first sighting

I saw my first bluebird of the year this evening.
What follows is anecdotal, mostly historical, and I have tried to be true to fact.

For centuries, bluebirds were resident in Minnesota. Then, through loss of habitat and killing, they became extinct in this state. For decades nobody saw an Eastern bluebird in the upper Great Plains - West Great Lakes Region.

Then people got interested in building houses, restoring habitat, and assuring places for them to live.

Now, having lived in this house for virtually 14 years, I have seen nesting bluebirds every year.

The meales show up first. they scout the territory. when the females show up, the males attract their attention, and show them all the wondrful places they have to liv.

The female chooses the male with the bet site. (Face it guys, it sucks to be us, unless you're the lucky guy with the prime real estate. Then, your genes live on.)

The return of Eastern Bluebirds is one of our great environmental success stories.

Every year,near the end of March, I order 10,000 meal worms. I store them in a medium large cake pan with about 1 1/2 in corn meal. I keep them (covered) in a refrigerator in my garage. I place about 1/2 cup of them in a special feeder for bluebirds only, near the 11 bluebird houses I have erected on my property.

I'm hoping I make some lucky male bluebird very happy.