A couple of days ago, I shared the heartbreaking story of my Eastern Bluebird chicks that vanished overnight: Eastern Bluebird Chicks Vanish: Mystery at the Backyard Birdhouse. The mystery remains unsolved. I still don’t know what happened to those chicks.
But I did take action.
Relocating the Birdhouse to Protect Nesting Bluebirds
After reviewing the setup, I realized a tall sunflower had grown dangerously close to the birdhouse. It provided an easy climbing path for predators, especially snakes. I decided to relocate the nest box to a more open area, away from tall plants and with better visibility. What looked ideal to me before wasn’t safe enough for the birds.
This new spot gives the bluebirds a clear view of their surroundings. Hopefully, it also gives them a better chance this time around.
Eastern Bluebirds Show Resilience and Begin Again
Despite losing their entire brood, the male and female Eastern Bluebirds didn’t abandon the area. They didn’t leave in search of another nesting site. Instead, they stayed. They chose to rebuild right here.
I watched as the female inspected the relocated birdhouse, flying in and out several times. The male joined in. The very next day, she began gathering materials for a new nest.
Note: In the first photo, the male Eastern Bluebird has nesting material in his beak, but I never saw him place it inside the birdhouse. In fact, I observed him removing bits of material from the nest rather than adding to it. This behavior isn’t unusual, males often help by clearing out old debris or rearranging the nest area while the female does most of the building.
Nesting Efforts Resume With New Material
The female has been busy carrying soft grasses and pine needles, while the male remains close by, keeping a watchful eye over the territory. Their teamwork is inspiring. I’ve been checking on them daily from a respectful distance, camera in hand, documenting each step.
Third Nesting Attempt Brings New Hope
This has been a wild year for the Eastern Bluebirds in my yard. It started with the story of the solo bluebird mother who raised chicks alone, and now this. I’m hopeful this third attempt brings better luck.
This time, I’m ready to capture a happy ending.
New nest and brood
Thank you for sharing this story. Let’s hope for a success with the new best and brood.