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I’s a little late on this post, but yeah for you, Judy. I was unaware like you were when I started about 11 years ago, but soon learned about them. Actually I have never had the experience you just had but have quite a few HOSP around and do trap them. Actually about a week ago I trapped both the male and female in the same box at the same time – oh, was I joyful! Apparently the VanErt trap did not trip quickly and one followed the other in and it went off. This is about the 3rd time this has happened – catching two at the same time. I also use the sparrow spooker and wren guard faithfully – I have had more problems with wrens tossing & piercing the eggs out. Even with trapping I still have quite a few HOSP, but this year doesn’t seem quite as bad. After I got rid of that one pair I have not had many, if any, HOSP show up. Of course, I had trapped about 3 or 4 prior to the pair at once.
Thanks, David – supposed to have sun today and part of tomorrow so this should bring it out if it is every going to.
Connie, congrats on your 5 eggs – I believe my nest has 5 new babies but been raining so I will check the nest later on today. Yes, I have had those Orchard Orioles at my hummingbird feeder, also, as well at the Baltimore Orioles. Right now I have 1 or 2 hummers at my feeder and will be putting another feeder up very soon.
BZ – I am also from Central Mo – and know we have had some cool nights, although the daytime temps have been pretty good. I was worried about the cool temps on the eggs, but was reassured here they should be okay as long as mama is incubating them & not below freezing. Gin is right on about not being too quick to assume mama has abandoned her eggs. I had forgotten to but up my spooker and wren guard until my eggs were about 5 days old and was worried about her accepting them. I did put them on one day apart to get her used to one first. She was a little reluctant at first about the wren guard, flying around and around it. But then papa went in and she finally did go in, which was a relief. I have used the dot on the eggs several times (put a dot on the top of each egg) and it does work. If the dot changes direction then you know they are being turned by the parents and therefore probably viable. Good luck!
Good to hear from you all about a sparse nest – had 3 eggs as of yesterday and I have been watching mama this morning and I believe she is laying another egg today.
David, most true (as I mention in my BB presentations) that the bluebirds do not seem to read the rule book!
Well, to my surprise when I checked the blues box today I found two blue eggs – I guess I hadn’t checked it on Sunday and was gone most all day today – found them around 4 pm tonight. They must have finished the nest pretty quick – and it looks like this was a fact, as the nest was not all that full of nest material but did have a nice cup. I did set the hosp trap around this same time hoping to catch one of them later today, just before evening. P.S. No, you don’t want those HOSP to show up at your place – they are a great pest and great threat.
Great news, Gin! My pair have started a nest for no eggs for now, which is a good thing. We had a couple of very nice days but then a cold spell, but this week is supposed to be nice again. White eggs would be really exciting, since they are fairly rare.
Congrats, Lisa, on your first hatch of the season. My blues are here and have pretty much claimed their box but no nesting materials as of yet. We actually had two freezes this past weekend and first of this week but warmed up to about 70 degrees today. I have a HOSP nest in one of my 4 boxes and will be setting the trap tomorrow – have already disposed of two HOSP.
Connie, I have not had this problem with my blues, but have had a cardinal and maybe one or two other birds hit my patio door window, so I truly believe that she is seeing her reflection and making her strike at “that thing”. I know Tammy here on the forum had this problem I believe, so maybe she will chime in here and others. Good luck.
Welcome Chris – sure glad you found this forum. I am just a participant member of about 11 years now but just like you, I learned about HOSP quite soon. I, too, try to educate people about the dangers but have learned that you just have to accept the fact that some people will not understand. However, I have done around 25 or 30 Bluebird presentations to different groups and clubs and a few open to the public, and I can honestly say that I did get the attention of quite a few people about the HOSP dangers and particularly I can name about 5 or 6 locals that now practice HOSP control & probably more I’m not aware of. I have been quite fortunate myself and have only lost blues from house wrens (native birds of course) and just have to fight off/capture the HOSP.
Looking forward to the new season – my blues have been here all winter (they love my peanut butter suet and now have live meal worms for them). Don’t forget when you want to post from now on to start a new thread directly and not on this introduction page.Wow, Lisa – nest already – I forgot where you live – must be a southern/warm state. I never have any eggs until April & last year it was May (only because they had built in a neighbor’s tree cavity the first nest). Yes, winds/storms are definitely here & most of Mid-west (& other places).
Wow, David – would be early if they actually built a nest, wouldn’t it? I know they are out there scouting but sure hope there is no actual nest building here for at least 5 or 6 weeks – we are still having snow, ice and LOTS of rain here in mid-Missouri. I’ve seen my pair & one extra male from last clutch about two times a day all winter – they love my peanut butter suet. But everyone is sure ready for spring – we’d had one of the worst winters in lots of years here. I believe the count is 7 snows already and possibly more on the way.
COOL TAMMY – great to be able to share this experience with a family member. My hubby “rolls his eyes” still some, but he will watch for my blues and has been helping me feed the suet during this cold, cold, icy few days, since the deck wood floor & railings where my cage feeders are located is very slick now. (see attached photo)
