to sit and relax in her yard and watch the birds. I love the Cedar Waxwing photo and thanks for the comment
@Vickie thank you so much. Congratulations on your participation in the Whooping Crane Migration effort. I love that story and that cause!
@Bob thanks. I think you had better never doubt Cynthia again. Ever!
OMG Larry. I haven’t been here for a while and look what I was missing! Such gorgeous photos of all of the birds. It makes it even more of a treat because only get the Eatern Bluebirds and Ruby-throated Hummingbirds so seeing yours is even more special. Your mother must love waking up every morning and seeing all of those lovely birds in her yard.
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@N8 great job on the 100th edition of IATB!
@Kim nice to hear from you again. I am glad to see you “addicted” to birding 😉
No Bluebirds here, but I keep hoping.
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