guiness, if you want to safely host bluebirds in your nestboxes you need to get a van ert and take care of those HOSP. If you cannot or will not control the HOSP's in your yard by disposing of them then you should not offer nestboxes. If the baby Blues fledged successfully then you "should" have about a week or two before the Blues will want to start another nest. Get a van ert inbox trap and rid your yard of the HOSP before that.

Donna

You could put the spooker back up,It should not bother the Blues,because they are use to it already.It should keep the sparrows out,Maybe also put up another box nearby,for the HOSP,with a reduced hole,when they get comfy ,trap em.

Guiness,
I agree with all of the advice on this forum.As a person who lost a Bluebird Mama to a HOSP while she was sitting on her eggs,I'll tell you this.You MUST get rid of the HOSPs before you allow the Blues to nest again in your yard.If you don't do this,you will place your Bluebirds in harms way.I now have a safe yard and host Blues each year but I have to be deligent about controlling the HOSPs.
michelle

I have been told I have to get rid of the HOSPs to protect the bb but how do I do this? I am new to birding this year and any advice would be greatly appreciate! Thank you

Thanks, I thought as much. Without duplicating a previous thread, any quick suggestions for "dispatching" the sparrows once they're trapped?

Guiness,

I sent you an email with the method I use. I received instructions from Bet Zimmerman who hosts sialis.org.

Linda C

Okay, thanks!

Honestly, I thought birding would be a rather non-confrontational interest.
Damned sparrows.

Guiness, I had HOSPs move in for the first time this year. I took some target practice, never shot anything before. 1 shot with a 22 was all it took. No pain no fear for the bird, just gone. A good pellet gun will do too. I know not everybody lives where this is an option but if it is I feel it's the best option and the most humane.

I don't agree with putting the spooker back up as the hosps will overcome their fear of them sooner or later. The less they see of the spookers the better they will work. Sialis says to never leave spookers up for this reason. Trapping and disposal is the most effective way to protect your Blues.
Cathy

I live in a pretty rural location so a pellet gun sounds like a good idea.

I agree with using the spooker only as a last defense for the baby bluebirds which is why I took it down after they took off.

Thanks again for all the advice.

My idea about putting back up the spooker and another house was intended to trap the HOSP,More then likely the HOSP would go to the house without the Spooker for trapping.After you trap him and dispose of him ,it is impossible for him to get use to it.LOL!

I wanted to add one more thing,I always recommend having 2 houses up,just in case a HOSP comes along,That way the Blues will always have another house to go to ,rather then leaving the area,If there is a HOSP trying to use one of my houses ,The Blues can go to the other,while I deal with the HOSP.I never let a HOSP hang around too long,before I trap him,I have found that many times even after you get the HOSP,the Blues will not return to the house(during that season) were they had a confrontation with a HOSP.Just something to think about,That is what I have found works for me.If a HOSP does show up,He is my number 1 priority.

Well that makes a lot more sense Matt. Don't know if I read that wrong or what. The eyes, they are going with age. LOL I always have several empty house here at my house. Usually by this time in the season the hosps know to stay out of my way or else.
Cathy

I have one house on one of my trails that the blues used last year for 2 broods.well this year that very same house has been my HOSP trap box so far for this season,which is fine by me,The blues are across the street with a spooker,and the TRES are across the field.I pretty much have trapped a pair of HOSP in that box every weekend for the last 5 weeks,maybe skipping 1 weekend.I thought for sure the HOSP problem would slow down a little by this time ,but a new pair keep showing up at this box,so I keep trapping.They are welcome to try to use this box ,because they won't be around long.

Matt