It depends on what type/size your birdhouse is if it would be suitable for other birds. Some of the wren houses are awfully small for a Tree Swallow or Bluebird to nest in. Bluebirds need a 1.5 inch hole, swallows prefer that too but can get in a smaller hole. Chickadees also prefer the 1.5 inch hole but can get in a 1 1/8 inch hole. A housewren will enter any size hole, not much deters them except keeping the nestboxes far away from brush and trees. House Sparrows can enter a 1 1/4 or larger hole, you would want to keep them from nesting in your birdhouse. A properly mounted nestbox is mounted on a slick metal pole with a predator baffle and at least 15-30 feet away from trees/fences/brush with no branches hanging over the box. Squirrels and or raccoons can and will get into nestboxes placed in/on trees or mounted on wooden posts. A metal plate on the front is to prevent woodpeckers from enlarging the hole. If the nestbox is mounted properly squirrels shouldn't be able to get to it to chew the opening. Here is a link to "lots" of info about cavity nesting birds..it is a bluebird site but has load of info about all cavity nesting birds and how to attract them and properly put up nestboxes for them.... Donna Here is a link that might be useful: Cavity nesting bird info.....sialis...

Well I am a little confused as to what more help you need. Since you already know she has eggs you can add a 1 1/8 reducer as having eggs means it is an active nest. Since you have a inbox camera you shouldn't need to open the box anymore but why does it only work from 6PM to morning, why wouldn't you be able to see with the camera when she isn't there? What other advice are you looking for? If you have House wrens you could add a wren guard as they can get into a 1 1/8 hole. Sialis.org has info on the wren guards I used one last year on the house the chickadees chose as we do have House wrens. I monitored our chickadee nest about every other day to every third day until the babies were old enough to fledge early then I just waited and watched from outside. Would love to have a inbox camera so I wouldn't need to open nestboxes to check on them. Donna

Awwww..so sorry to hear of this. That storm came through my yard too, and took one of my Bradford Pears down. It landed across my driveway, and luckily did not hit the house or our basketball goal. Gosh, it came through really fast. If you are not seeing them back at the house at all, then they have abandoned the nest. You don't need to wait the 2 weeks to remove the nest. Give it a few days, and when you are sure that they have abandoned, go ahead and remove the nest. Maybe they will build there again. There is still plenty of time.~~Angie

Well Charlie, you first have to consider which bird species might actually use a box in that location. I am thinking Chickadees or Wrens are most likely. So, a nice sturdy box that is intended for Wrens would be good. The entrance hole on Wren boxes would work for Chickadees or Wrens. You don't need perches on the box. Most species of cavity nesting birds will not nest too close to more of the same species. So, I would start with one or two Wren boxes. I would watch them closely and make sure that the House Sparrows don't take them. Some here would tell you not to mount any birdhouse on a trellis for fear of easy access by snakes. My feeling is that cavity nesting birds were successfully using tree cavities well before man began to offer custom built housing for them. So, I would say go for it. Just don't let the House Sparrows have the boxes. Angie