Sharing A Bluebird Story

@CarolDM (203454)
Nashville, Tennessee
May 8, 2022 2:59pm CST
I posted the roses earlier from Dustin's garden. Along with a Bluebird. Nobody seems to have noticed the yellow "thingy" blowing in the wind from the bird house. Except two of you. Thank you, as you know who you are. First of all it is a wind sock. But it is much more than that in my backyard. Also, the wind has changed directions, but that is not the point of the post. When the bluebirds start laying their first egg, it is recommended to put up a "sparrow spooker" of some sort. Yes you read that correctly. Those adorable little sparrows are enemies of the bluebirds. In fact, just a few weeks ago, a sparrow killed a male bluebird in this house. The nest had just been started. He was trapped inside. The sparrow attacked and killed him. Unfortunately I found him. Very tragic day. Only a few days later, a different male bluebird showed up with his little lady. Ready to start over. So... after the nest was built and the first egg was seen, up went the sparrow spooker. The purpose is to create a diversion to hopefully keep the sparrows away. Sometimes it works, other times not so much. Even after the eggs are laid, the sparrows can attack. And that has happened in my backyard as well. But it is worth a try, and I will continue to try anything to keep the bluebirds safe. I will stop for now. I know many will be bored by the long post. Often times many may not have the time to read more than a few sentences at a time. I will end with saying that so far, there ere FIVE bluebird eggs in the house. Fingers crossed they will be safe. Sparrows are not the only predator. Photo is mine. Was able to get both bluebirds in this photo. The male and female.
25 people like this
26 responses
@rebelann (111033)
• El Paso, Texas
8 May 22
I hope that sock works, I hope you'll soon see a bluebird family flittering about. Sparrows are just about all we have besides mourning doves. There is one bird that sings beautifully but I have yet to get a close enough look at him to see what he looks like.
5 people like this
@CarolDM (203454)
• Nashville, Tennessee
8 May 22
I certainly hope so too. It was horrible to see what I did a week or so ago. I get really close with these birds. Sparrows are enjoyed by many. Just not by bluebirders. And I never knew this until the last ten years.
4 people like this
@rebelann (111033)
• El Paso, Texas
8 May 22
I've read that the world of birds is very ruthless.
4 people like this
@CarolDM (203454)
• Nashville, Tennessee
8 May 22
@rebelann Especially during mating season.
4 people like this
@marlina (154166)
• Canada
8 May 22
Good shot and good luck to the 5 eggs.
4 people like this
@marlina (154166)
• Canada
9 May 22
@CarolDM , I hope so too!
2 people like this
@CarolDM (203454)
• Nashville, Tennessee
8 May 22
Thanks, I hope they all make it.
4 people like this
@Ronrybs (17813)
• London, England
9 May 22
Didn't know that sparrows attack Bluebirds, nature can be harsh. Hope the new residents make it okay.
1 person likes this
@Ronrybs (17813)
• London, England
9 May 22
@CarolDM Course, you can't stand guard over the nesting site or that would drive the birds away. Not an easy one to sove
1 person likes this
@CarolDM (203454)
• Nashville, Tennessee
9 May 22
I didn’t know either until I started learning about the bluebirds. I do what I can to help them. Thanks I hope so too.
1 person likes this
@CarolDM (203454)
• Nashville, Tennessee
9 May 22
@Ronrybs I am just enjoying seeing the bluebirds after a two year absence.
1 person likes this
@RubyHawk (99425)
• Atlanta, Georgia
9 May 22
I hope the bluebird will be safe. I didn’t know that sparrows kill bluebirds.
2 people like this
@RubyHawk (99425)
• Atlanta, Georgia
9 May 22
@CarolDM I’m sorry, that’s so terrible.
1 person likes this
@CarolDM (203454)
• Nashville, Tennessee
9 May 22
Thanks and yes they have killed several in my backyard.
1 person likes this
@CarolDM (203454)
• Nashville, Tennessee
9 May 22
@RubyHawk It is all part of nature sadly.
1 person likes this
@Chellezhere (5363)
• United States
8 May 22
I knew it was a windsock, but would have never guessed it was a sparrow spook. I pray it keeps them out.
2 people like this
@CarolDM (203454)
• Nashville, Tennessee
8 May 22
Yes it seems to help, I hope they stay safe. Thank you.
1 person likes this
• United States
8 May 22
@CarolDM You're welcome.
1 person likes this
@CarolDM (203454)
• Nashville, Tennessee
8 May 22
@Chellezhere Have a good evening.
1 person likes this
@aninditasen (15720)
• Raurkela, India
9 May 22
I love birds but I don't like birds attacking other birds. Hope the sparrow stays away from the blue birds.
1 person likes this
@aninditasen (15720)
• Raurkela, India
10 May 22
@CarolDM That's true. And we have to bear it. I try to stop wherever I see small birds being attacked.
1 person likes this
@CarolDM (203454)
• Nashville, Tennessee
10 May 22
@aninditasen It is like everything in life. We take the bad with the good.
1 person likes this
@CarolDM (203454)
• Nashville, Tennessee
9 May 22
It is all part of the process sadly. Thanks.
1 person likes this
@RebeccasFarm (86282)
• United States
9 May 22
I am happy to know they have a better chance with the sparrow spook Carol
1 person likes this
• United States
9 May 22
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@CarolDM (203454)
• Nashville, Tennessee
9 May 22
Thank you, fingers crossed.
1 person likes this
@wolfgirl569 (94571)
• Marion, Ohio
9 May 22
Hope they all hatch and grow up. Nature can be cruel. I never heard that about something like a windsock helping
1 person likes this
@CarolDM (203454)
• Nashville, Tennessee
9 May 22
I do too Eva. Nature is cruel for sure. I can imagine it is worse outside my yard. I do my part. Some will get creative and build their own spooks, with PVC pipe, etc.
