Blue is an interesting color which isn't overly common in nature. Nature is full of brown, green, black, white, and perhaps yellow and red may even be more common. Wisconsin like the rest of the Upper Midwest can count on a couple of things to be fairly consistently blue: the sky, the lakes, and Blue Jays.
Regal Blue Jay looks down upon the yard.
Today however we had a very blue visitor. An Indigo Bunting dropped in for a visit. This blue Finch joined a colorful array of other birds as our Orioles and Grosbeaks arrived at the end of last week. It's been our experience in the past that they won't stick around; they'll visit a handful of times in May then find somewhere a little more wild for their nesting, but they are a sure sign that spring is really here. This particular Bunting showed some interest in the Oriole feeder, which have been because these birds are interested in fruits such as Serviceberry, Strawberry, and Blueberry.
Indigo Bunting gets a better view from the top of the bird house.
Of course, other blue migrants have started to arrive. The Barn Swallows have taken up their usual haunt in the parking deck at work, and we've started to see Tree Swallows around as well. Our nest boxes remain empty, but I remain hopeful that a pair will take up residence in our yard. We regularly see Tree Swallows over the retention pond near our home, and they typically take up residence in bird houses in a nearby park.
Acrobatic Tree Swallow takes break on a nest box.
The other blue migrant we expect to see but have yet to spy this spring are the Eastern Bluebirds. Typically we have only seen them in the park or when we make it out somewhere more rural, but last spring they came to check out one of the nest boxes in our yard. It was occupied at the time by Black Capped Chickadees. If they come around again this year, they'll find two nest boxes which are currently vacant, so we remain hopeful.
Hopefully he'll remember us and return.
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