Thank you for the warm welcome. I like to think that I have some knowledge lol. I have links to pictures of my backyard and my neighbors backyard. What do you guys think? I circled the boxes in red in both my yard and my neighbors. My neighbor has 2 of my boxes in her yard and 2 purple martin houses which she plans moving out into the open more. I have not seen any house wrens but I do expect to see some in the next month or so. I haven't seen any TRES here at all yet. I did however see a flock of a dozen EABL fly over my area last fall before winter. http://i66.photobucket.com/albums/h267/t_mann05/photo1_zps2cbbffb2.jpg http://i66.photobucket.com/albums/h267/t_mann05/photo-2_zpsb9c85f75.jpg This post was edited by tmann05 on Thu, Apr 4, 13 at 21:42

I put up two boxes, expecting the blues to choose the typical NABS approved style but they chose the Gilbertson PVC model and Mama is incubating five eggs in there. This is her third try at nesting this year. The first two were total failures, for several different reasons I won't go in to here. I left the NABS box up and it was close enough to the Gilbertson that the bluebirds have been perching on it and defending it too. This morning early I saw a bird perched on the NABS box and without my glasses I thought it was Mama blue. I looked through my telephoto lens and saw it was actually a male HOSP, all puffed up and chirping. Then I saw him fly into the box and he stayed in there a few minutes. I went down to install the VanErt in that box and my worst fears were realized. My male of 5 years (the one with the broken toe) was dead in the empty box. There was lots of feathers in the box and they were all blue. All of the damage done to him was above the neck. His eyes and even his bill were gone. I took pictures, mostly because I take pictures of everything, I guess. They are probably too graphic to post here. I removed the corpse and installed the VanErt. In less than 5 minutes the HOSP returned and entered the box. I removed him using the clear bag method mentioned by Donna and Kathy. I disposed of him by swinging the bag against a post. I don't think Mama knows what happened. She in on the nest but peeks out a lot as if looking for him. It should be interesting to see how this plays out; whether she attracts a new mate or tries to raise these babies (assuming they hatch) by herself. I intend to help her all I can but I worry about her not having Papa outside the box and on guard for her. Dave

We only have Nabs and Gilwood here, my dh made my Gilwood boxes. We put them up two Falls ago. Last year we didn't get Blues until late and all the Gilwoods were taken by TRES so they used a Nabs and didn't have a second nesting. This year again the Gilwoods were used by TRES and the Blues settled for the Nabs. Now however the TRES have fledged and the Blues are nestbuilding for the second time, they chose the Gilwood this time. I love the Gilwoods for the ease of adding a Van Ert trap. Easy to clean out too, my NABs boxes are top opening so harder to clean. I know my dh thought the Gilwoods were very easy to make if you are able. Dh used a hinge on the bottom of the door of the Gilwood so it swings open easily when you take the metal bar out. Donna Here is a link that might be useful: Gilwood nestbox plans

House Sparrows will use either box,they may not prefer one ,but they will not hesitate to use either.I myself like the Gilwood,I gave one of each to a friend this season ,His Blues chose the PVC over the Gilwood.I have not had any problems with Starlings in either box.I have had Sparrow problems in each. Matt