Oh Luna, Possible but it is not an easy chore we use a Sawzall, tape around the middle, sit it on a coffee can use a skill saw to score the outside then set it in a hole in the ground and take the sawzall to it. the more we do the better we get of course, the cuts were really jagged to start with now they are getting better, Yesterday my son held them in his hands while my JH sawed, I love both of them but I wouldn't hold the ball....LOL As for Aphids..I don't worry too much about them as we have an abundance of traned lizards...LOL My garden friends....they pretty much keep my insect population to a minimum I only have issues with caterpillars and spider mites.....Here is a pic of my favorite lizard.....From Garden Lizard From Garden Lizard

Such a cute picture. Because I'm in a new subdivision and large trees are scarce in all the backyards, I wonder where my little ones will fly first? I do have a red maple about 6 yards from the box, but it's not directly in front of it. I have a couple of wax myrtles and vitex shrubs near the box. Maybe they will serve as their first stopping off point. Will the parents perch where they want the babies to fly toward them? I've never been present in the past when any of my BBs fledged, but I've witnessed house finches reluctantly fledging. Spent one whole afternoon watching the parents coax them out a couple of years ago I loved it. I hope I can be present when the BBs fledge.

Our bluebirds usually fledge on day 17 or 18, so it won't be long now! The parents might stop feeding them, or bring food and not let them have it, hovering in front of them and teasing. They will get hungry, and the parents will call to them. Eventually, each one will get up into the entrance hole (or window LOL), and peek out more and more, often going back in, while others take a turn. When you see toes on the windowsill, they are very, very close. Once I watched a little boy try to take off, but he would not let go of the box. Then he had one wing in and one wing out. It took him about a 1/2 hour to figure out what to do next, but he eventually made it to the trees. The parents will then guide them to the safety of the trees, either by calling them or leading them. Our best hope is that when they go, they can really fly, otherwise, they are vulnerable to predators; hawks and cats and such. Enjoy the show. And don't blink. We set up a video camera once, to try to catch one bluebird fledging. The whole 8-hour tape was absolutly nothing--no peeking, no toes, nothing. At about 7 hours & 45 minutes into the tape, a blur went by. That was it! BlueBars

I had a Cooper's around here last year, but it only stole baby Blue Jays. It would come every evening about the same time, and the Jays would go nuts. I didn't have Bluebirds nest here last year. I am very thankful I have not seen the Cooper's this season. It must worry you sick. I sure hope your baby Blues are able to hide well enough. I know the Cooper's have to eat too, but I sure wish they'd stick with Starlings and House Sparrows.