Donna, a sparrow spooker is used from the time the first egg is laid until the last baby fledges, not before that and not after that. If you have a nestbox and don't put the spooker up during the egg laying or incubation it can still be put up while their are hatchlings in the nest. You shouldn't put it up before egg laying as you don't want HOSP to get used to it but you can put it up anytime during an active nest. As soon as the babies fledge you should take it down again until the next nesting. I have no clue what you want to do seeing you think they may fledge tomorrow, it won't affect that at all however it would keep them safer from the HOSP. Even if you don't "think" you have HOSP, you just never know, it is better to be safe than sorry. Good luck, hope your Blues fledge safely! Donna

We only have Nabs and Gilwood here, my dh made my Gilwood boxes. We put them up two Falls ago. Last year we didn't get Blues until late and all the Gilwoods were taken by TRES so they used a Nabs and didn't have a second nesting. This year again the Gilwoods were used by TRES and the Blues settled for the Nabs. Now however the TRES have fledged and the Blues are nestbuilding for the second time, they chose the Gilwood this time. I love the Gilwoods for the ease of adding a Van Ert trap. Easy to clean out too, my NABs boxes are top opening so harder to clean. I know my dh thought the Gilwoods were very easy to make if you are able. Dh used a hinge on the bottom of the door of the Gilwood so it swings open easily when you take the metal bar out. Donna Here is a link that might be useful: Gilwood nestbox plans

Leslie...How wonderful to have a Bluebird trail! I have always had only one BB box up at a time but have always had good luck with it. A few years I had only Chickadees in it, but better that than HS. Here on the Cape I have no HS. I have worked hard at keeping them out of the yard. I count for PFW at Cornell so I feed all winter. I offer thistle, safflower, BOSS, sunflower hearts & suet...the HS are not interested. We are all birders in our neighborhood and keep a watchful eye & ear for any HS. My blood runs cold when I hear that chirp, chirp, chirp. That's when I get my sling-shot...and I'm a very good shot! A few years ago I watched as two adult male HS ganged up on a Chickadee, had it down on the ground pecking it until I jumped up and ran them off. I hate those awful birds! I am thankful that we do not have them here! But...I am always on the look-out!

I spent many hours researching farmhouse sinks and kept going back and forth on what model to buy and how much to settle for. Ultimately, the biggest deciding factor was the warranty. I was very close to getting a Belle Foret, but, it took me FOREVER to get hold of a sales representative on the phone and they told me they don't warranty the sinks! :-( Big downer. To spend several hundred dollars and not have a warranty was a done deal. I finally decided to splurge for a Shaw sink. With a 15 year warranty, I felt much more reassured. The company I bought from, Home & Stone, was BRILLIANT to work with. They were wonderful on the phone answering my endless questions and their representative even corresponded via email with me! (Many other GWers have had success with this company too! Thanks for the tip!) The sink came perfectly wrapped (even strapped to a pallet) and in perfect condition....in 3 days! Plus they don't charge shipping fees! It came to $888. That was definitely more than I wanted to spend, but, considering the reputation of Rohl/Shaw, the warranties, and the service of Home & Stone, I think it was well worth it! Also, quick side note: My sister-in-law works with building developers. She sells the homes once they're built. And, she warned me about going cheap on the farmhouse sinks - they installed "cheaper" ones in the homes and would get calls within several months of selling the home, complaints of chipping and staining. I don't know what models they installed, but just think through whatever you decide to go with! GL!!!!