Noeyw - Glad to hear from you. I know what it's like to be at work and sneak peeks at the daylily forum. Post when you can. Chris - I still have Asian Fairy Bluebird in a pot, and that may be part of the problem. However, I have another Lambertson, Blue Eyes Glance, that has 8 fans and no scapes this year. Last year it had 6 mature fans and only two of them scaped. I've had that one five years and it's only bloomed one season. Some Lambertsons don't thrive in freeze and thaw winter climates like we have here. AFB may be one of them. Certulean Warbler also has 6 mature fans and no scapes this time. That's a real disappointment since it did so well last year. Debra

I see some friends from years past and friends I've yet to meet! I have a nest of titmice and brown-headed nuthatches but the bluebirds are nesting across the street, I think. As for snakes, after what happened last July here, I do not trust ANY baffle! The one made of netting looks promising and if I get any birds after these first ones, I'll try it. If you didn't see my article in the Bayou (Louisana) Bluebird Society's newsletter about what happened here with 5 bluebird fledglings last July, their parents and a snake, check it out below. I don't trust much of any kind of deterrent for snakes after this. Right now, there have been NO takers for that nest box even though the snake never got on the box. A pair of bluebirds looked in quite a lot but never did go in (there's a nestbox video camera in there). There were titmice, nuthatches, chickadees all looking at it but no one took it!!! It's a mystery to me. Let's hope our bluebirds and other birds have a safe and productive season despite the challenges. Bluebird blessings, Linda... Here is a link that might be useful: BIG surprise: bluebirds vs snake

20 PAIRS?! Count yourself lucky there Ray! I only have 6 boxes and two nestbox pairs and I am lucky to get more than 2 pairs. Plus, the Tree Swallow population seems to only be growing. They're as much of tyrants as House Sparrows! Without all the murder that is! I do enjoy their company and cooperation nesting aside my bluebirds. Ray, you must realize that that's A LOT of bluebirds! I know you have a large trail, and I'm only a backyard bluebirder, but you're truly fortunate! And to be able to work with these birds for 23 years? LUCKY!!!! I'm an extremely young bluebirder who might have to move to keep life going. Every day with these birds is precious. If I move away I have to adapt to the possibility of not having ANY bluebirds! This is only my 6th season and next year might be my last year with them for a while. I'm a young adult looking into college. If I do leave for that reason, I wouldn't keep my boxes up if someone doesn't manage them! That would be disastrous! To also mention one hell of a war I've put up against my local HOSP! Here in Ohio, any sunny drive during the day in the country finds a male or female bluebird perched atop the electric wires. Within a few miles is another pair. Also, realize that Bluebirds' nesting territory is HUGE!! Tree Swallows nest within 100 feet of each other! The swallow project website brings up a big fact...we will probably never get bluebirds back to their original population levels. There is simply too many HOSP, too much development, too many Starlings, etc. Be fortunate for what you have! How can one manage/afford all these nestboxes? It amazes me. Especially those with full time jobs!! Good luck as well. Enjoy the bluebirds you have. They're beautiful and amazing. But you simply can't have blues colonize like Martins, who, to me, seem to be even less of! They require much more specific requirements! Enjoy our amazing Bluebirds. They're one of a kind. ~Tim~

Hi Karen I have no clue how to post pictures on this forum. If you research on some web pages it may show the netting its also called the Kuger snake trap. I have lost so many bluebirds in 20 years of conservation work to snakes i feel no guilt they have had more than a lion's share. And i did try to protect with PVC but that did work the netting probably will insure I continue at least for a few more years now that the poor birds are on the rebound. In any southern snake invested state. Trust me they will find your baby bluebirds and will eat them The black Rat & Bull snakes. The black Rat is very rare here in South Eastern NE. But they to are around. And have taken Bluebirds. Any old field with large rocks is home to snakes. Dont be fooled if you dont see them there out at night. It took many years and different kinds of pipes and trash cans to protect my birds but the number one predator gaurd is the netting on the post. It so shocking you will be passing the word on to many Nest box managers in your community and across the country, Many Martin landlords are years ahead of us with this management trick in the south. I will never wonder what happen to my bluebirds? The snake population was growing on my nest box trail NOT ANY MORE...........Ray