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

That's cool Ray! I am a serious Purple Martin landlord wannabe! This will actually be my 4th season trying to establish, and I have learned so much over that time. The first 2 seasons, my pole was not in an optimal location, and so I moved it a few feet to a better location last year. Had LOTS of visitors last year, and am hoping that some of them will come back to me this year. I am offering 6 Troyer vertical gourds right now to start. Originally offered a house and some gourds, but found that the house only attracted the HOSP's in. I think that Martins in my area prefer gourds anyway. I have lots of Purple Martin landlord friends and some who live nearby to me fill their 80+ gourds each season. They are so much fun to observe!~~Angie

Depends where you are located. Are you in town or on the outskirts? For the most part Bluebirds are not in town so to speak but that all depends on the town itself as far as how big the lots are and how much open land there is. I know in town here closer to the edge of town I do hear Bluebirds. Is your birdhouse easily visable from the air or trees? Putting up a bluebird feeder will not attract Bluebirds since Bluebird need to be trained to come to a feeder so you need to actually have Bluebirds around before you can start feeding them. Bluebirds primarily eat insects, in Winter or cooler months or if bugs are scarce they will eat suet or berries though. But during nesting season they pretty much stick to bugs. Pretty much putting up a house and waiting is what you need to do to attract Bluebird so you are doing things right, especially if you have read and followed the advice on silais on how to properly install a nestbox. Have you had any interest in your birdhouse from other birds? Have you seen or heard any Bluebirds in your area? Donna

20 PAIRS?! Count yourself lucky there Ray! I only have 6 boxes and two nestbox pairs and I am lucky to get more than 2 pairs. Plus, the Tree Swallow population seems to only be growing. They're as much of tyrants as House Sparrows! Without all the murder that is! I do enjoy their company and cooperation nesting aside my bluebirds. Ray, you must realize that that's A LOT of bluebirds! I know you have a large trail, and I'm only a backyard bluebirder, but you're truly fortunate! And to be able to work with these birds for 23 years? LUCKY!!!! I'm an extremely young bluebirder who might have to move to keep life going. Every day with these birds is precious. If I move away I have to adapt to the possibility of not having ANY bluebirds! This is only my 6th season and next year might be my last year with them for a while. I'm a young adult looking into college. If I do leave for that reason, I wouldn't keep my boxes up if someone doesn't manage them! That would be disastrous! To also mention one hell of a war I've put up against my local HOSP! Here in Ohio, any sunny drive during the day in the country finds a male or female bluebird perched atop the electric wires. Within a few miles is another pair. Also, realize that Bluebirds' nesting territory is HUGE!! Tree Swallows nest within 100 feet of each other! The swallow project website brings up a big fact...we will probably never get bluebirds back to their original population levels. There is simply too many HOSP, too much development, too many Starlings, etc. Be fortunate for what you have! How can one manage/afford all these nestboxes? It amazes me. Especially those with full time jobs!! Good luck as well. Enjoy the bluebirds you have. They're beautiful and amazing. But you simply can't have blues colonize like Martins, who, to me, seem to be even less of! They require much more specific requirements! Enjoy our amazing Bluebirds. They're one of a kind. ~Tim~