A few years ago we saw 4 or 5 Western Bluebirds on our property in October.
I promptly put up 4 "bluebird" houses along the fenceline where we saw them,
hoping they would stop and nest the next spring. We haven't seen any more
bluebirds, but the houses are occupied each year by tree swallows.
Yesterday my 8 yo son and I were censusing the boxes. Three had swallows
on and around them, but no eggs. The fourth had 2 very angry swallows, and
as we approached, a cowbird flew out of the box. We peeked inside--there
were 4 swallow eggs and one cowbird egg. This was at about 1:00 pm.
Also, just saw my first yard lister Nashville Warbler--number 80 for our
forested 12 acre yard (no marsh or water).

Dan Logen
Stanwood, Wa
pdl at whidbey.net