If the HOSP has been nestbuilding, they probably have sent the bluebirds elsewhere. Just be glad the bluebirds have escaped with their lives. HOSP can kill. Visit the link below for ideas and hints if you want to discourage or remove HOSP. Other bluebirds might move in later, if you can control the HOSP problem. If your HOSP problem is severe (too many), or you are not willing to control them, maybe you could host a smaller species (chickadees, wrens, etc.) by reducing the entrance hole so that HOSP cannot enter. Whatever you decide, please do not host HOSP intentionally. BlueBars Here is a link that might be useful: http://www.sialis.org/hosp.htm

Yesterday, I visited my other site with 2 boxes that are on a couple diff. properties. The week before, a HOSP was inside the entrance hole to one chirping away! I wasn't able to get him. So when I returned yesterday, I set out my Van Ert. A bird that clearly LOOKED like a HOSP landed on the box and moved around like one too. At the same time, I was hearing HOSP vocalization. I watched the box. I heard it go off, thinking "YES!" Upon further inspection, I found it was a female bluebird!! In my other box, I had a Van Ert set, and again heard the HOSP vocalizations. 2 birds were at it. 1 was trapped. I opened the box with bag, out flew another female bluebird! Turns out the HOSP left and there are 2 pairs at this site who were near each other at one box WITHOUT fighting. Despite the females being trapped, they promptly returned to their boxes. Here at home, I have 2 box pairs, and my TRES pairs just returned for the season. I have a Blue pair actively, slowly but surely building a nest. A male and female HOSP just showed up at the other pair, and TRES were harrasing them. Of course, at the same time, my Van Erts are set! This is my first ever experience trapping bluebirds with the Van Ert. Contrary to what sialis says, both female bluebirds flew straight out INTO my mesh bag. I scurried them back in the boxes, removed the bag, and opened the doors. They exited immediately. Crazy stuff here! the Bluebirds appear in control, even at my second site, where there are many HOSP. Can't believe it. ~Tim~

Sandy My neighbor has horses too and a few years ago the hosps had taken over almost all of the barn swallow nests in the barn. They like all swallows eat TONS of bugs. She also wanted Bluebirds. I told her I wouldn't help her unless she were willing to get rid of the hosps and use spookers and such. Long story short I finally convinced her she need to get rid of the hosps so I started trapping there. She now has all of her barn swallows back and I have nine boxes there full of Bluebirds and Tree Swallows. We could probably have Purple Martins too if she were willing to buy a house or a gourd system (better) that has the starling resistant entrances. It is kind of time consuming and continuous but well worth it. Cathy

Lisa, because the males get mates so quickly, I doubt your shooting will cause him to retaliate. Here's an interesting note about the Van Ert: If you catch the FEMALE in an active HOSP nest, try leaving her body in the box afterwards. May sound cruel, but I did this at my 2nd box site, and I caught the Male within 30 seconds of setting and leaving the trap! I walked away and a few seconds later..."SNAP!" ..."Did that seriously just happen??" The only way I caught HOSP in the ground trap (DRST) was by putting a couple live males in first that I caught with the Van Ert. It was sitting out for WEEKS not catching anything before this. I know how impatient it can make you! Keep up with the Sparrow Spookers! I have used them 2-3 seasons now and not had even ONE HOSP attack occur when used. Just remember the time frame to have it up in. With the 3 big control items: Van Ert, DRST, and Sparrow Spooker, I believe this is the best way to bring the population down. I wish they couldn't nest in evergreens! I tear out and destroy eggs and nestings from these year in and year out. It gets exhausting. ~Tim~