I live in Northern VA and have TRES for the first time this year. I actually have seen up to 6 TRES at a time checking out my boxes. I think I have a pair interested as they sit on the box and go in and out but no nest or anything. In fact, whenever we have a cold or rainy day (like today in the 50's and rain) they seem to disappear. As soon as we have a nice day, they come back. I don't know specifically about Michigan, but here in VA, nothing yet. I also have HOSP and they visit my yard frequently. I am currently trapping with an Inbox trap and have gotten 1 so far. I am ready for any more that may come. I am hoping to get a bunch so they can't harass my cavity nesters. Good luck with your TRES! Alison Leesburg, VA

I just read that an opening 7/8"th tall and 2" wide will allow the TRES access but not the HOSPs. I am modifying a box today to try , my TRES have not started a nest yet and I have a pesky HOSP that I have not gotten yet so I will try this box until I get him! Can you modify the entrance of the gourd? I heard this type of entrance was first used for the Martins. I will send the link if I can find it. Oh here it is http://www.skmfg.com/movies/clinger2.html .

Donna, she had 2 before the horrid weather. She had pushed them down to the bottom and added feathers. (the ducks are back). Thursday I witnessed what looked to be a rape in her box. As I saw it she was not open to the bird sex. The next day he brought her a feather before he came in the box and did it again! LOL. Nest box cams can ofer too much info! LOL. Sitting with her head stickig out is exactly why I dont do Wren guards with these guys. I do with all other nesters. give her a few more days, I am sure you will see new egs.

I would think they would still be feeding it, they won't forget there is still one in there. They do sometimes withold food though to try to get them to fledge. Last year however I did find one fully feathered TRES baby in the nestbox when I went to clean out the boxes. I think it just couldn't get up and out the hole and the adults must have given up on it. The box did not have kerfs (built by some boy scouts) but it never caused a problem before, hole isn't more than 5 inches from the floor. I suppose I should have added some kind of ladder to the inside to prevent this from happening again but I never did. Most of our boxes here have six nestlings each, only three with five, one has seven. Last checked that one on day 12 and they all looked fine, I am hoping all seven make it and fledge, they are on about day 15 today so later this week they should be fledging. I have one box on day 17 right now and they are majorly peeking. They are in Gilwood boxes so multiple babies can look out at the same time. Donna