Tim, sounds like my house. I have 3 boxes. I put fishing line on a box that some HOSP had started building a nest in. I took the nesting material out and opened the box for awhile. This happened about a month ago. I closed the box and put fishing wire near the entrance hole. HOSP didn't like that and they seemed to have gone away. Today they are back building a nest, fishing wire and all. I opened the box, took out the nesting material to deter them. My blues have already started laying eggs in another box. There are 3 eggs now. . One HOSP landed on that box. The blues chased them away. Then One HOSP landed on the other box (empty box) blues chased them away from that box. I will have to keep an eye on everything. I live on a golf course. My yard is fairly large, but not too large that I can't see comings and goings. I don't have fish wire on the other two boxes. May have to put some on the box the eggs are in and see if that will work. Hope it won't disturb the blues too much.

The thing is sagrinin, I can't even put my trap out! The two battle it out and it would be a 50/50 chance on catching the HOSP.

I even spotted Mrs. Blue roosting in the box tonight! I think I'm gonna set up another box nearby so that hopefully the HOSP pair will move into it and I can end this madness!

It's so weird though. The boxes at my 1st site (my home site) are vacant, even though the blues were at them this morning.

I also saw my first Tree Swallow today!

Further input would be much appreciated everyone!

This is a tough one. I like your idea of setting up a second box to try to entice the HOSP to trap them there instead. Like you said, you can't set up a Van Ert if the Blues are using the box, but it will end up a disaster if they nest there when the HOSP still want the box. Don't you have a DRST? I'm getting ready to set mine up as I seem to have a number of HOSP that have moved into this area in the last week. Blues won't be attracted to the bait, so it could work. I use popcorn, bread crumbs and white millet. Please let us know how it goes. Wishing you the best of luck with this difficult situation.

I haven't seen the HOSP come back yet after the blues chased them off. I have 4 eggs and I think she is already Incubating. I pray for a successful fledge but still concerned about the HOSP coming back. The box with the fishing line is still open. I will be gone for a few days soon. Keeping my fingers crossed everything will be ok. Having a friend check for me. I read it was too late to use a sparrow spooker once she starts incubating.

Yes Kendra, I have a DRST but I have not had much success with it, aside from catching about 20 juveniles form my neighborhood.

The DRST is almost too much of a hastle, even for a box that's almost 2 miles from my house.

I set up the 2nd box. There is nesting material in the main box now but it looks almost too messy to be a bluebird. The pair weren't there today...I heard a bluebird singing somewhere but the pair didn't show up like they did the other day.

Maybe the HOSP took over. Which may be a better thing. I need to get them trapped and out of the way.

~Tim

Sagrinin, Did you put up the sparrow spooker? If you have eggs, now is the time to put it up.

Tim, I didn't realize the box was 2 miles from your house. That would be an impossible task to keep track of what gets in there. I have check mine often, and go out every night and block the trapping mechanism or I end up with chipmunks by morning. Not possible if this was not in my yard. I think you're right about hoping it is HOSP setting up house. Then the trusty Van Ert will be of use. Wishing you luck.

I got him Kendra! I put the Van Ert in today, as my instincts were correct. The Bluebirds gave up defending the box, and Mr. HOSP was busy building a nest.

However, late this evening I saw a bird from a distance on the box, and the binoculars revealed it to be another Male HOSP! Hoping the blues haven't entirely given up! Last year it was similar and the blues waited it out until I took care of the HOSP.

Check out my latest post for more, "The pestilence continues"

~Tim~

Kendra, I have not put up a sparrow spooker. I thought I read that if she was incubating not to put one up. She is definitely sitting on them.

Sagrinin, I know it wouldn't be ideal to interrupt her but always better safe than sorry, as they say.

I say put one up and watch to see that she accepts it and is able to get past it.

She is dedicated to those eggs now and a spooker on top of the box should be little reason to abandon them.

In fact I've NEVER had a bluebird not accept a spooker. They often will perch on the arms too! They even tug at the streamers and try to rip them off.

~Tim

sagrinin...I have never had a Blue afraid of the spooker. Even though she has started incubating I would get the spooker up! It is better to put it up after the first egg is laid but if you have HOSP there...I would put it up now.

Tim, glad you got the one HOSP...hopefully you can get the other and the Blues come back.

Donna