You're such a softie! Way to go big guy! I took a recip saw and cut 8" of downspout once and saved a stinkin' Starling. I wish it had been a Bluebird though!

Yeah Angie it really depends on the aggressiveness of the birds. Last year the blues and TRES would fight here and there. The blues would land on the TRES's box and they would come after them but the blues refused to budge. Even after multiple dives the blues just wouldn't budge! They used it as a perch mainly. But when the swallows landed on the blues box....look out! I recall the Male and Female each pinning the swallows to the ground a time or two. The male would frequently chaise them if they got anywhere close. This year they perch on each other's boxes but usually split up when together. If the swarm of the swallows comes in the blues leave. But the swallow pair next to the blues perches on their box and if they see another swallow land on the blues box they chaise them down and flutter. Same with the blues! Another Male bluebird (His call sounded like a fledgling from last year, maybe it is? Can anyone answer this) showed up today and the primary male chaised the other male high in the sky and ran it off. These two species are so alike aren't they?! But why is there a swarm of swallows at my boxes and only 3 bluebirds? They face the exact same problems but yet the poor bluebirds are always out-numbered! Mr. Blue was perching on, entering, and singing on the box. He'd then perch nearby and when the female landed on the box he was wing waving like crazy! But she landed on the front and landed on the top frequently. I hope they start building soon! Just not laying! Worried about cooler temps. 47 tomorrow and then 50's and 60's the rest of the week.

Karen - Seems your female is a bit ahead of schedule... But I would hope you still have a good chance for hatchlings if she's incubating and staying in the box a lot. I suspect she knows she has to keep those eggs warm, and will try to. Connie - Sorry I know next to nothing about ducks. I would worry too if they're not incubating yet. Our Missy Blue has been incubating 5 blue eggs day and night for the past 10days. She spends most of her time on the nest, with just short breaks during the day. Her Mr.B is feeding her thru the hole like a champ. It's also a good bit warmer here I'm sure, altho we've approached freezing two nights since the last egg was laid. I wish best luck to all of us, Kenn

Great job ralleia! After witnessing some nasty behavior and nature of these birds and even though some people don't understand it, trapping is the only permanent and true solution! Also, check cracks in buildings and pine trees that HOSP congregate in for nests. I've destroyed dozens of eggs this way. Is it the Deluxe Repeating Sparrow Trap? (DRST) I'm hoping to get one soon. Anyone know how long Mr. Blaine Johnson takes to ship? I've bought spookers from him and it takes about 1 - 2 weeks. Really wish I had one ATM! My backyard neighborhood has seen a major dent in the HOSP population thanks to me. At my 2nd site, it's a totally different story. You hear HOSP every day and see them all over. But I've done some inbox trapping. Really wish I had the DRST so I could wipe them all out!