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Bluebird Protection/Egg Laying

10 years ago

Hello! I am new to the forum. I have a pair of Eastern Bluebirds nesting in my birdhouse. This morning, I noticed a House Sparrow fly up to the birdhouse and enter. The male Bluebird was in a nearby tree, and immediately chased him out and away. Neither of the Bluebirds have been harmed. I haven't seen any other sparrows attempt to go up to the birdhouse since, thankfully. I immediately started researching on ways to deter these House Sparrows, and I ordered a Sparrow Spooker. It should arrive within 1-3 days. However, I read that you should not install the Sparrow Spooker until the first egg is laid, as the sparrows may become used to seeing the spooker and it won't deter them. So my question is, when will the female begin laying her eggs? The Bluebirds started scoping out the birdhouse about 4 weeks ago, and I am assuming they built their nest over the past week, while I was working out of state, because I looked inside of the birdhouse after the sparrow had went in, and I see a nest that appears to be complete, however I did not see any eggs. I live in Central Missouri if that makes a difference on when she will lay her eggs. In the meantime, any suggestions for further deterring any sparrows until the spooker arrives? Also, I got busy pruning trees, cutting down ivy, and removing any other plants that the sparrows may be attracted to for rest or nesting. Thank you so much for your time and help! I would literally grieve if anything happened to these Bluebirds.

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Comments (7)

sagrinin
10 years ago
Sometimes it takes 4 or 5 days after the nest is built for the blues to start laying eggs. I strung fishing line on either side of the entrance hole. I used 4 tacks...two on the top on either side of the hole and two on the bottom. Just wrap the fishing line around the tacks on either side of the hole, close to the opening but of courses not blocking it. I found out how to do it online. I leave it there all of the time. That is supposed to help. I also use a sparrow spooker after the first egg is laid. I have 3 baby blues now.
dzyg
10 years ago
I used monofilament line last year and it worked when a HOSP was harassing the Blues building a nest. I put it around the outer edge of the top and in an X on the top and then a square around the entrance hole. Here is a photo...it worked really well. I did add a spooker after the first egg was laid too. Just keep checking the box and you will see when you can add the spooker.
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Kendra, I don't know for sure but I've seen sparrows poking around on the ground too and have assumed there are seeds---weed seeds or something that they like. I have mourning doves doing the same. Congrats on your egg! I'm hoping for the same very soon.... Ann
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Well I was so busy I was unable to visit the forums for responses. Kendra I haven't heard or seen HOWR in the vicinity. To add to that, the blues and swallows laying are around 100 yards apart. This is my neighborhood backyard site that has 2 pairs spaced 20 ft between boxes and about 100 or so yards apart. Nor have I found any destroyed eggs. I had HOWR problems in the past and that's why I moved the boxes...they are in my neighbor's massive field. Okay...The TRES and Blues didn't lay any more eggs! The TRES still have just TWO and they don't appear to be incubating. the other TRES nest that has 4 eggs are still unhatched (presumably gone bad due to upper 40 degree weather a few days ago) Another strange thing...at site #2 the swallows layed just 3 eggs and not sure if THEY are even incubating! What it the world is wrong with my birds this year?! By the way, I now think I've lost 3 female bluebirds already this year! If I lose one more I will top last year's record! Which was 3 in one season! I saw the male bluebird perched on the sparrow spooker in the Am and the powerlines in the PM. No sign of Mrs. Blue. Really wish I knew. This is the STRANGEST nesting season ever! My bluebirds can't even manage to complete a clutch! I might not see nestlings this year if this keeps up:( Mr. Blue might decide to leave:(..........why?!
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I would like to invite you to join the bluebird nut cafe forum. It is much more active than this site and we have many veteran bluebirders that can give quick answers. Check us out! http://bluebirdnutcafe.yuku.com/
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EADeBeaux
Original Author
10 years ago
Thank you sagrynin and dzyg for the information and the monofilament idea. I had went out and purchased all the materials for the monofilament, and the day I was going to put it on the nest box, the female began laying her eggs! That very same day, my Sparrow Spooker arrived in the mail, so here it is! My husband installed a galvanized metal "wrap" around the wooden post, as well, so other predators cannot climb up into the nest.
bluebirdbabe
9 years ago
Great job getting the spooker up!! your blues should be safe :) He sure is beautiful!!
JordanWalker
9 years ago
You are really a bird lover since you would do anything for your Blue birds. I know that the Sparow will no longer come to your bluebird's nest because of your Sparrow Spooker. I know that your blue birds are now safe.
glenn_ks
9 years ago
I am guessing you just put the monofilament in a square around the entrance hole. What does this do? and also on the top?
tmann05
9 years ago
The monofilament is invisible to the sparrows so their wings would hit it when they try to enter the box and become scared. They are color blind. Also after the blues are done nesting I would move your box away from pine trees. House sparrows love to hang out and even build nests in pine trees.

I would like to invite you to join the bluebird nut cafe forum. It is much more active than this site and we have many veteran bluebirders that can give quick answers. Check us out!

http://bluebirdnutcafe.yuku.com/

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