Bluebirds

One of the fun things about getting the teeth out was when I was at work, as a chef. Once in awhile, I'd feel something like a little pinch, and pick out a snake tooth from the inside of my hand, just below the thumb. It was great fun to gross out the teenagers working there as service staff during their summer break.

Ewwwww. I'm feelin' queasy :)

Back to bluebirds - we now have two couples who are bickering over who gets which house. There are four to choose from, so you'd think they could come up with a peaceful solution, lolol.

It's been pretty funny to watch them fussing this morning. Time to make a dash to the bird store for some mealworms, I guess!

Bluebirds are territorial and you aren't likely to get more than one couple in the same area.

I recently went to a lecture on bluebirds. They are very territorial and the only way to get 2 bluebird houses occupied is to keep them out of sight of each other by putting them on the opposite sides of a yard with the house or garage or whatever blocking their view of each other. Sometimes this is will work.

We have a good-sized lot (roughly 1.25 acres); the houses are positioned across the yard from each other (a good 150-200 feet apart, with trees screening the view from each other.)

Do we have a bird identifier on Dave's?

Congrats on getting your bluebirds to nest, Terry. They will be such a joy to watch.

I have it written down that bluebird houses should be at least 100 yd(300 ft) apart. Hopefully yours can't measure distance & you will get two families. Make sure you post any pics you are able to get of them.

As far as snakes go, you can all keep them down your way as I am absolutely terrified of them. My GF scared me really bad with one when I was a little kid & I have never gotten over it. I do know they are really good for the garden. Just glad ours don't climb trees (I hope).

Lisa,
Instead of barbed wire, why not put snake-a-way or some similar snake repellant around the post. Snakes don't cross these repellants.. www.ipmalmanac.com/solutions/200006/snakes.asp.
Ron

I have 7 or 8 bluebird size houses, they are placed all the way from front of house to back yard. I do know they are territorial. I had two pair two years ago and both fledged two families. Maybe the other pair got lost on the way back up here. They think I should feed them every time I go outside where they can see me. I don't want them to get to fat!! to hunt bugs in the garden. Donna

Ron, thanks for the suggestion and the link. I also found this interesting link the other day. It is all about "how to build snake trip-ups on the pole type thingyies" http://audubon-omaha.org/bbbox/nestbox/hksnake.htm

Lisa, these sound a lot easier (read down past the racoon problems)http://www.nabluebirdsociety.org/predator.htm