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Hope they make it okay, Chris – should be okay with a shade tree unless you are in the south where it is blistering hot.
Wow, Judy – you are a busy gal for sure – I wish a could get a tree swallow nest again – had one for two seasons and they had a disaster (all 5 died in nest) and I have not seen any since. I believe they died from mites, as the box was just crawling with them when I cleaned it out. I didn’t realize they were so susceptible to them. Wish you good luck with all your boxes!
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
Keep taking out those sticks, Philyblues, they should give up eventually. I have never heard of HOSP or any other bird laying eggs on the bare floor – interesting.
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.
Almost always if you trap a female, the male will return and start the “courting” process to attract another female. I will remove the trap after removing/disposing the female but leave the nesting material in. According to sialis.org (and also my own experience) the male usually returns in a day or so to claim his box and sings for another female. When that happens and I am sure and will then set the trap in hopes of catching him. I have eliminated several males this season, just by watching, learning, and watching more. Yes, until you see a HOSP around and “claiming” a nest do you need to worry about installing the trap and only after he has a small amount of nesting material. I have also learned that if you wait too long and the nest is too high, the trap may not trip so I usually have to take out some material if it is too tall.
Thanks loads, David – I have copied your plan and given it to DH to review. I’m trying to stress to him how important it is for mama not to be off the nest for too long (maybe 15 minutes when it is warm) when she is incubating eggs. He gets somewhat perturbed but does try – the box they are in right now is way back in our yard, about 250 feet from our home, so I’m not too particular if the grass has to wait back there, as we are basically the only one to see it.
Great news, Philly Blues – nothing better than to see a nest of bluebirds that you have catered to, fed, worried about and helped in any way possible, become empty knowing they have fledged into this big world. If you have been feeding parents you should see them bring the young ones back in about 8 or 10 days, after they have had them out learning how to hunt and to fly better. My 2nd nesters should be hatching in about a week – will have to contend with the heat this coming week and maybe put on my heat shield.
Congrats, David – my 2nd nest has 4 eggs and mama has been incubating almost a week. The last two days have been warm and today is expected to be around 84 degrees. I am debating if I need to put up my heat shield yet – will probably wait until it gets closer to 90 degrees. Good luck with your new nest.
Does anyone else have problems during the summer with lawn mowers, tillers, and other summer equipment bothering the incubating mama? Dear hubby and I have some problems in this regard – he wants to just mow and till at any time and I am concerned about mama being off the nest too long.
Rich, hope you are recuperating okay – Yes, I have good luck having more than one box to keep an unwanted nester busy so they leave the BB alone. Unfortunately, not all people have the room or or just unable to have more than one box.
Carol, the parents will usually take the babies away from their nesting area for around 10 days to teach them to fly better and to how to hunt for food. Usually, but not always, they will then return to the nesting area with the babies, especially if you are feeding them worms or something. Hope you get to see them and have another nesting.
Cari, I believe aluminum foil will just conduct the heat and make it hotter, but I’m not sure. Even plain cardboard will work, AS LONG AS you put spacers of at least 1/2 inch between the house and the barrier – it must have a way for air to flow between the two pieces – otherwise it just makes it hotter. I’m a firm believer in at least 1/2 inch Styrofoam, which is cheap and reusable. Again, you need to have dead air space between the two items. Check out Sialis.com for complete information. When the temps get close to 90 degrees is when I begin to worry about the heat, especially because my houses do not have any shade at all.
Sorry about that, Carol – if you could put up more than one nestbox it really helps – you can let the HOSP or wren keep busy in an extra box while the blues build and nest. I realize that is not always possible but it one secret that works well. Like you are doing just keep taking out their sticks to discourage them. Once they have a full nest with cup it is not proper to remove them any more.
Good job – I love to watch my blues perch on top of the spooker – just like he is saying “you better not try to come here”! P.S. Are your ribbons shiny – those shiny and bright red work the best.
Philly Blues – I had to change out a wet, moldy, nasty nest one year and the parents were not taking out the fecal sacs, either. It is a very intimidating procedure, but using common sense, information the the Sialis.org website and lots of prayers, I did get the job done, with lots of help from dear hubby. But only a week from fledging is a frightening thought to handle the babies and change out a nest, and you must have a saved old, unused nest to replace it.
Tammy, any help/ideas here?
P.S. Here in Mid-Missouri we are having the same weather – just down right cold and nasty wet!!!
