Welcome to the world of hosting bluebirds. I have had them nesting for 3 years now. I also knew nothing about hosp, etc. before web searching and finding this website. Have you read about sparrow spookers, inbox traps and repeating ground traps to deal with hosp? Also, with all your reasearch you have read about having your boxes mounted on slick metal poles with preditor baffles? The below link is a wonderful website devoted to bluebirds and other cavity nesters.

Here is a link that might be useful: Sialis.org

Mac We were all where you were at one time. Have you considered trapping? We always think there are about 10 until you catch 10 and then there are 10 more and 10 more. We only see 10 at a time even if there are 50. LOL Trouble is people up the road just let them breed and they keep moving down here. I use in box traps and a repeating ground trap. Much quicker and more effective than a bb gun (which I do use also) but a lot less time consuming (especially the ground trap).
Cathy

bbcathy: I originally thought that the pellet gun would suffice. I found out that I was a much better shot when I was younger......either that or the sight is off on this gun! lol I used a type of house trap that I had found on line, but for weeks the little booger evaded it. Then switched to another and within an hour I had him. I am going to look into ground traps.

renee: thanks for the info. I know I have only scratched the surface on the available info. that is out there.
I have placed sparrow spookers on the 2 boxes that are being used. Due to the high winds we have had recently, I have been adding pieces/streamers? one-by-one so as to not scare the blues.
I am worried though about the effectiveness of the spookers. Our wind has been high for several days straight. The streamers/pieces? (don't know what they are called) are pretty much horizontal @ all times.
Will this still work? Any suggestions on changes?

your welcome, If its a windy day I paperclip the streamers together and let one at a time down each day. After the bbs accept the spooker high winds wont stop them from entering the nestbox just make sure the females have layed an egg before mounting the spookers. I think that it is the movement of the streamers that spook the hosp from going near the boxes. I've heard that its days with no wind whatsoever that is a concern with hosp.

You may not see HOSP or hear them but they are there. The sialis site is a massive store of precious info that you can take hours and hours to read and absorb. Yes, it's turning into an obsession and takes up all previously wasted time watching TV. You will become known as a "bird nut", but that's OK. It's rewarding and it seems to join a lot of hobbies including gardening and woodworking. It's absolutely addicting. The folks here understand other bird nuts.

SLIGHT OBSESSION?????? What are you crazy???? There's no "SLIGHT" about it! LOL! Mulchmamma....TV? What's TV? Oh yea its that thing I am going to be able to watch inside the nest on with nest #2! I expect 2 things may happen...either the men in the white coats are going to come drag me away OR DH is going to file for divorce. Things would be ok if I had a maid, several close places for nice take out food, and an unlimited bank account so I never had to work.....I must say my yard, garden and pond always look their best right after the babies have fledged because I MUST be out there as much as I can to hear them, I call it keeping a watchfull EAR on them. LOL MAC.....you have only just begun, you will not believe what you will do for these birds. Welcome to pleasnt insanity! ;D

Mac,

Hi, my name is Linda and I'm a bird addict (esp. bluebirds, I'll admit). LOL

I started with bluebird boxes in 2004 and have gone through all the stages that you describe except the BB gun (knock on wood, I don't have problems with HOSP but don't even breathe the words 'house wren' to me...long story).

You will find that you will wake early and the first thought on your mind is 'how are the birds'? And you will go to bed with the words 'hope the birds will be ok.'

As far as info, besides the link to sialis.org, this board is the best place I can think to come to ask questions, the place you come when things have gone bad and you just want to cry to someone, the place where you won't be judged because you have mealies in your fridge.

As Lisa so aptly put it: you have just begun. It's a long story but I was recently seen throwing a kitchen implement at a bird who was causing problems. In a past year when it was extremely hot, I put not only 1 reflective umbrella over the bluebird box but I dragged my patio umbrella from the back yard to front, along with the heavy base, and put it over the umbrella and the box.

We are certifiable. But we have each other :)

Hang in, enjoy what you can, accept that there will be times when things won't go the way you want them to.

bluebird blessings, Linda...

LOL Linda....it sounds like you ....(and us) are all at an AA meeting....Hi my name is....and I am a Blue Bird addict!

LOL!!! Thank you all! You understand!!