Animal Friends~ Eastern Bluebird

I have been trying with some success for several years to encourage the Eastern Bluebirds here by installing nestboxes, and making my lawn a welcome place for them. Last year with the new nestboxes I bought, they raised several broods between two boxes. I have a lot of them again this year, and we've left some trees that are dying out to give them places to cavity nest. They are the target of a lot of predators including but not limited to raccoons, snakes, house sparrows (violent nest invaders), feral cats, hawks, squirrels and a number of others. It seems a wonder to me that any of them survive with all the dangers they face, but somehow they do. The bluebird pictured comes to the top of this evergreen every day to scout for mealworms. I love to hear them in the spring time when they are broody, they sound like they are having quiet little giggly conversations involving some sweet secrets between them, with their little chortles and chuckles. 

The Eastern Bluebird is one of my favorite Garden Animal Friends......have a  great day, wherever you garden. ~JB was here.

My Birdfeeder Setup

My birdfeeder setup is really simple. I need something that doesn't spoil easily, so I use the upright column feeders, that, by the way, are (supposed to be) squirrel-proof. I think that is mostly true. I stopped seeing so much seed wasted when I started using them, a very good thing, and I never have seen a squirrel hanging on one. I keep them on a pretty light limb, too so that maybe they'll fall off if they try. I'm a little mean that way. :)

Here's my setup.

Have a nice weekend! I have found that my germination posts seem to be pretty in demand so I'm going to do another post perhaps this weekend, regarding wildflower seed and stratification. Stay tuned!

~JB was here

More Guests in My Garden

Here are some more guests to my garden and lawn. I watered and fed everybody. We've all been a little stir  crazy. I'm glad for the recent relief. :)