pre-nesting behaviour

[Susquatch]

My pair from last year are back, but they are acting wierd. They disappear for days, and stay for days. That isn't so wierd. What is wierd is that they go into the condo and stay inside for days!!! I'm wondering if they are ok, or if other landlords have seen this before.

[chickadee]

I have seen them go inside for days if weather is bad and their is know food. In the beginning starting out they would leave for a day come back. Think they went out looking for other martins. Then one would start to always stay at night. I wonder if maybe they are not in their all the time and you just have not seen them come in go. Birds can be sneaky. I had a blue bird build a nest right under my nose. I watched the box and never seen it. Must of done it the split seconded I looked away.

[JudyAV]

I discovered 5 Bluebird eggs in one of my Bluebird houses this morning! I just checked the house last week and no nest, now I have eggs! They were one quick pair LOL

[Susquatch]

I wonder if maybe they are not in their all the time and you just have not seen them come in go. Birds can be sneaky. I had a blue bird build a nest right under my nose. I watched the box and never seen it. Must of done it the split seconded I looked away.

It is possible but not likely. I like to sit on the patio near their condo and watch for hours - I'm retired.

Also, if they are in there, they will usually come out when my bride slams the gate (which is connected to the condo post through the fence that is between them). They don't come out when I think they are not there, but do when I think they are.

I remain strongly of the opinion that they leave for days at a time, and stay inside the condo for days at a time too.

I have robins, cardinals, tree swallows, red-wing blackbirds, wrens, purple finches, and chipping sparrows all nesting within the pool yard area. Sadly, no Blue Birds. I also have humming birds and orioles nesting in the forest beside the house and frequenting the feeders in the pool yard.

Although I have dozens of blue bird houses setup throughout the yard, I have no blue birds. The tree swallows love the blue bird nest boxes and I let them take them over because there are always plenty of empty ones.

I am jealous of your success with the blue birds. I am on a mission to attract them! Wood ducks are also on my target list.

I have no house sparrows or starlings. My primitive old fashioned drop trap works fantastic.

My favorite birds are the martins, the hummingbirds, and the orioles - in that order.