New to bluebirds HELP
9 years ago
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9 years ago- 9 years ago
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New Bluebird houses, need advice please
Comments (10)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/...See MoreBought a new bluebird box and hole reducer.
Comments (9)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!...See MoreNew to Bluebirds
Comments (8)Yes, Lornas, even though you trap the raccoons, other animals are also of concern including snakes. It would be a good idea to move the box now and it can be done if you're careful. All of my nestboxes are mounted on 3/4" electrical conduit with stovepipe baffles to protect from climbing predators. The pole should be located at least 10' away from fences, trees, etc., to prevent animals from jumping to the nestbox. I would remove the nest, carefully, from the nestbox and place it in a shoebox. Cover it with a lid and set it aside until the move is complete. Then remove the nestbox from the fence and mount it to the newly located pole (I have Home Depot or Lowe's cut the conduit at a 7' length and then I pound at least 12" of the pole into the ground). Once the nestbox is mounted, carefully replace the nest and then watch the box from a distance to be certain the parents accept the change. Many of us have learned the hard way that mounting nestboxes to fences and trees may work for a time but eventually the predators catch on. Once a box has been raided, the predator knows where to find an easy meal. It's bad enough to lose eggs or hatchlings to a predator, but a box mounted on fences and trees also puts the breeding pair of birds at risk. Take care and let us know if we can be of further help. Kathy...See MoreNew to bluebirding...and stressed.
Comments (9)Mac, Hi, my name is Linda and I'm a bird addict (esp. bluebirds, I'll admit). LOL I started with bluebird boxes in 2004 and have gone through all the stages that you describe except the BB gun (knock on wood, I don't have problems with HOSP but don't even breathe the words 'house wren' to me...long story). You will find that you will wake early and the first thought on your mind is 'how are the birds'? And you will go to bed with the words 'hope the birds will be ok.' As far as info, besides the link to sialis.org, this board is the best place I can think to come to ask questions, the place you come when things have gone bad and you just want to cry to someone, the place where you won't be judged because you have mealies in your fridge. As Lisa so aptly put it: you have just begun. It's a long story but I was recently seen throwing a kitchen implement at a bird who was causing problems. In a past year when it was extremely hot, I put not only 1 reflective umbrella over the bluebird box but I dragged my patio umbrella from the back yard to front, along with the heavy base, and put it over the umbrella and the box. We are certifiable. But we have each other :) Hang in, enjoy what you can, accept that there will be times when things won't go the way you want them to. bluebird blessings, Linda......See More- 9 years ago
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