Hi Tim,

How nice to hear what's going on at your place. Good for you for being vigilant about the HOSP. I've only had a few show up here, but I do have an inbox trap set. I don't think the Blues have much trouble finding insects in 30-40 degree weather as long as there is not a lot of snow cover. I've seen them dive down through piles of leaves to eat overwintering insects. I've had Bluebirds all winter, even in zero degree temps. I do have a heated bird bath and feed mealworms and suet. But they would be here anyway if I didn't. It just gives them a better chance of survival during the really cold spells. You're south of me. I haven't seen any red-winged blackbirds here yet, and don't expect to for a while. The hooded mergansers are back though.

Hey Tim...good to see you still around and that your Blues are back. I got three HOSP this Winter. We are still under snow cover and will be for awhile yet but I may start seeing the Blues in late March...just depends. Hope you have a great season...

glad to hear of the new arrivals..also very glad to hear your like me about taking care of the hosp population..if you have the money,,about 70$$ go to sparrow traps.net..best money ive spent!!wife and I have took care of about 100 sparrows since we bought it .:-))some people dont understand about gettin rid of them and my wife was sceptical untill She saw first hand what they do..so now we actually have fun doind them in when we catch them..good luck

hi -- I in northwest Ohio.. had bluebirds for first time last year. I have seen one atop my nestbox early in the morning this week...... then it disappears for the day and returns the following morning...

Hey Tim and everyone, my blues have been around all winter here in central NC. I live on a golfcourse and I have 3 boxes. I have been feeding mealworms and bluebird nuggets this winter but they would have been around anyway. A Blue is building a nest in one box already. I am a little surprised the blues are already building a nest. could it be a dummy nest?The other two boxes have a few strands of pine needles. I had to put fishing line on one box because a HOSP had become attached to it. As soon as I did that, they came back once and that was it. Doesn't seem to bother the blues. Here's to a successful season for everyone.

Happy Blue Year guys! Tim, yours usually show up about 2-3 weeks before mine. I hope you have an awesome season this year, your due for some good luck kiddo! Howdy Kendra & DZ! No Robins here yet, last year the Robins showed up the same day as the Blues. I have not had any HOSP this winter but sadly I know there will be. Will have to haul out the 22 and do a little "hunting" . Anyway WELCOME all of you new to the forum, you will be glad you are here! Come on Spring!

Sagrinin, I have not found dummy nests to be very common on among bluebirds, at least not Eastern Bluebirds.

Sometimes they build in one box, but for some reason or another, decide to switch boxes; thus you end up with multiple nests.

If the weather is not particularly good, I wood be on the lookout for HOSP. Although they're generally way messier in building, I have trapped bluebirds in boxes where I thought were being pursued by HOSP. It didn't seem to deter the bluebirds very much after release. This occurred at the same trail, two times in one day!

Last year I believe I had nest building take place during the 2nd-3rd week of March. It is pretty weather dependent. So far, plenty of singing, activity, you name it. No nest building yet and the Robins and Killdeer have return to NE Ohio!

Welcome everyone! Been cold here, looks like a later start to the season than last year unfortunately.

~Tim~

What are HOSP.

HOSP are English House Sparrows. They are not native to this country. They are very dangerous to the Bluebirds and other cavity nesters.

Thank you, is this what you put up the fishing line for? and how does this work? sorry for being so dumb, but do love the blue birds.Gailee

Gaile, you're not dumb! This hobby just has more to it than the eye can see! The fishing line is a form of deterrent. Sialis.org says HOSP typically see it, flutter around the box, and are discouraged by it.

I tried it one season without any luck. Still had HOSP claim nestboxes with the monofilament (fishing line)

It is best to trap and dispatch a male House Sparrow that has laid claim to a box. This would be, of course, AFTER the fact that he has gotten over the fishing line.

A mesh drawstring or large trashbag is ideal so that you can contain the bird and it doesn't escape. Sialis.org/hosp has all the management methods.

It may seem harsh, but as Kendra said, they're dangerous birds. They're also messy and don't eat many insects. If you want to be successful with Bluebirds, you will have to find a way to deal with the House Sparrow. There are few places these days that don't have HOSP due to modernization, poor bird feeding, etc.

When you get to watch a beautiful, young bluebird leave the nest for the first time you forget you really had to deal with HOSP.

Good luck, and check out my link for the traps!

Here is a link that might be useful: Van Ert Nestbox Traps

Thank you again ohsoblue, it will take a while , but will get there. Gailee