This year we were sure the Eastern bluebirds were going to nest in one of our bluebird houses. For the past several years, we have spent a fortune on mealworms, made sure there was always fresh water in the winter and pampered the bluebirds in every way we could in hopes of having a nesting pair. Each year, they have decided to eat the mealworms, enjoy the birdbath but when it came to nesting they still preferred a tree cavity or perhaps a neighbor’s birdhouse.

This year the birds gorged on mealworms.

They enjoyed the birdbath

And then, we had a pair investigating one of the houses.

The male inspected it.

Outside and inside

The female inspected it.

The male guarded it and chased away the other males.

They inspected it together. Lots of going in and going out. Surely they are going to nest this year.

But once again, they appear to have found another location for their nest. They still stop by to eat mealworms but no activity around the boxes now. Each year I threaten to not feed them mealworms if they are not going to nest. But each year, I give in to the beautiful blue color and head to the store for another container of mealworms. Maybe next year….