Bird-Brain Real Estate Agency Update

Bluebird House Rural Renewal Project

Some of the bluebird houses featured in our spring listings were later condemned by the building inspector due to code violations; a couple were even falling apart! The inspector was not impressed by the use of cute adjectives, “handyman delight,” “rustic” and “shabby chic,” and could not be persuaded to reconsider.

As a result of this ruling, there was a flurry of construction activity in the basement. Result – six new bluebird houses built of all-natural wood siding with weather-proof coating. No, these are not “row” houses.

These immaculate new homes have been mounted on sturdy fence posts and generated immediate interest and swift move-in activity among the bluebird population and one pair of sparrow squatters.

This bluebird found a new home to his liking for his family.

The sparrow squatters staked their claim so fast you’d have thought it was the Cherokee Strip Land Rush. Their decorating scheme can only be described as “eclectic”—grass, twigs or anything else they can haul in. This pair even decorated the ceiling but not the back wall! 

Bill snapped this picture of a bluebird house interior—thoughtfully planned and very cozy. Mama bluebird laid three eggs. But Bill checked the nest prior to taking the picture and, tragically, the eggs were gone, likely victims of a hungry predator.

Other Activity

Once tours at the Wren Designer Showhouse were over, a pair of wrens moved in. Unfortunately, they have encountered difficulty in furnishing their new home. Mama Wren selected a twig that was too long to fit through the doorway and couldn’t figure out how to turn it sideways to get it in.

Bill discovered a pair of mockingbirds set up housekeeping in a small cedar tree. 

Here is their future new family.

Bill checked the nest a day later and, once again, the eggs were gone. The nasty nest raider struck again!

Unfortunately, we have no purple martin move-in activity to report, but are still hopeful.