Christine, some nest boxes are better suited to BB's that others. The one in the link is a stardard BB box but there are other similiar designs. BB's prefer to nest in open fields and meadows that contain scattered trees and shrubs. Woodland habitats are less favorable to bluebirds. A number of other birds will use BB boxes including wrens and English sparrows. However wrens prefer nesting in a woodland locale. English sparrows, or house sparrows (HOSP) will nest anywhere and they are the greatest enemy to BB's. They've been known to kill the babies and build their nest right over them. So if you don't have the heart to discourage these aggressive birds, bluebirding may not be for you. Some people go so far as to trap the HOSP and kill them. There's a door on all BB boxes for monitoring or cleaning the box after the babies have "fledged" or flown the coop:)Birds will not nest in a box when the door is open. I use a stick to prop it open. These birds are smarter than you may think and they can close the door. I used to put large sticks in the hole but the HOSP would remove them. Then you MUST remove their nests. I wait until I see a couple of blues checking out the box...then I close it securely. It's best to mount your BB box on a metal pole. That makes it impossible for squirrels, snakes, racoons and the like to climb up. Many people use a "baffle" to keep predators at bay. There is a BB forum at gardenweb (naturenet) but I find many of them folks there to be super snobby so I don't post there. It's good reading tho. http://nature.gardenweb.com/forums/bluebird/ BB's are territorial when they're nesting so nest boxes should be placed a min of 100 yds apart. I have 2 boxes that are spaced about 40' apart and generally tree swallows will take one box and the blues will take the other, as the TS are also territorial. That way I figure they can look after each other. TS are amazingly acrobatic and watching them is such a joy. Both birds enjoy the company of humans and like nesting close to homes. Two of my boxes are placed in the middle of my perennial bed about 50-60' from my deck. I walk around the yard and work in the garden and they don't seem to mind at all. One last thing, blues start looking for nest sites around the end of April, 1st of May. Sometimes they'll start building a nest and then desert. No one knows why. Their preferred nesting material is straw or pine needles. Even tho there are several large pines in the vicinity of my boxes, they always go for the straw in my veggie garden. They can also fledge more than one brood in a season. Two years ago just as I had given up, a pair of blues moved in around the end of June and fledged 5 babes a month later. I hope that helps!! Here is a link that might be useful: BB box

They ARE worth it Donna! But I was so close! Loosing what I've lost this season makes me realize just how fortunate I WAS in previous seasons! About it being the same HOSP...Donna, my boxes are paired somewhere between 50-150 yards apart, and I've had HOSP show interest at more than one box at more than one pair. I wouldn't at all be surprised if it was the same HOSP. The thing that is bugging ME is that the HOSP that got past my Spooker isn't building a nest..just leaving droppings in my boxes and isn't around 95% of the time, making me worried I won't catch him soon enough. That is weird that they would only attack some and leave the others. I've had Wrens peck at 8 day old bluebird babies! Some wouldn't believe it..but seeing the bird perched atop the box soon after was all the proof I needed! Luckily all fledged. I saw the pictures over at the bluebirdnut forums. Poor things! I also have less worry for the TRES. I get MOBS of them some times! (earlier in the season mainly) I do think there may be less blues, but their territory is so much LARGER than TRES so it ends with less bluebirds. When I lost my first male Blue this year, suddenly 3-5 bluebirds started showing up! I rarely saw more than 2 before this. There are more out there...but they're strongly territorial, and despite what seems like a football field of distance between my boxes, I only get 1 pair. They (the bluebirds) have started a nest! But I've seen the male chase a Male HOSP all over the place, who has been chirping behind the boxes all day! He almost landed on the adjacent box, was fluttering near it, before the male BB picked it up instantly and chased it. I now have EIGHT HOSP fledglings in the DRST! HOW MANY ARE THERE?????? I've been catching 1-2 per day for the past 3+ days at least! I haven't caught any parents. Take that neighbor lady! lol. ~Tim~

They may not have been done laying yet, you may get 2 or 3 more eggs. THEY don't know YOU did it. Blues face losing eggs to Wrens all the time and just continue to lay until the nesting is a complete failure. You did the right thing in cleaning and replacing the nest. Please get reading on that Sialis sight. There are many more heartaches that can be prevented if you know what to do! We all makes mistakes especially when we are new. This pair will lay more eggs! Good Luck!

Thanks for a great idea Tim. I have been a member of Nestwatch for years. I love that I can share my data, and hopefully help with important information on nesting trends in different areas.