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'm sorry to hear that Liza! We have too many of them here! The blues have 1 or rarely 2 pairs locally seen and then we get a swarm (5-6 TRES) near a box with the main pair defending it's box and territory. And Kendra, at my paired sight there is a lake on the next property over and 3 on the property behind it. Site #2 has lakes but you have to move a few properties away. Okay so I was there again today. Swallow pair #1 has a completed nest so that box is locked up. At box #2 I approached to see Mr and Mrs. blue perched on the fence behind it. But of course later on I was again dive bombed. (so annoying! I just stood there in protest) Only a couple of pieces of grass in the box. I still haven't decided. Do I wait to see if the blues win out or double it up? I like the TRES, but it's really irritating that everywhere I go for bluebirds the swallows want every box and always seem to outnumber the blues. It doesn't make any sense. Even Dorene Scriven's "bluebird trails" mentions bluebirders giving up hope of having boxes only for the bluebirds. Ever since waging all out war on the HOSP the TRES have shown up. They can't steal a box from the HOSP but if it concerns the bluebirds, of course! They decide to come take it. UGH! The things just irritate the heck out of me! And this property has hardly any space for multiple boxes. There's too many trees and a fence in my way. Ugh. rather depressing nesting season. I've had enough of these TRES.

I have barn swallow nest under my balcony, which of course just has to be where my back door is. They have already had a baby, which they were aggressive towards us when we would walk out the door, but only as we passed it. The baby has flown away. We thought we were in the clear. But it appears THEY HAVE ANOTHER EGG. I Went out to get into my pool today and BOTH of them were extremely aggressive. They were both coming at me at the same time, flying at my head and circling around to come back. Mind you, my pool is more than a few feet away. With the other egg, as long as we walked past, they would fly past as if to Warn us, but then leave us alone. This time seems to be different. They followed me. I have 3 kids that I cannot allow in my back yard because of this. I am at a loss . I can not keep 3 kids locked in my house for a few weeks. There is no baby yet that I can see.

Well, The crushing of the pain pills and taking in water has caused ulcers in her mouth. So, we're actually back to taking whole tablets, but the struggle makes her gag. She's a 76 year old Cancer survivor. It's been 15 years now, but the radiation used to save her life has compromised her entire being. This year has been the worst. She is bedridden and is loosing the will to eat because of this swallowing problem.... I'm sad and feeling pretty helpless......