I have a pair of bluebirds trying to nest in our new (sparrow resistant house)--that's a joke--finally had to open up a space for the sparrows so they would leave the bluebird house along. Real problem is the young Mockingbird which we have fed throughout the winter with chopped up grapes (loves them) and he is one territorial monster! I moved his grapes further down the yard away from the bluebird house and it only took him 30 minutes to find it and gobble down everything he can get and not let one other bird in there--plan is to move it to the front of the house and stop. Actually, he should be hunting food for himself, but I guess we spoiled him. His parents certainly were a lot more tolerant of other birds--but he is a real stinker. The bluebirds like the house and are trying to nest and yet I saw the mocking bird land right in between both of them and just dare them to live there--at which time I interceded, but won't do that again. They have come back again since that episode--so I feel they will nest there--in between the thunderstorms, hail and tornado warnings. And your advice has been very helpful--last year was my first year for blues in the box, although blues do come to my yard and bathe and show me their offspring, but my first box experience ended in blowflies--cried for a long, long time--felt very guilty and will not let that ever happen again. Wish me luck as the bluebirds just make me so happy and thank you vonyon for sharing your experience with the mockers so I can let nature take its course.

Thanks for the advice :) I have read that website, most of it - it has a lot of info. I did read a paragraph that said: MYTH: Bluebirds behave the same way, all the time, everywhere. REALITY: Eastern, Mountain, and Western Bluebirds in different areas behave differently and show different preferences. Even the same birds may behave differently as they age; as seasons, climate, and conditions change; and from one year to the next. Some people who aren't following any of the "rules" still successfully fledge amazing numbers of bluebirds year after year. Avoid "never" and "always" and do whatever works in your area! This made me a little more confident in this nest box. Even though have not seen a single HOSP, I will certainly cut off the perches if need be. And I will not host the Starlings, if need be take the whole thing down. Who knows, I could be as successful as the woodworker down the road!! For cleaning, he recommended taking a hanger and yanking out the old nests, and I will pull it down and rinse it out with a bleach solution at the end of the year. If others (besides Starlings and HOSP) take up residence I will most likely buy the more recommended house to put up in another location. While this one is pretty, I would rather a lighter and easier manageable house to take care of!!! Unfortunately I can't just return this one, so hopefully it will work :) Thanks again for your advice!! Christy :)

Hi cuzzx, It's good to hear that you have had success with Blues nesting in your boxes. I set up 2 new boxes last Fall, very much the same distance and out of sight from each other. My place is about an acre. I now have 4 Bluebird nestboxes here. I have learned from others who have more than one or two nestboxes on about an acre,that the Blues would use one box and then after the babies fledged will move to another box and use that one. Also, chickadees would use one of the other boxes also. Which wouldn't upset the Blues at all. Nor would this upset me....I like chickadees. Jean NW GA

Hi all, Again a long time passes since our last post. But we'd like to share a few current photos now to let everyone see our Family Blue as of today. :) Mr.B (Father) : Missy (Mother) : Together: The five fledglings of their 1st nest (2010-1) : The six fledglings of their 2nd nest (2010-2) : They have a 11 babies so far this season (exactly as they did at this time last year). And Missy is incubating 5 blue eggs in her 3rd nest as I type this. We couldn't have hoped for a better nesting season... Please wish us and them continued success. Kenn & Temple ps to kendra - Sorry I didn't answer before now... Missy and Mr.B have been here continuously (every day) since 2007. We know them by sight, sound, and behavior just as you would know kept indoor birds. We get to know and recognize the individual fledges over the course of the season as many of them stay until Fall and a few over-Winter here with their parents. But we don't usually name them until the last few finally depart in early Spring. Here is a link that might be useful: Bluebird Gallery