Bluebird Pearls for Happiness
teddymom
20 years ago
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lazy_gardens
20 years agoteddymom
20 years agoRelated Discussions
Bluebirds in my garden
Comments (3)This is our first year to host the bluebirds. I think it is because we've trimmed out the pine trees and there is a bit more open space. I'm also thinking the nesting pair of bluebirds might be very young, and nest sites are at a premium. The morning they arrived looking for a nestbox, I had a fake box hanging on the yew stump (I cut things tall to use not short to get in my way) and they tried very diligently to enter the hole and could not. That's when I called my friend, who has a big property right on the river, and asked for help with any box she might provide. Sure enough, she had two new boxes about to go up, and she brought one over right away. Within an hour or two, I had it up (a little clumsy but up)and they were sitting on top of it. Whew, that was a close call! I moved into this white stucco cottage the spring after Katrina destroyed our new house on the river--only lived there a month--and while this smaller house was not perfect for us, we've grown tired of relocating, and I'm eager to stay put where I can garden to my heart's content, and keep in touch with all the wildlife frequenting the area. Just last week, I got the NWF to certify my property as a BACKYARD HABITAT and the sign for it is on its way here now. Grandma's rock!! Here is a link that might be useful: Backyard Habitat Certification...See MoreSpare-O-Door Trap\Help Bluebirds!!
Comments (2)Rachel, A quick pull on their neck and they are done for. House Sparrows do not belong here at all and they are not humane at all when they raid the nest box of a pair of Bluebirds. They grab the skull of the female most often as she tries to defend her nest inside the cavity. Then they slowly pinch and pinch until the female Bluebird is dead. I have even see where they have built their nest over the dead body of the female Bluebird and her eggs. Because of this I feel no pity at all for them and no it is not their fault they are here but that is no reason to tolerate them in any fashion. Once you trap and destroy these no good birds for a few seasons you start noticing how many more native American birds are starting to show up at your feeders and that is a wonderful thing. Getting rid of House Sparrows and Starlings helps all native birds not just the bluebird and because of my trapping and killing them native birds of all kinds are very common here...Mike...See MoreExcitement of bluebird sighting turns to sadness
Comments (2)Well, bluebirds are funny. Even though we build them "perfect" boxes, they will nest in strange places, and I think we all wish we could get inside their heads sometimes! Some people will either put out mealworms, sprinkle nesting material around the base of the box (usually pine needles), or even put a blue ribbon on the top (take down when bluebirds come, as it reminds the male of the wing-wave of another bird). However, despite best-laid plans, nature has a way of forging its own path. I saw a similar situation with tree swallows last summer - they chose a cheap decorative birdhouse with holes on both sides, totally odd size and layout to the house, hanging unsteadily on a branch. They built a nest and I believe had eggs, but later abandoned it (too many children around). I can still peek in and see the nest/feathers because there's no way to open it! I can only imagine how discouraging it is that your blues aren't nesting in your box, but look on the bright side: you can still see them coming and going, and since bluebirds often come back to the same vicinity next year (or even for their next brood) perhaps you can entice them to your box with some yummy mealworms. :) Best of luck!...See MoreAbandoned bluebird nest, please help, I'm new
Comments (5)Hello Michael, First I am glad you found this site, I was happy when I found it to, but I would like to invite you to join the bluebird nut cafe and we will provide you with all you need to know about these birds. It is way more active and you will get fast answers to your questions. Hope to see you there. http://bluebirdnutcafe.yuku.com/ Secondly your bluebird pair have committed to that nest with eggs so they won't abandon it easily. How much rain are you getting? One year I had blues there were several days of rain and no bugs except earthworms around to feed the babies. They didn't survive despite the parents efforts. My guess is your pair has left to find a food source and will return. I do find it odd that they left when you are providing mealworms. I would recommend you ask this question on the bluebird nut cafe site to get other's input. -Tyler...See Morelazy_gardens
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