Oh, I needed that laugh! Yes, one bird finds seed and then proceeds to yank out his cell phone and call all the other birds in the area. Soon, every bird within twenty miles is out on the lawn. Flocks from the next state are just hitting cruising altitude and will arrive sometime tomorrow. Go ahead and try to scare them off. They outnumber you. Ever seen the Alfred Hitchcock classic? Move slowly and do not carry grain-based food items... Really, you'll be just fine. You dropped millions of seeds, the birds can't possibly consume more than several tens of thousands--or less than 1%. The scratching and pecking also helps settle the seed in contact with soil and cover it, increasing germination of those seeds near the one(s) consumed. Bird poo contains great fertilizer, so there's another added benefit.

If you send me your address, I should be able to send you some seeds of Aster laevis 'Bluebird'. This may not seed exactly true-to-name, but you should get some plants that are very similar to the parent. This plant is still flowering in my garden so the seeds won't be ripe for a while yet.

I second all Jane's thoughts. If you can be prepared, bluebirding is an extremely rewarding experience. Many of us(correction: MOST of us) have had to deal with house sparrows. I can't tell you how many people I've known who, in the first year hosting bluebirds they have success, and for some reason, the house sparrows become a bigger problem in the second year, and people are taken by surprise (or shock) when the house sparrows kill the male in the box, or the female as she incubates eggs, or they smash unattended eggs, or toss the eggs out. In my first experience, a male house sparrow killed 6 newborn hatchlings by pecking them on the head. So if you decide to proceed, just be prepared. Bet's web site, www.sialis.org is a wonderful resource, and we will be here if you need us. Another option is to add hole reducers and host chickadees, if they are in your area. The proper hole reducer will prevent house sparrows from entering. You might want to read up on that at the website linked below. P.S. The little round wooden thing that many bluebird nestboxes come with (some people call them "predator guards") which extends the entrance does not protect anything from predators. BlueBars Here is a link that might be useful: http://www.sialis.org/

Yes I put it up just as soon as I gat home with it. I did notice the male bird was on top of it a couple of times, but then they would go back to the old box. I have several birdbaths in my yard. I don't have a big yard but I make sure my birds are taken care of. I hope they will accept this box cause I sure do want a family of blues this year. Everyone say a special prayer that I will have a family of dees and blues in my yard this year. Thanks so much for everyones advice. If anyone else has any more advice please let me no. Thanks again!