1 person likes this
@wolfgirl569 (94571)
• Marion, Ohio
10 May 22
@CarolDM I have seen some nasty stuff. But it is part of life.
1 person likes this
@CarolDM (203454)
• Nashville, Tennessee
10 May 22
@wolfgirl569 Same here.
1 person likes this
@Hannihar (129333)
• Israel
9 May 22
@CarolDM So in other words since the sparrows are not the only enemies of the bluebirds who else is their enemy?
1 person likes this
@Hannihar (129333)
• Israel
10 May 22
@CarolDM Can the cats get to the sparrows before they do any damage?
1 person likes this
@CarolDM (203454)
• Nashville, Tennessee
9 May 22
Snakes, hawks, house wrens, raccoons, and of course cats.
1 person likes this
@CarolDM (203454)
• Nashville, Tennessee
10 May 22
@Hannihar If they are fast enough.
1 person likes this
@nela13 (55688)
• Portugal
9 May 22
So the yellow wind sock works a sparrow spook, great idea
1 person likes this
@nela13 (55688)
• Portugal
9 May 22
@CarolDM poor bluebirds
1 person likes this
@CarolDM (203454)
• Nashville, Tennessee
9 May 22
Yes it seems to help some, but they are still a threat.
1 person likes this
@CarolDM (203454)
• Nashville, Tennessee
9 May 22
@nela13 Nature can be very cruel.
@dgobucks226 (34292)
9 May 22
That's very sad. I have many sparrows which come to my feeder but no bluebirds here. Are they similar in size or is the sparrow larger. Never knew they were so aggressive
1 person likes this
@dgobucks226 (34292)
10 May 22
@CarolDM I'm speechless
1 person likes this
@CarolDM (203454)
• Nashville, Tennessee
10 May 22
@dgobucks226 I know. I was too when it happened. And not the first time.
1 person likes this
@CarolDM (203454)
• Nashville, Tennessee
9 May 22
Very much so. And I wish I did not witness that. But it is part of the process. I can only imagine how hard it is in the wild, without my assistance. The sparrow is smaller.
1 person likes this
@oahuwriter (26780)
• United States
9 May 22
Nature can be in cruel. I hope too, the pretty bluebirds left in peace to raise their young.
1 person likes this
@oahuwriter (26780)
• United States
10 May 22
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@CarolDM (203454)
• Nashville, Tennessee
9 May 22
Yes it can be and I have to remember that each year.
1 person likes this
@arunima25 (85238)
• Bangalore, India
9 May 22
That's a lovely picture. I didn't read the earlier post. I am sure that I would have been the third person to be inquisitive about the yellow thing. I hope that the sparrow spook works out and soon you have healthy bluebird family.
1 person likes this
@arunima25 (85238)
• Bangalore, India
11 May 22
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@CarolDM (203454)
• Nashville, Tennessee
9 May 22
Thank you. It makes a good decoration, especially with all the wind we have lately. Thank you again.
1 person likes this
9 May 22
not sure what a bluebird is , although they are suppose to fly over the white cliffs of dover , but I doubt it
1 person likes this
@CarolDM (203454)
• Nashville, Tennessee
9 May 22
There are two in the photo. Not sure about the 1940's war birds, but the ones here are thriving.
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9 May 22
@CarolDM they were never here , not sure why they are in the song
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@snowy22315 (169445)
• United States
9 May 22
Oh wow, very interesting, I never knew about the rivalaries between bluebirds and sparrows. I don'f often see bluebirds around here.
1 person likes this
@CarolDM (203454)
• Nashville, Tennessee
9 May 22
You would never know until you get into the bluebird process.
1 person likes this
@FourWalls (61851)
• United States
9 May 22
Those are beautiful birds. I didn’t know that was the purpose of a wind sock. I thought they were strictly decorative. Thanks for the education!
1 person likes this
@CarolDM (203454)
• Nashville, Tennessee
9 May 22
My Bluebirds of Happiness. You are very welcome.
1 person likes this
@GreatMartin (23677)
• Ft. Lauderdale, Florida
9 May 22
We have bluebirds that visit every year--think they are from the same family as they perch, build a nest and lay eggs on the same branch every year!! No one bothers them!
1 person likes this
@CarolDM (203454)
• Nashville, Tennessee
9 May 22
I have never seen them nest on a branch. Glad you see them. I love the Bluebirds.
@Deepizzaguy (94185)
• Lake Charles, Louisiana
8 May 22
The sock as well as the bluebird look nice in this image.
1 person likes this
@Deepizzaguy (94185)
• Lake Charles, Louisiana
9 May 22
@CarolDM You are welcome.
1 person likes this
@CarolDM (203454)
• Nashville, Tennessee
8 May 22
Thanks so very much.
1 person likes this
@andriaperry (116860)
• Anniston, Alabama
9 May 22
I seen a few bluebird's this year. I didn't know that sparrows killed them.
1 person likes this
@CarolDM (203454)
• Nashville, Tennessee
9 May 22
Sparrows are a predator and are in competition with the bluebirds. They will kill them and build on top of them. Hard to see.
1 person likes this
@LindaOHio (155160)
• United States
9 May 22
With the larger picture I can now see that it's a windsock. That is horrible. I had no idea that happened in your yard. The bluebirds are so pretty. I hope they can raise their family without any drama.
1 person likes this
@CarolDM (203454)
• Nashville, Tennessee
9 May 22
Yes, it seems to help but those sparrows are smaller than the bluebirds and are very sneaky. Drama everywhere it seems. Thanks.
1 person likes this