Kendra, I can't speak for others but will share my bluebirding experiences (just 2 seasons) regarding the nestboxes. I put up 3 nestboxes when we first moved into our new home had bluebirds start investigating them in Oct., 2 yrs ago. I joined the forum in Jan. '08 and was not only overwhelmed by the many informed bluebirders, but the wealth of info on the Sialis site. I don't recall anyone or the site ever mentioning pre-loading a nestbox and I never have. I've had 4 successful nestings over 2 seasons. My gut feeling is that it really wouldn't make a difference as far as their choice of housing. BTW, all of my nestboxes were brand new before the first nesting so I guess they were attracted to the location and safe environment.

I think someone on this forum did mention scattering some pine straw on the ground near the nestbox, hoping to make it a little easier for the blues to find.

Donna

I think its personal choice in 20 years of bluebirding I have never added anything to nest box's of bluebirds I have for Martins only once (to much work and to many units) The bluebirds might think its a mouse nest and avoid the box. I play it safe and leave box very empty. Pine tree straw is best if you desire
to add a nest foundation. Try it and let us know.
Ray

Thanks for the replies. I did scatter the pine needles last year, and they did indeed use them. I know that makes it easier for them than having to gather all their own. But I was curious if they preferred a used look to the nestbox. I guess I can always experiment a bit and add some pine needles to only one box and see if they have a preference. Not exactly a perfect scientific test, but can't hurt to try it.

My next question would be why don't we use nest trays like the PUMA folks do? Seems to me it would be much easier and quicker to monitor the boxes if they had slide out trays. I'm going to build some for my boxes and see how that works out.

There is a flat wire mesh that some bluebird landlords use it keeps the nest
clean and off the bottom of the box. If you have the money and time I say
go for it. Its on the idea of the nest trays but more open the wire mesh is sold
at most hardware stores. I try and keep the nest as low as possible out of reach
of predators. My box's are all 8 inch's deep and I use Noel wire on all 50 box's
they are safe from coon,fisher.

rayinri,
How in the world do you manage 50 boxes? We have about half that many and it is all we can do to keep up with them. The later into the season it gets, the more hectic it gets. We fledged about 115 last season and we felt like we were run to death. I am very impressed with your dedication. I would like to hear more about how you are set up.

Most of my bluebird box's are on powerline right-a-ways there is one that
runs north to south about 6 miles there are box's every 1/4 mile and in good
years most were taken about 40 are on the powerline. The rest farms and gas
lines that run threw the woods. No sparrows in these area's only problem
Black racer snakes. But have a system to manage snakes. Also manage 2 country club Martin colony's a college Martin colony a Landtrust martin colony
a Doctor's colony. Yes I am in over my head....No Kids single most of my life
and very devoted to my cause of saving Bluebirds and Martins in RI. I use
noel wire on every box NO Coon or Fisher. 21 years bluebird work and 16
Martin. I am very burnt out by Aug but love the work and very well known
by Bluebird landlords and Martin landlords. I am very active advocate much
more than just a landlord. One person can make a difference and anyone
can turn there community around and help these native birds it just takes
passion. Most of my Martin colony's are on displace and location is key
public locations..... once seen new sites go up and everyone wants martins
One site host a charity golf match three days people from all over New England come and see the Martins and are so shocked to see a real Purple
Martin. Rhode Island School of Design is my College site they have Martins
at there Barrington Campus site people from around the country visit and
see the birds and want them......Gourds must be used with Martins and not
small aluminum houses martins dont like small units. Every year the Martin
population doubles and Barrington RI Probably will have the largest number
of Martins in New England the community is adding more units yearly....
They nested in one location back in 2005 this season five.....
I am a very happy person to see my work prosper and grow
Ray

Wow Ray, I am so impressed. I had no idea you managed so many, and for so long. Now that's dedication. Is there any chance you could post a picture or two of some of the sites that you manage? I would love to see some of your set-ups.

Hi Kendra
Are you from New England? I have never posted pictures on this forum
I am not sure how you would post. Another shocker I have fledged just over
3,000 bluebirds in 20 years. And many Martin landlords now a days manage
more than one site. And many of the public sites are now managed as well and
the birds are well taken care of. A person on Cape Cod read about my work and
she saved the last two Martin Colony's on the cape. People on the cape say that
martins will not nest there and I just had to prove them Wrong. The advocate
there also feeds the Martins and now looks after them and tapes for people
to see her work I helped set the sites up and found the locations for the units these last two sites were at Private Country clubs. Martins are making
a strong come back in southern New England. Thanks to new modern starling resistant units the birds are making a come back nation wide.
And Martins prefer gourds and never use small 12 unit aluminum houses
that are six by six inches they dont like them there to small.

Yes, I am from New England and trying to attract Martins as well as Bluebirds. It is so wonderful for me to hear of people with such dedication that are helping to bring back Martins and Bluebirds. They became so scarce for a while, I think a lot of people were unaware they existed around here.

Martin's are very popular from southern NJ south. They are not popular here in NE and are loosing ground in some area's ME,VT,NH,MA They are doing great in RI & CT and with a prime location Waterfront anyone in RI or CT should get them. New England has a good number of Bluebird Advocates but There is a lack of interest in Martin Conservation which is very sad. The martin nest all along the ocean and Bay's in New England and well up to New Brunswick Canada
about five colony's left there. More modern units are being installed there and
they population growing. Alot of work needs to be done to save the Martin
I reach out to people from all over NE. And have been to colony's in all NE states and to sites in NJ 50 plus. And 6 in PA. I have help band Martin chicks in NJ and stayed there for week two different years. The Martin is much better off today than ten years ago. New units have help reverse the decline
and old aluminum houses are being torn down and double sized with starling
resistant doors. Go to youtube and check out the video's on Martins you
will enjoy it. Ray