Heat wave coming – anyone put on shield yet?

[Carol – Mid-Mo.]

Here in mid-Missouri we are expected to have highs in the low 90’s in the next few days. I do not have my shield on yet, but believe I will need it, with 5 eggs due to hatch on Saturday. Any ideas from anyone?

[David in Stafford,VA]

Carol I just put up a shield on the top of the box. It is a simple 12 x 14″” rectangle of 3/8″ plywood raised up with two 3/4″ strips of the same plywood. It overhangs the sides by about 2″ and the front by about 3″. It could almost serve as a wren guard also. I am going to wait until after the eggs hatch to put some insulation on the west side of the box. The east side is pretty well shaded by large maple trees for most of the morning. I will try to get a photo up tomorrow.

We are experiencing the same heat as you are high 80’s – low to mid 90’s for the next few days. This should also offer a bit of protection for the summer southwesterly rain storms that we will get later in the week.

David
Stafford, VA

[Carol – Mid-Mo.]

Thanks David – same plan I have been using for years – I save my Styrofoam shields from year to year – saved many blues from the heat I believe. You know, I had the same idea as you that they might be able to serve as a wren guard, also, as the wrens like to sit on the top to lean head down to get in hole and the shield with its overhangs might just stop them. I did not put the wren guard up because I believe this mama is new and I was truly afraid she would not accept it, plus I had only heard a wren a few weeks ago – it tried to make a nest but finally gave up. Guess this will be our project tomorrow.

[Carol – Mid-Mo.]

Well, DH and I put on the heat shield this morning – I had made another extra large Styrofoam top and Mama went right in it – you could have heard me all the way to Virginia I was so thrilled and happy. This larger top probably has 3 or 3 1/2 inches overhang on the front and 2 inches overhang on the sides. I also use a shield on the back (west) and south side, as my boxes have no shade at all. – all of course with spacers between box and shield. Today the high is just in the middle 80’s but the next 4 or 5 days it is 90 degrees and over predicted. I’m sure relieved to have the shield on, and like you said, I believe it could act as a wren guard also. I’m a Happy Gal

[David in Stafford,VA]

Way to go Carol. I did save my foam shields from last year but I am going to use a thicker piece of foam this year. I have it cur and read to go after the eggs hatch.

David
Stafford, VA

[blue diamonds]

I save my heat shields too. I have white styrofoam with 1/2 inch spacers. Luckily it is not supposed to get that hot here. I wish y’all the best.

Judy – Michigan

[Chris]

I havent put up a shield. The box the birds are in now is shaded by a large pignut hickory tree when the sun is strongest, in late afternoon.

The rain is keeping the heat down for now, I’ve got maybe 10 days or so til they fledge.

Chris

[Carol – Mid-Mo.]

Hope they make it okay, Chris – should be okay with a shade tree unless you are in the south where it is blistering hot.

[Dana]

Like Chris I don’t have a heat shield yet. My nestbox is in the shade during the hottest part of the afternoons/days. Here in Pa., it gets hot but not super blistering hot like in the Southern States.

[Author]

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