UPDATES: For some reason they have stopped building. They built it for a couple days and just abruptly quit. The pair building is still here and even showed up this morning when I visited the box. It is a warm 70 degrees today. I don't think I've ever had a pair just stop like this for no apparent reason. Has anyone else? Sadly, I haven't seen the 2nd pair. Sigh....did trapping Mr. Blue really deter and scare them off?? I hope that didn't do them in. I appreciate 1 pair but I was so psyched! Think this happened last time 2 pairs showed up. The Tree Swallows were active at the 2nd pair of boxes where I caught the blue and also trapped the 2 male HOSP. The birds, like the weather has been, are slow to change. But It's so weird that given the temperature, there's no nest building going on!! Maybe a mate switch but I doubt it. Anyone else ever having nest building just stop abruptly???

Yesterday afternoon I discovered them making a nest in the hay loft. There is no way for me to get up to those rafters safely and my husband is away. I read on Sialis that some people have luck catching one in a small have-a-hart trap. So I set one up on the shelf in the stall that they hang out in. With any luck I will get one of them and then I can reset it. I am so frustrated by these destructive birds. There are only two right now and they seem to be running my life! I am deeply concerned about the mama Phoebe sitting on her clutch in the stall next door.

The Van Ert, for inside the nestbox, is to trap one at a time inside the nestbox. If you have HOSP harassing nesting bluebirds, you might want to try that in a mobile nestbox (see the link below). Ground traps are worth the investment if you have a lot of HOSP in the area. Or if you are handy, you could make one. Bet's web page provides links to several types you can buy or build. Also on Bet's web page below are other solutions you might want to try. Best of luck! BlueBars Here is a link that might be useful: http://www.sialis.org/hosp.htm

I would go ahead and put up the new pole and house setup now.while they are still nesting.This will give them a chance to check things out before they are ready to nest again.Believe me ,they WILL check it out.When this nesting on the tree is finished ,Just remove the box from the tree once they have fledged.At this time I would take that box and mount on a pole also somewhere else in your yard.Then you will have 2 safe available boxes for them to choose from.