Most people do clean the box out at the end of each nesting. I scrub the box with soapy water and rinse it. Then I use a 1 to 10 part water and bleach solution and spray the inside and outside of the box. Since bleach will evaporate in 24 hours I just leave the door open that long and then put it back up.
My blues take about a month between fledging and next nesting.

I clean out my box pretty much the same way and the very day or next day after they fledge. I leave it open to dry out completely. Last year, the first brood left on 4/25 and Mama started building on 5/11, so she didn't waste much time. I didn't get a third nesting, but maybe it was just too hot and Mom and Dad were probably worn out at that point!!!

Donna

Thanks. Mission accomplished. I took the box down, scrubbed and disinfected it. While it was drying, I put up another one I have not used in a few years ... a WBU one that looks quite a bit different from the one they were using. I put out some mealies and the male came to get the worms, he looked over that box, looked inside and outside ... flew around it ... he looked so confused. Actually flew in circles around it a couple of times and sat on top almost shaking his head.

A little while later he came back again and flew around it several times like he just couldn't believe what he was seeing.

When the other box was dry I put it back up. Soon here came the Mr. bringing the Mrs. with him this time. He sat on top of the box (now the familiar one that they had used since February). She sat on the fence watching him.

I could almost hear him say, "Honey, believe me. The house was different! I came to get the worms, they were in the same place, but the house was not this house! There was an entirely different house here on this pole."

Mrs. probably responded, "I told you that you were probably just at the wrong backyard. That's the same house we raised all those babies in. You got me all upset and excited and worried. Next time, just take a deep breath and don't get so upset!"

I would be interested to know if they accept the new nestbox. I have blues that have nested in the same box for several years. I'd like to put up one that is made of cedar. It's our official Texas Bluebird Society nestbox that Keith Kridler prefers. I have one about 40 feet from their preferred box, but my blues are not interested in the official TBS nestbox. I wish they would read the book!

Linda C

Blumz,

Your story about switching the houses made me smile and I thought I'd share my recent experience.

This year for the first time I put up a box with a slotted opening. To be honest, I was hoping to get pictures of several nestlings peeking out at the same time on fledge day. When I made the box I also made an interchangable panel with the regular 1 1/2 inch round hole. I put the box up, using the slotted opening and the birds seemed to like it.

A few days later the female began building a nest. On the day before she would lay her first egg, I saw a female cowbird land on the box, duck down and go in via the lotted opening. From out of nowhere Papa came charging like a linebacker. He arrived just as the cowbird was exiting the box and she apparently flew up into his path. In any case there was an audable thud as he crashed into her.

I have heard that cowbirds remember and sometimes punish birds that remove a cowbird egg from their nest.

The following morning Mama laid her first egg. Just 2 hours later a female cowbird removed the egg and dropped it to the grass, breaking it. The bluebirds were visably upset, as was I. I wondered if this was the same cowbird retaliating for what Papa had done.

I worried all day and into the night. Finally, at 1:30 a.m., I went out, removed the slotted panel and installed the one with the round hole. I also attached the sparrow spooker.

I was up early to see how the blues would react to the new look. When Mama arrived she was very cautious. Half an hour later she tried to get in through a tiny half-inch gap I had left at the top of the front panel. Finally she seemed to notice the round hole and soon thereafter went inside. She laid a second egg that morning and since then has laid two more eggs.

This afternoon I saw a female cowbird at the nest box. She flew around and pecked away at the tiny slot in much the same way Mama had done. She stuck her head into the hole but made no real effort to squeeze in.

Linda, I did not leave the new box up. Decided to keep using the one they were familiar with. It looks better in my garden anyway. :o) It is whitewashed with a slanted cedar shake roof. It is fresh and clean and all ready for a new nest. They keep checking it out when they come for their mealies. Hopefully, they'll be building a nest soon.

Dave, I can imagine how upset you and Mamma Blue were when that egg was destroyed. My neighbors would probably have heard me screaming at the cowbird! I'm betting that you have kept a constant watch on that box ever since. I have been seeing a few cowbirds, too. So far they haven't been a problem. They usually don't stay in my area long ... just a little while in spring, then they're off to "wherever" --- guess they're following the cows!