Bluebirds checking out nest box now in Texas?

I have a friend that just put up a box. Why would bluebirds be checking it out now? Seems they'd wait until spring.

They might use it as a night-time roost site.

Resin

My neighbor had some BB's "pre-select" a newly installed box too. They didn't sleep there for the winter, but they were there every day.

I'm glad you asked this. Our resident breeding pair have been checking out their old place and, in addition, checking the other one directly across the yard on a daily basis. Mom pulled a small snake out of theirs last week and has been quite diligent about making sure no more squatters move in. Even saw one with a piece of straw on top of the nest box.

I have read in my bird books that blue birds and other birds will roost in boxes over the winter to stay warm. They will actually sleep quite a few per box. Who knew? So I keep my boxes out year round.

Thanks for the info guys! I didn't know that they did that. I never saw that in my next boxes in Parker County. :-)

Learn something every day!