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

It is fun to watch the activity of wrens. They always make me laugh when they try to drag forked, or very long branches, through the hole. Although they frequently make it work somehow, even if the end sticks out of the hole afterwards! The individuals in my garden don't like those larger bluebird boxes, favoring smaller cavities. And I believe some house wrens successfully chased the Bewick's from their active nest in our hollowed out birch branch box, much to my disappointment. Thanks for sharing your wren video. Not many cheerier voices than a wren singing.

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?