This is our first year to host the bluebirds. I think it is because we've trimmed out the pine trees and there is a bit more open space. I'm also thinking the nesting pair of bluebirds might be very young, and nest sites are at a premium. The morning they arrived looking for a nestbox, I had a fake box hanging on the yew stump (I cut things tall to use not short to get in my way) and they tried very diligently to enter the hole and could not. That's when I called my friend, who has a big property right on the river, and asked for help with any box she might provide. Sure enough, she had two new boxes about to go up, and she brought one over right away. Within an hour or two, I had it up (a little clumsy but up)and they were sitting on top of it. Whew, that was a close call! I moved into this white stucco cottage the spring after Katrina destroyed our new house on the river--only lived there a month--and while this smaller house was not perfect for us, we've grown tired of relocating, and I'm eager to stay put where I can garden to my heart's content, and keep in touch with all the wildlife frequenting the area. Just last week, I got the NWF to certify my property as a BACKYARD HABITAT and the sign for it is on its way here now. Grandma's rock!! Here is a link that might be useful: Backyard Habitat Certification

Well it took till almost 7 PM yesterday, but Mr. HOSP is gone for good!! The horrific thing this year is seeing HOSP travel in small flocks! Never seen it before this year. I put the nest back in. Came home today and found an intact egg! The spooker has gone up! Proud of the bluebirds for not giving up! I got 1 pair incubating 5 eggs, due to hatch May 5-7. With all having spooker, wish me well with these 3 pairs!

I think the mossy nest does belong to a chickadee, and it is a beautiful nest. I have several different styles of boxes. I have several that I made over the last 3 years. I have 2 that I bought from Walmart that have plexiglass to view the nest. Don't waste your money on these. They are to small. I removed the plexiglass last year. The bluebirds did take to them this year for the first time. I have two houses that my Mother-in-law put up about 25 years ago that have the words "Baily N.C." on them. They are still in good shape. Seem almost indestructable. Something always builds in them. I have several houses by Stokes built to NABS standards. They are one of my favorites. I also have a Gilwood house. It is one of my favorites also. I put it up on a Saturday, went back the next day to check it and a pair of bluebirds had already claimed it and started a nest. The blues really like it. I am very lucky and don't have a big problem with HOSP. I do have a deluxe repeating trap, and a Van Ert in box trap that I use. I have a much bigger problem with starlings getting into my purple martin housing. As a side note, I live in Tennessee. We had a lot of tornadoes go through here today. A tornado went over the hospital were I work, but did not touch down. All we had was hail damage. But the town just a few miles north of us (Murfreesboro) got slammed. Lots of damage, lot of homes destroyed, and some deaths. Those folks need your prayers. More expected through here Sunday night.

I am new to bluebirding as I just put up a nestbox in late February. I woke up on my birthday to see a male and female atop the box. So very exciting and what a perfect gift. Since then, about a week ago, I see them some days but others not. This morning I saw the male and thought I saw the female inside but not sure. I'm in an urban area of Atlanta but I haven't seen any HOSP. Or snakes. Does anyone know if I need the guards and traps now?