Bluebirds nesting

Yesterday, a bluebird came out of her nest box just as George Dog and I were walking past.I don't know which of the three of us was more startled. Too bad I didn't have the camera up and ready! We were nearly eye to eye.

 These birds add so much to a visit to the dog park, especially on a quiet morning when no one else is around. I assumed the County had installed the boxes, but it turns out they were added by a volunteer, who also maintains them. What a great community!

I found some information online about bluebird nests. During nesting season, there's a two week period where nest boxes should not be disturbed. This is to keep the babies from fledging too early, which would make them easy prey.

The eggs need 2 weeks for incubation, then after 2-1/2 to 3 weeks the babies fledge, and then the young birds hang out with the parents for 2 to 3 weeks of survival lessons. After that they are pretty much on their own.

I'm not sure where these bluebirds are on that timeline, but keep your eyes open for baby birds following the parents around in the next few weeks, and please avoid approaching the nest boxes. This can leave a trail for predators to follow.

Mealworms are bluebird's favorite food, but they also like other insects, berries, and sunflower seeds.

Here's a website with info and photos of bluebirds.

http://members.tripod.com/~K1bluebird/ebluebird.html

George met some new friends

Wonder how many photos blogspot will let us load? Maybe we'll have to delete older posts eventually.

Sunday morning crowd

Rebel was very tolerant and let Mia jump all over him. There were a lot of huskies in the park, but we didn't get mug shots of them.

Mugs from Sunday and Monday

And here is Abby Golden, Rebel, Simba and Ralphie.

Sunday's mugshots

Sunday morning was crowded.

The park has two dogs named Abby, so you'll be able to look for labels for Abby Hound and Abby Golden.

Here's Mia, Jack, Cody, Brooke, and Abby Hound.

Madison

Madison, packmate to Zack, Zoe, and Eli, poses with her tennis ball.  Thanks to Ryan for the photo!

Herbicide

Some time in the past week, the county sprayed herbicide along the fence line. Coincidentally, there has been a hole filled with muddy water right by the fence, under the water faucet.

Perhaps the workers had the good sense to skip applying the herbicide there, but I can't tell. 

So as tempting as any good mud puddle is, I don't know that I would want to play in it after herbicide application. And if I wouldn't do it, I sure wouldn't want my dog to play in it or drink from it either.

A couple of helpful volunteers bailed the hole out and filled it with gravel from the parking lot. Thanks!

And thanks to all park users for your sense of community and consideration.

Best,

Tanya