I do not have enough room for purple martins, not enough space between trees and house. Its not really open enough for bluebirds either but my neightbor has a very large open lawn and I always hope that blues or tree sparrows would notice that and use my houses. Almost all the houses had dried bird poops so something has been using them for roosting this winter. I am also hopeful of someday getting nesting flying squirrels. I used to think that there were none around here but I found out last fall that this was not true as somehow one wound up inside my house. Buy was I surprised to see it. Had to open both the front and back doors open wide and then chase it around the house until it ran out. Cute little thing and smaller than I expected.

Update: they finally stopping fighting on the 8th day, May 6. I heard Tres making noise in the morning of May 6 and looked outside, saw male bb and TRES as expected. But, TRES didn't dive bomb bb as before, they just stared at each other, sometimes just 8 ft apart. No fighting the whole day, bb hang around for a lot longer period of time that day. May 7th, bb rarely showed up. TRES carried a few straw to build nest, then stopped. Today, rain. No activity The way they are going about building nest, I don't think they will ever finish:-(

Hey Michelle and Cathy, I love the TRES too (had seven pairs nesting here last year!) but since TRES are so prevalant here it is more exciting to get a Bluebird pair, kwim?? I have noticed though that until the TRES start nestbuilding they will defend the house they chose and any houses near it and when they start a rucus all the TRES in the area come to join in. The TRES were MIA yesterday with the sudden drop in temps and only one pair is around today. Just this morning a male Blue was sitting on the house that I took the pic of the TRES on and he was singing away. I think he is alone trying to find a female. Hopefully one shows up before the TRES return which I am sure will be on Wednesday. Supposed to be pretty yucky today and tomorrow yet with cool temps but back up to 60 by Wednesday. I would just like at least one Blue pair either here or at the park along with all the TRES. =) Donna

I have to say I have one male BB this year that has a big attitude. He already has babies in one of my BB boxes and things are going well, but he keeps going to the TRES box and sitting on the top then peeks in constantly (the TRES also have eggs and a nest). This drives the TRES crazy. My kids love to run out and chase Mr. BB away. The other day the 3 birds were on the ground fighting - this may be why you were were also seeing this. Usually they do tend to leave the boxes alone after they have occupied one of the houses, but sometimes this is not the case. Good luck!