skip to main content

Nest built then BB's disappeared??

17 years ago

HI

I had the same pair of Blues come and they made a nest - started on 3-9 and finished a few days later.

I have only seen thme once since then and the female peeked in the box, a female HOSP flew at her and she flew away.

That was about 5 days ago, I keep taking out the part the HOSP put in, and they have pretty much given up.

BUT will the Blues come back?

Is it common for them to disappear for awhile after making a nest?

They nested here last year, and I put a spooker up after the first egg.

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (4)

organicgardener
17 years ago
If the HOSP is in that box every day, you could set a trap. Make sure you check it often. If you trap a bird, put a large mesh laundry bag over the whole nestbox and pull the drawstring tight. Open the box to see if you've trapped the HOSP. If a HOSP, dispose of it. If it's the bluebird, release it.

Linda C
bluebars
17 years ago
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
Related Discussions
4 BBs almost ready to leave
Q
Comments (5)
Hey Lisa, knees still creeking even the bionic one!! :) I've been watching out for the 'little brown birds' who made things difficult in past years. All 4 bluebird chicks fledged yesterday afternoon: one before 6pm, one at 6:10, another 6:20 and the last 6:30!!! I watch all but the first one. The chickadee's nest is FILLED with dog fur that I'd hung out. There are 6 eggs there. Also found 4 House Finch hatchlings this morning and one unhatched egg. The other fern has 5 eggs yet to hatch. That Mama was a day behind laying the eggs. We've got a Brown Headed Nuthatch in a hole in a dead tree. Wish I could see way up there!! It's been a great early Spring. Bluebird blessings, Linda... Acworth, NW Georgia
...See More
Finally nesting bbs
Q
Comments (3)
Hi Tim! Congratulations!! How exciting it is to host Bluebirds. Never know how soon she will begin to lay after the nest is completed. I wouldn't think it would be too long though. Like the others said, keep a watch on the nest. Once the first egg is laid, she should lay one egg each morning until she is done laying. 4-6 eggs is usual. Once the last egg is laid, incubation usually begins. She will incubate for about 12-14 days, and then you will have hatchlings! Then, if all goes well, in about 14 days, they will fledge from the box.~~Angie
...See More
Strange BB behavior
Q
Comments (5)
We have pretty much the same thing going on here. They were hanging around the box for days a couple of weeks ago and suddenly disappeared. Then this weekend they had been going in and out of the box, sometimes with grass, but not leaving it. Yesterday it poured and they started putting grass in the box again. Today it was empty. We have a nest cam set up so we haven't been actually opening the box. They keep hanging around but not nest building. At least not here. Wondering if they are still shopping around or trying to throw off possible predators?
...See More
Our Bluebirds Built A Nest
Q
Comments (1)
Congratulations that is great news! Keep us posted on the progress!
...See More
mulchmamma
17 years ago
From personal experience, I have found that once HOSP have claimed a box, no other cavity nesters are safe. Even with spookers and halos and reducers, I still worry. I have a single Ninja HOSP causing me grief. If he claims a box this year, I will welcome him and allow the nesting to proceed, tie up their time and effort and then eliminate the breeding pair with the VanErt. Better to monitor the situation in my own yard than have them nest somewhere else and fledge. That's the plan this year and my two pellet rifles will back me up.

Linda
debbie321
Original Author
17 years ago
NO I dont intentionally let HOSP nest here.
They put grass in the nest box as soon as the BB's took off for the day. I promptly removed it - I have trapped several HOSP and have not seen any in 2 days now. Of course I have seen no other birds either as I took the seed feeder down.
That makes me depressed that I will not have blues now.
: SO there is no way they will come back since I got rid of the problem?
I KNOW there may be more HOSP to come, but I have eliminated all reasons for them to be here now.

Related Stories

GARDENING GUIDES Small Carpenter Bees Are Looking for a Home in Your Plant Stems

By Pollination Press LLC

Provide flowers and nesting sites in your garden for this beautiful, tiny, metallic blue wild bee — your plants will thank you

BEDROOMS 7 Ways to Make a Small Bedroom Look Bigger and Work Better

By The Inman Company

Max out on comfort and function in a mini space with built-ins, wall mounts and decorating tricks that fool the eye

DECORATING GUIDES 32 Creative Ideas for Your Nightstand

By Pangaea Interior Design, Portland, OR

The perfect bedside table could be high, low, built-In, or not a table at all

REMODELING GUIDES Houzz Tour: Turning a ’50s Ranch Into a Craftsman Bungalow

With a new second story and remodeled rooms, this Maryland home has plenty of space for family and friends

KITCHEN DESIGN Kitchen of the Week: Modern and Rustic Meet in the Woods of Quebec

By Becky Harris

Tall windows open this handcrafted wood-and-white loft kitchen to the beautiful outdoors

STANDARD MEASUREMENTS The Right Dimensions for Your Porch

By Steven Corley Randel, Architect

Depth, width, proportion and detailing all contribute to the comfort and functionality of this transitional space

CEILINGS The Space Above: Beautiful Barrel-Vaulted Ceilings

By Bud Dietrich, AIA

Create Spaciousness and Intimacy With a Ceiling Shaped Like the Sky

DECORATING GUIDES How to Turn Almost Any Space Into a Guest Room

By Laura Gaskill

The Hardworking Home: Murphy beds, bunk compartments and more can provide sleeping quarters for visitors in rooms you use every day

CHRISTMAS How to Light Your Christmas Tree Like a Pro

By Innovative Design Build

Give yourself frustration-free tree lighting this year — the trick is clever cord management

HOME TECH The Inevitable Future of Drones Around Your Home

By Mitchell Parker

As Google joins the push for airborne deliveries, it seems only a matter of time before neighborhoods are buzzing with drones. Is that OK?

Sponsored