Show us your Bluebird Nestboxes

Hi Everyone.

I'm doing a DG article on Bluebird Nestboxes with some help from "Mr. Bluebird," 2ndcousin dave.

But I'd like to know if anyone would like to submit their nestbox photos for use in the article. I'm particularly interested in anything that does NOT look like Dave's as seen in the bluebird thread.

Additionally, how about you bluebird lovers out west? Any mountain and western bluebird boxes out there?

Don't know what kind of Box you have? Here's a link: http://www.nabluebirdsociety.org/nestboxes1.htm

Thanks very much!

Mrs. Ed--

Do you mean nest boxes with BBs in them?

Nope, just nestboxes. I'd like to show the different types.

Well, let me edit to say that they certainly can have a nest, but not necessary.

Thanks.


This message was edited Apr 26, 2008 8:06 AM

I use 4 different kinds - (I'll have to check Dave's thread again to see if any of mine are like his...) - but just did my cemetery trail check this afternoon & so won't be back over there for about 4-5 days - what is your deadline for your article?

Muddylou,

I think 4-5 days would be fine. I just have to publish this in May sometime. I might start writing tonight.

Thanks!!!

You know, while you are at it, if you could get some wider shots to illustrate your trail, I'll put in a little sidebar about bluebird trails and quote your info from one of the threads.

Mine is like Dave's Mrs. Ed or I would be happy to submit a pic. I plan on trying some different designs in the future but that will be too late! I will enjoy your article though when it comes out!

Ah, no worries! Thanks Rose!

Sure, Mrs. Ed, I'm happy to take some "trail" shots - although I will not be able to get more than 1 box in a pic at a time; they are too widely spaced - but at least you'll be able to see location (which, in my view, is the absolute critical factor). Hopefully I"ll be able to time it to get the bbs sitting on the boxes..........

Right. That will be great

Mrs_Ed - My husband made this one just this month. It's our first, and unfortunately, it is empty so far. The sparrow device on top really works!! Don't know if this is something you can use.

Thanks Nane that's a good one!

You should take the spooker down until after the first egg is laid. See the sialis.org site for more.

Mrs Ed, this one is called a Gilbertson. My wife bought it several years ago but it I have not yet used it. She keeps reminding me how much she paid for it and asking me to switch but I hate to mess with the status quo. People who use the Gilbertson say the BBs seem to prefer it to the kind I'm currently using.

ooo, thanks! I found some free stock images of these, but they all had chickadees using them!

I had a very persistent pair of house sparrows building a nest in the bb box. I had to pull it out 4 times before the spooker. I'll try switching to filament and see how that goes.

grrrr. darn those sparrows.

Hi Dave & all - I've got a Gilbertson too, but it's the "upside down mouse hole" one - I'll be sending a pic later this week - I'd say of the 4 types I use, it is by far the favorite. Actually, I think it's called a "Gilwood" - I'll have to check.......

Looking forward to them! I have ONE paragraph written! LOL.

Check out this link. These aren't exactly Bluebird nestboxes, but I think these are interesting birdhouses.

I found this thread on the Woodworking forum and it's worth a look-see if not for nest boxes, then for garden art/sculpture!

These are built by a member of DG, and I believe he sells them to interested parties. Wouldn't it be amazing to have one in the yard (although I'm not sure how easy they are to maintain or which species of birds would use them!)

http://davesgarden.com/community/forums/p.php?pid=4864769

Incredible,Tabasco! Looks like a martin house, but I couldn't tell if the dimensions were correct.

oh yes, i've been watching that thread for a while. I send that link to others and then we all laugh at how lazy we are! And he's done his homework too for cleaning. They are all designed to be easily cleaned. But alas, they encourage a ton of house sparrow nesting.

All the boxes around here are the standard wooden ones made of either cypress or red cedar. Most are not painted.

The people who have painted ones that are occupied are afraid to retouch the paint in fear they may stop nesting in them.

Thanks Frank!

the typical southern bluebird house usually made of cedar or cypress. The roof is of one peice that slopes to the front. The inside is 4x4 inches. One side or the front is hinged at the top by two nails and held by a latch at the bottom. The hole is about eight inches above the top of the floor. Either the front or the side(depending on which one is hinged) is a little shorter than the other sides to allow air. Usually you see these along fences unpainted. When I farmed I made them in the winter months and put them along my pasture fences. To help protect the nest sometimes an extra board or peice of metal is cut and placed around the entrance hole.

here is one made out of two by boards. Sorry, only the front part was visible.

Thanks Frank, that is an excellent example of an overhang.

In the late 1960s there was some concern about a decline in BB nesting places due to changing farm practices here in Mississippi. A simple and affordable plan was designed and distributed by the coopertive extension service to any farmers interested. The result was thousands of nesting boxes placed along pasture fences. I hope there sre still some in the more rural areas of the state. Around in this area all the fences have been destroyed by developers. Hopefully enough urban people have nesting boxes to replace the ones that have been lost.

Yes, I was wondering about the House Sparrow issue with those very large birdhouses too. They are quite stunning looking, but maybe the holes need to be filled to prevent HOSP nesting. Kind of ruins the romance of them though...

The bluebird nestbox article will run on Monday May 19th.


Thanks to everyone who helped!

A peterson design BB box and they use them all the time...

#2

babies

looking out the box, Ready to fly..

Wonderful pics Iris!

I'm looking forward to the article Mrs Ed!

Thanks Pelletory! I was in a rush and those were actually last years photos, I'll have to put on this years when I get more time.

Yes. Can't wait to see the story mrs. ed. I'm sure I'll learn more than a thing or two!

Well I don't know about that. It's a bluebird nestbox basics article. Lots of things you probably already knew from dave!

Anyway I was happy with it. I'll get all kinds of questions though, as if I were the expert!

But how satisfying it will be to get people started, and direct them appropriately! Good luck. You'll be a busy bee.

I've provided lots of links back to Sialis and NABS! lol.