My bluebirds have been building a nest since early - mid week last week and look about finished, here in N.E. Ohio The latest weather I just saw, after 3 straight 80 degree days, says we are gonna be in the 40's by the end of the weekend! BAD!!! Cherry, Dogwood, and Magnolias have ALL broke out into bloom! Other trees are pushing out leaves. The trees are WEEKS ahead of normal. Really hope my blues don't get a cold spell. Like tobygirl, I also lost a nest of blues to a sudden cold snap. One evening they were very poorly tending to the young. It was around 70 then. The next day, 50! 4-5 nestlings starved to death. I pulled the plug on the attempt after observing them laying in the nest stiffly, with no ability to chirp and couldn't raise their heads. When there were winds and cold rain. ~Tim~

Sometimes it takes 4 or 5 days after the nest is built for the blues to start laying eggs. I strung fishing line on either side of the entrance hole. I used 4 tacks...two on the top on either side of the hole and two on the bottom. Just wrap the fishing line around the tacks on either side of the hole, close to the opening but of courses not blocking it. I found out how to do it online. I leave it there all of the time. That is supposed to help. I also use a sparrow spooker after the first egg is laid. I have 3 baby blues now.

I am new to bluebirding as I just put up a nestbox in late February. I woke up on my birthday to see a male and female atop the box. So very exciting and what a perfect gift. Since then, about a week ago, I see them some days but others not. This morning I saw the male and thought I saw the female inside but not sure. I'm in an urban area of Atlanta but I haven't seen any HOSP. Or snakes. Does anyone know if I need the guards and traps now?

Hi- I think in most of TX, they're eastern. There may be a tiny area in west TX that could be western. You should be able to google map range of bluebirds to know for sure. Enjoy your bluebirds!