Update on Farm Bluebirds

That is the downside to having BB boxes and the possibility of HOSP nesting in them.

Those slit boxes are certainly worth a try. I just wonder if the HOSPs don't like them will the BBs not like them too? I wish someone with a bluebird trail would do a sample study of them. Of course, if I researched 'Sialis' or 'BB Box' I probably would find that some one has found out results one way or the other...

Someone reported Hummingbirds here in Ohio this week, so I am hopeful about them, anyway.

About clustering--I saw something about not placing the boxes within eye sight of the other box too. But then I also saw a bluebirder who places them back to back.

Actually tabasco, I think that those styles of houses WERE studied in Kentucky. At least according to some of the links I saw.

http://yhst-60107113779235.stores.yahoo.net/spblho.html

This message was edited Apr 9, 2008 12:47 PM

Ah, I didn't see that at first. Very interesting.

I'd try it out except I live in town and don't have bluebirds.

So sorry to hear about the Bluebird, Rose. Jeepers, I am so far behind on the forum and I decided to try to catch up tonight. Now, I wish I had not done so!

Darned fickle male bird!!

Maybe the little mama bird will survive and return?

GG

HOSP will nest in anything. They even take up residence in bird houses just to guard it - without even laying eggs.

They stopped bullying the bbs when they could no longer see the bb nesting box. I put the nesting box on the other side of our building away from the bird seed. The HOSP stayed close to their food source, and left the bbs alone.

Thanks dellrose for the link on bluebirds - very very interesting! And thanks so much for the great pic - WOW! What a delight to see those beautiful bluebirds - color me green with envy. I'll keep reading up on them and try to intice them to our yard.

Thought I would let you know that the new BB couple started to build a new nest over the old one with the six eggs. I ended up having to remove the old nest (with 6 beautiful eggs) and put the new one back in the box. At the same time I also removed the sparrow spooker. The BB's have continued to finish the nest and today it had the prettiest BB egg! I replaced the sparrow spooker so now we are back to the beginning. I am not sure if the first eggs would have survived the freezing temps we've had recently.

Six beautiful eggs, wasted. Wonder where the original mama bird got to?

I guess the birds' world is not all sweetness and light either.

GG

Yikes, sorry about mama & her eggs!! I must say, it can be VERY unnerving (and at times distressing) to host bluebirds. I have no takers at my backyard box so far (saw a pair about 2 weeks ago but nothing since) and I'm almost RELIEVED, as I've had HOSP and house wren issues in the past. Please try to remember that bbs (like all birds) are very resilient (far more so than we are)!! And hang in there Rose.

Keep us posted rose!! I have 2 bb nesting boxes placed more than 100 yds. apart. One is around the corner of the building so they are out of sight of each other. As of the 17th nothing. I will scrape any hosp nesting material out right away.