We had at least one bluebird near our boxes as recently as last Monday and had four or five hanging around up until Thanksgiving weekend. Blake Lyme, NH 03768-3322 ________________________________ From: Marianne & Michael Walsh <[log in to unmask]> To: [log in to unmask] Sent: Saturday, December 10, 2011 12:05 PM Subject: Re: [UVB] Bluebirds We were surprised last weekend to see a male Eastern Bluebird perched on one of our bluebird houses. I hope he comes back next spring. We have not had nesting bluebirds since 1995 when we had our power lines put underground, unintentionally removing the bluebirds favorite perches. Eastern Bluebirds are one of our target birds along our route (west side of the Connecticut River) on the Springfield Christmas Bird Count. They are tough birds and we always feel lucky to find them. Last year, the Springfield CBC had a high count for Eastern Bluebird. Here are the bluebird numbers for the last 20 years for the Springfield CBC. 2010 39 2009 15 2008 25 2007 0 2006 8 2005 0 2004 7 2003 6 2002 5 2001 13 2000 0 1999 33 1998 10 1997 0 1996 4 1995 0 1994 8 1993 0 1992 0 1991 1 Today (Saturday, December 10, 2011), we have a Red-bellied Woodpecker at our feeders and two Ruffed Grouse amongst the poplar saplings in our neighbor's old field along East Camp Hill Road in Weathersfield, VT. -- ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Marianne and Michael Walsh 151 E. Camp Hill Rd. Weathersfield, VT 05156-9629 802-885-9420