[Carol – Mid-Mo.]

Thanks – as a quite elderly mom, it is wonderful to have this great hobby since all our kids are gone and on their own – just love watching my blues, worrying about them, and scolding them sometimes, JUST LIKE WE DID WITH OUR OWN YOUNG!

[Carol – Mid-Mo.]

Good luck with the spooker, Philyblues. The http://www.sialis.org website can sure help with any questions, and the creator of that website, Bet Zimmerman Smith, is always glad to help us.

[Carol – Mid-Mo.]

Great news, Rich.

[Carol – Mid-Mo.]

Agree about the wooden pole (tree) – anything that climbs can run right up and get into the box. However, since there are eggs in it, right? , this might be a little tricky. Try to get your boxes mounted in the future on a slick pole which helps with predators climbing it. Sometimes these things which are not good can work, but if we invite birds into our yard it is our responsibility to try to keep them safe we believe. We are trying to give you good advise for the future – good luck.

P.S. Sorry, Chris, just read your other thread about this box which explains a lot of questions we had.

[Carol – Mid-Mo.]

Ditto to Connie’s reply – remove the whole nest and hopefully if the male is around she will rebuild. Sorry – again Mother Nature has her say.

[Carol – Mid-Mo.]

Looks like this might work better, Chris. Good luck with the street traffic.

[Carol – Mid-Mo.]

Chris, this looks nice, but the blue birds will not like the color – they prefer a natural wood color, like tan (if you had to paint one). Don’t believe the plastic is good neither, although I don’t know where you live. Sorry, but that is my opinion – others will probably chime in.

P.S. There may be some other bird that would like that pretty blue – never hurts to try.

[Carol – Mid-Mo.]

Judy, & Philly Blues – yes, the sparrow spooker is a necessity in my opinion, even one rogue HOSP in a yard can do their damage with no protection up. I am just thankful I have never had a HOSP attack, but that could change quite quickly without a spooker. P.S., yes, my blues like to stand watch on top of the spooker also.

[Carol – Mid-Mo.]

Yes, David, I have a plan which I got from Sialis.org – will post it on a new thread.

[Carol – Mid-Mo.]

So sorry about your mother, Dana, but glad your bluebirds are doing well. Your mom would be very proud of you for taking good care of them.

[Carol – Mid-Mo.]

Congrats, Chris – good luck on the fledging.

[Carol – Mid-Mo.]

Matt, so VERY sorrow – Never had to deal with this in my 14 seasons, as far as actual HOSP damage. First – did you have up a sparrow spooker? I am a true believer of these very inexpensive (we make our own) items. They need to be put up right after the 1st egg is laid.
For example, just about 2 weeks ago a HOSP built a nest in one of my extra boxes (about 75-100 feet apart). It took him over one week to attract a female – he just stayed on top of the box singing for a mate. When he finally got one, I watched them closely for the next several days – just let them do their thing at the box, thereby leaving my 5 baby bluebirds alone. Well, yesterday it was time to set my VanErt inbox trap and did so – he went in it but managed to escape. I took the nest out and will have to watch closely.

But this HOSP never did try to go to the box where my five, 10 day old baby blues are, and the sparrow spooker with its bright red ribbons flying in the wind.

David gave good advise about the removal of your blues. Good luck the rest of the season.

[Carol – Mid-Mo.]

Good advise from everyone – don’t give up yet – if she is still incubating in a few more days I would be more worried.

[Carol – Mid-Mo.]

Good news, Connie!

[Carol – Mid-Mo.]

Congrats, David – hope they do well. My five babies are doing well, now 5 days old – parents have been doing their “mealworm train” to them since day 2. Sure is fun to watch!

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