Christie, I had my fence rows cleaned last fall and need to spray to keep the hedges and underbrush from growing back. Local co-op recommended a product by the name of PastureGard (Dow Chemical product). I do not need an applicator license to use it and was told that it should do the job that I want. I have not applied it as of this day because I am waiting on some of the stumps to sprout additional leaves. Should be ready in 2 or 3 weeks. Can't tell you how effective it will be but the information I found on-line on PastureGard appears favorable. It is in no way cheap as 1 gallon cost me $52.00. The mixing ratio is shown on the container. Down here all chemicals recently took a huge jump. Gas keeps on getting closer to the $4.00 mark. It just went up today to 3.67 gallon most name brands. Been reading about all the severe weather in your parts. Hope things settle down soon.

Those bluebirds are stressed. They are far north of there wintering grounds many winter here (RI) from the far north then in march migrate north please the reason why that bluebird if holding on to the suet holder is they love suet and peanut butter. Please add some small cuts of suet nearby that way they can feed. If you have 1.5 acres of open space they will nest nearby. Slot box's are ok. But no box is sparrow free. The population of house sparrows in Maine is nothing like southern NE. If you live out in the country far from development dont worry about sparrows. They favor very developed area's and less comon in the country. If you place a bluebird now in the center of your yard and not near a tree they will roost at night in the box. The box should be on 1 inch conduit pipe that will keep down most predators in Maine. Just make sure dont place box on a tree. And center of the yard. Right now there food supplys are running low thats why they are at the feeder they like bittersweet,mulitiflora rose hips,winterberry,holly. To name a few. If you get ice please set out some food that is ice free that way they can feed. Its not worth it for them to migrate now. They are probably the oldest birds in the town and will try and over winter since they know there is a good supply of food nearby. If they fly south and we know they are local Maine birds they could fly into a area well south of them that is much worst and most if not all would perish if the area is ice cover and they have no idea of local food supply's the birds are now dependent on you! The bluebirds are probably very old and some may even have a mild injury thats why they have been left behind. MId february many of my birds start to return and by april 1 start to nest. Its much warmer here so things happen much sooner. If the weather stays snow and ice free in New England we could be looking at a great season for the birds since so many have done well here this winter. Hundeds more will start there trip north in late february. Sadly many are killed in late season snow storms since they have no clue where the food supply's are and the stress and cold kill many. Best of luck! --Ray

thanks guys!! my pair of blues have been coming back, they sit on top of the spooker. I have not seen the female go into the box but she may not be ready to lay eggs. (and I was gone all yesterday) The good thing is that they come back to the box everyday. Another thing...sparrow spookers do work!!! The hosp. wanted to fly to the box and as he got closer he did a quick "U" turn away from the box. Since the hosp. do not have a box, but are still around, I'm having my daughters friend come over with his pellet gun...I'm not taking any chances....the hosp. will be gone!

Just this morning, Feb 27, I decided to clean the blue bird boxes. I was shocked to find 11 dead birds in one of the boxes. Located in east central Mo. we have had some below zero nights but I can't determine how long these birds have dead. They looked really pathetic. I thought that I had been taking really good care of them during the cold weather, putting out lots of mealworms, other food and making sure they had water. I had as many as 15 at the feeder some days even during the cold weather. Now when I go out and whistle for them to come get their mealworms only one shows up. It must have been the whole flock that died in that house, so sad. Harry