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Hello all,
I have a question about bluebird behavior in my newly installed bluebird nest box just mounted yesterday, April 21. Within only a few hours of being mounted, I have observed both male and female bluebirds peeking in my box but none of either sex has entered it yet. The entrance hole is 1.5 inches and I have verified the box is still completely empty. I’m wondering if I have installed it too late in breeding season or whether there might still be some bluebirds scouting for nesting sites even at this later date in the season. Have most bluebirds already chosen a different nesting site? I am located in Massachusetts.
Thank you for your advice.
Some thoughts:
I don’t think you are too late. The bluebirds peeking inside the box, that is, paying attention to the box, is a good sign. You may also see the birds alternately perching on top of the box. And a female may have gone in the box and you missed it. Anyway, the birds know about your box. It’s probably only a matter of time. EDITED to add, aside from what you see of the birds, look inside the box periodically and see if there is any nesting material. If you don’t know, look up what a bluebird nest looks like. Also, FYI if you don’t already know about NestWatch, see this.
From what I’ve gathered, including my own experience and conversations with a neighbor who has been at this for years, it isn’t unusual to not have a nesting pair the first year of your nest box. But I still don’t think you are too late.
In my case, I didn’t have a nesting pair the first year, but I put up my box in late summer and I knew it was probably too late. And it depends on where you are located. For me (Florida) we are well into the season now. If you are in the North, you are early in the season. All depends.
Just make sure you are giving the birds what they like or need in terms of environment and then give them time.
- Ira / Coastal NW Florida
It’s early enough. Stay patient. Build their home and they will come.
Near me it’s not too late even a month from now to locate a new nest box for later arrivals (we don’t have blues all year).
Good luck.
Tim
WI/MI Border, about 100 miles north of Green Bay
Tim C. WI/MI border.
Roger, that is common behavior for the bluebirds. I have seen 2 or 3 different pairs of blues do exactly what yours are doing. When a pair is ready to start a nest, they will claim it and start building their nest. It could take a week or two or it could be just a couple of days. It is a new box in the neighborhood and they are checking it out. That is a good sign.
Good luck and keep us posted.David
Stafford, VAHello all,
I have a question about bluebird behavior in my newly installed bluebird nest box just mounted yesterday, April 21. Within only a few hours of being mounted, I have observed both male and female bluebirds peeking in my box but none of either sex has entered it yet. The entrance hole is 1.5 inches and I have verified the box is still completely empty. I’m wondering if I have installed it too late in breeding season or whether there might still be some bluebirds scouting for nesting sites even at this later date in the season. Have most bluebirds already chosen a different nesting site? I am located in Massachusetts.
Thank you for your advice.
If it helps the day I put my box up very late and they went right inside it and the nest was constructed very quickly.
stay the course!
They have no need to go into a box once the nest is constructed. They will wait until she is going to lay an egg.
And … Have you checked? They are sneaky little things and this year I didn’t even know I had a complete nest and when I finally remembered to check I had 5 eggs.
As David said, it takes them forever on the first nest of the season to get going. They’ll have 2-3 and sometimes 4 nests every season.Tammy
I barely saw mine building the nest, It was so fast.
Hi Tamsea,
Can I have access to the HOSP Control forum? There is a male house sparrow perched on the box and going inside and I have even seen him chase away a female bluebird with an insect in her mouth. There was the beginnings of a HOSP nest in the box which I have removed.
Thank you.
Roger
Hi Tamsea, just wondering if you have seen the above post by me? I would like access to the HOSP control forum. I’m not sure how to PM on this forum; I looked all over for a link or button. Thanks again.
Hey, Roger. I don’t even know if that exists anymore (HOSP control forum). We can talk about it here. The only thing we can’t talk about (per Cher’s request) is how to euthanize them. I can help you with that topic via message here or maybe by email or even texting.
The best way to capture House Sparrows is purchasing a Van Ert trap that goes into your box.
Put up extra boxes in your yard so that hopefully the House Sparrow takes one that the bluebirds haven’t started nesting in. You have each of your boxes prepared with screws in them so that no matter what box the House Sparrow takes, you’ll be ready. You let the House Sparrow pair build a nest a little and then you insert the trap.
Do you have eggs in the box yet? As soon as you have eggs you put up a Sparrow Spooker. That will help keep the House Sparrows from taking over the housing. It isn’t foolproof but it helps a lot. If you don’t know much about the Van Ert trap or the Spooker I can let you know moreTammy
Roger. Buy a Van Ert at https://vanerttraps.com/.
Tammy
Thank you Tamsea. Van Ert trap is on the way (hasn’t shipped yet). HOSP have been occupying the box the last few days. I also have a repeating trap on the way. I will keep the forum updated.
A repeating trap is awesome too!! We can all give you ideas on using both of these. Put Van Ert sized screws in all your boxes when it comes. I think it only comes with one set of screws so you might need to buy extra for other boxes.
Tammy
A female HOSP has moved in with the male and I saw the male bringing nesting material.
It may take up to a week before my Van Ert and repeating trap arrive. What should I do in the meantime? Should I evict them now or wait?
I wish I lived nearby. I’d give you one of mine to use. Just let them build…even if you had the trap right now it might be good to let them build a little. Or figure out a homemade trap. Let me think about it. Do you have a second box up in your yard?
This is a homemade trap for a purple martin gourd. Can you figure out a way to do this for a nestbox and make it work? I think you’d have to pull it taut as soon as you pull itl It seems like it would slip down if you didn’t.
Tammy
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