I second all Jane's thoughts. If you can be prepared, bluebirding is an extremely rewarding experience. Many of us(correction: MOST of us) have had to deal with house sparrows. I can't tell you how many people I've known who, in the first year hosting bluebirds they have success, and for some reason, the house sparrows become a bigger problem in the second year, and people are taken by surprise (or shock) when the house sparrows kill the male in the box, or the female as she incubates eggs, or they smash unattended eggs, or toss the eggs out. In my first experience, a male house sparrow killed 6 newborn hatchlings by pecking them on the head. So if you decide to proceed, just be prepared. Bet's web site, www.sialis.org is a wonderful resource, and we will be here if you need us. Another option is to add hole reducers and host chickadees, if they are in your area. The proper hole reducer will prevent house sparrows from entering. You might want to read up on that at the website linked below. P.S. The little round wooden thing that many bluebird nestboxes come with (some people call them "predator guards") which extends the entrance does not protect anything from predators. BlueBars Here is a link that might be useful: http://www.sialis.org/

Yes, i hope so too, he did see one earlier in the season, he must have been househunting too and went elsewhere. Anyway, doesn't the female come a few days later and make her decision? seems I read that somewhere, .These houses are probably about 30 ft. apart too. I wish they would both move in! The blues in the new box, properly mounted and the swallows in the old box, mounted on an electric pole, where they lived the prior two years (I don't know if they were the same ones). thanks for your response.

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...

Hi Catherine- No, it is not too late to have your house up for bluebirds. I have that plastic wall up on one side for viewing, but I can open the other side for cleaning it out. You could get bluebirds for a 2nd or 3rd brooding according to where you are. My bluebirds just completed their 2nd nest today- 1st brood fledged ~ 2 1/2 weeks ago. You could also get Chickadees if they have had failed nestings so far, which happens a lot. If you do get bluebirds to nest, put up a wren guard after that 1st egg has been laid. You can actually make one out of cardboard from a cereal box. If you don't know what that is, there should be plenty of info online for you to follow. Very easy to do! I don't have wrens, but do have house sparrows, so I put up a sparrow spooker after 1st egg has been laid. If you don't get anything this season, be patient for next season. According to where you are, would get your box up by February because they start shopping around that time. I keep mine up all year in case they need to roost in winter, but check from time to time so you don't get mice, etc. Good luck! Nicole