I really like my purple martins, but I wouldn't trade a pair of bluebirds for two dozen martins. During the summer afternoons when martins leave for a few hours to hunt, my bluebirds are still in the yard, guarding the grass for invading insects. Bluebirds are usually the first to sound the alarm on approaching hawks. And when the martins run off for their winter home in late July & August, bluebirds stay content with the Kentucky climate.
A couple of years ago, I was fortunate enough to have two pair of bluebirds in my yard. One pair in the front yard, and one in the back. That was a memorable year. It hasn't happened before or since, but I can always be hopeful it may happen again. And if not, I'll be happy with just the single pair each year.
One of the most rewarding events I enjoy bird watching is observing bluebird parents feeding their fledglings who may be in 3-4 different locations. Then later in the summer in a second brood, the siblings from the first brood may help out. Usually, they are doing more hanging out then helping, but it's nice to watch.
I was just watching a pair of bluebirds hanging around on my mailbox, and it motivated me to write this.
Photo by E.J. Peiker.
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