Yesterday, August 4, I discovered that the second pair of nesting Eastern Bluebird chicks had fledged. Unfortunately, I didn’t get to witness these young birds leave the nest because their birdhouse was located on the far side of my property. This spot made it harder to watch them like I could with the first pair.
I did manage to photograph the parents a few times as they brought food to their chicks. In these moments, the adults were busy and focused, carrying insects and caterpillars back to the nest box. I limited my visits since this pair seemed more cautious about my presence compared to the earlier brood.
Likely the Last Nesting for the Season
Given the time of year, I’m confident this will be the final nesting for the Eastern Bluebirds in my yard for 2025. After the first brood fledged, I replaced their birdhouse with a new one, and almost immediately a Bluebird arrived to inspect it. While these late-season attempts can be successful, the window for raising another brood is closing quickly.
Birdhouses Stay Up Year-Round
I keep my birdhouses up throughout the year, a practice that benefits not only bluebirds but other species as well. In a previous post, I explained why you should leave birdhouses up year-round. It’s a simple step that provides shelter in winter and gives cavity-nesting birds a head start in spring.
Watching the Eastern Bluebird second pair raise their chicks has been a rewarding part of my summer. Even though I missed the fledging moment, seeing healthy parents and knowing another brood took flight is enough to make the effort worthwhile.