Michelle and Jean, I think what you're describing is a nestbox/hanging system that is used by Linda Violet. She reports great success with western bluebirds with this system and claims that boxes installed in this manner at not as targeted by house sparrows. I have doubts that such a system would work in my area, however, both because of climbing predators and because of the dreaded house wrens. I think, also, that house sparrow behavior may differ in different parts of the country. I, too, would worry about handling a nestbox in this manner. Bluebird eggs and young are very fragile and I would be nervous about the possibility of them being harmed during the lowering/lifting process. Unfortunately, vandalism is an issue in many places and if this system works for those using it, I'm all for it. Kathy

I have a couple of boxes that I never put up because I can't figure out where to put them that predators wouldn't be a problem, And how do you end up with wrens instead of sparrows? They seem to take over every chance they get. That is inspired to put a camera inside the box. Fascinating to watch. At the end I could see the wire out the back, so it's not on batteries. So do you end up with hours of footage that you edit? I would imagine you can see chicks being born and any predator birds or snakes if they show up too.

Cute but I wonder what happens when those babies decide they want to watch tv when they are adult. I know it is a feel good story but.

I feed bluebirds mealworms for years, and enjoy seeing the babies grow. This year, the babies just fledged (after 23 days), however I found one baby dead in the box fully feather, there are no apparent wounds or injuries. I feel so very sad. The mom were feeding the babies as of last night, the baby shouldn't have died of starvation. Anyone would venture a guess as to the cause of the death?