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With assistance from the North American Bluebird Society (NABS) the reason why our Bluebirds abandoned their nest has been identified.

One day, while the Bluebirds were elsewhere, a Tree Swallow saw the unoccupied nest and promptly laid an egg in it as Tree Swallows are prone to do.

When the Bluebirds returned and saw the strange egg they were so upset that they left the nest permanently and flew off to build a new one.

The NABS representative advised us to relocate the nesting boX, clean it out and perhaps the Bluebirds would return thinking it was a new box.

Sure enough, a day or so later they returned and are visiting the 'new' box regularly but have not yet started to nest. They eat their food and then fly off to, presumably, their other nest where they may by now have fledglings.

It will be interesting to see in which nest they raise their second family.

Tree Swallows are themselves beautiful birds and we now have several flying around the yard looking for their old nesting site!

They are well-known for competing with Bluebirds for nesting boxes.

Next season we'll provide each type of bird with a box as, apparently, they co-exist quite happily unlike Bluebirds themselves who will not tolerate another Bluebird family within 100 yards or so.

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that is a cute story Phili. We have a similar problem here. We have random nesting boxes for the rocky mountain blue bird (I think that is his name) and the nests are cleared out ever spring by gawd knows who, and watched closely so the swallows stay away. I am guessing we have a blue bird society of some sort doing just what needs to be done to help the procreation of our lovely little blue buddies.

Speaking of birds, do you get the blue jay there? Gorgeous lovely bird indeed, until it opens it's mouth. Kind of like being in the local pub and watching this super model looking good until she speaks hehehehe

Yes Minks - we have Blue Jays here by the dozen.

What a noisy lot they are as you say.

They are beautiful creatures though so we'll have to forgive their bullying tactics.

Here's a picture of one.

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Great story and lovely photos, too, thanks.

Philadelphia Eagle wrote: Yes Minks - we have Blue Jays here by the dozen.

What a noisy lot they are as you say.

They are beautiful creatures though so we'll have to forgive their bullying tactics.

Here's a picture of one.


Sigh, they are gorgeous. Did you know they are related to the magpie?

They are indeed - and with similar nasty, noisy habits!

As a bird lover you may like to see this picture of one of the regular visitors to our feeders.

It's a Goldfinch and they crowd around the tube feeders and birdbath all day.

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great pics philly and such a cute story