Forum Replies Created
-
Posts
-
Craig, sounds very much like my situation (see my new post “My blues nesting in neighbor’s tree”) only my blues were here all winter and I am almost sure they are nesting in a next door neighbor’s tree cavity as they have no nest in my yard. Earlier in the season they had claimed one box I thought, as they were at it a lot. But the HOSP came along and I trapped several different males at this box. I have four different boxes, so it is not like there was not an empty box available!
Way to go, Tammy – makes you feel good to give some help & advise to someone and get them hooked, doesn’t it?
Yes, my idea about the Martin house was not correct – there are two large cavities in this tree which I discovered just a little while ago. I can see this from my property and it is definitely in the vicinity where we see the blues go – the Martin house is probably 40 feet away from this tree but still in close proximity, which is why we thought that was where they were nesting. I believe they (neighbors) do have martin residents, so that is good. This cavity in the tree in very high up so there is no way of knowing if there are eggs or babies, but I will know for sure if my blues start bringing worms over there! Little stinkers …………
Tammy, the neighbors where I believe my blues are nesting don’t have bluebird houses, only the martin complex. But we suspect that my blues are nesting in a large tree over three which has a hole in it – believe owner had cut it partially down and looks like it might have a cavity in it. I am going to try to contact them this week – they both work and I will have to wait until they are home. I am really fearful for my pair because of their cats and with no monitoring HOSP are also a definite problem. I have to just have faith and know there is really nothing I can do at this point,especially if there are eggs. I don’t believe there are any babies yet, as they are not bring the worms over there. I really feel hurt and abandoned for this pair to do this, as they have been with in for several years,including all winter. At first I was mad and thought “I will just quit feeding them”, but they realized this was not what they need and that this was childish behavior! Just have to wait and see.
Judy, good you are removing the HOSP nests, but you really need to trap & dispose of them. I know this is not a thing some people want to do, but it is absolutely necessary in order to protect our blues & native cavity builders. Just ponder over this – look at some of the pictures of HOSP killings on the sialis.org website and you may realize how dangerous they are. Good luck.
Hi, Gin – we miss you. And I absolutely agree with the skylight box thing – not a good thing.
Dibby, wow, that is some news about blues nesting in martin houses. This neighbor who has the martin house also has pine trees which I know my blues like and probably where they roost at night. They do not have any BB boxes, but it is very possible my blues have a nest in one of their apartments there. This would NOT be a good thing, as they have 2 cats which are outdoors a lot. I cannot control anything here and do nothing but hope & pray they come back home! I have 4 boxes for them to choose from and just captured another male HOSP out of the one box they have been at. I’ll know more later if they start bringing their worms over there. Thanks.
Beautiful egg, David – congrats! Well I still have no BB nest yet – I have my suspicion they maybe have built a nest at our of my neighbors, although I have been watching them and only see them go to their pine tree and they have no BB box, only Martin houses. Has anyone heard of the blues nesting in a martin house?
Thanks, Dana – yes it has been a tough start this season. I have 2 different types of boxes, one is the regular round hole opening with a top that opens. This is my oldest style and one that draws the most blues. However, the HOSP like it also. Then I have the Gilwood style which is sort of a slot opening, but not true slot, with front door opening. I like the convenience of the Gilwood due to the fact I am barely 5′ tall and can see it in well. The blues do use it, also, but seems like not as much. So, the HOSP really don’t care I think – I’ve had to fight ( with VanErt trap) those things all 11 seasons now, but I usually draw at least 2 and lots of time 3 BB nests/eggs. Nothing yet this year, although my pair are definitely around, coming for mealworms 2x a day. Hoping for the best. P.S. I believe the PVC box would be too hot for our weather, as my boxes are out in full sun and I use a heat shield even on it on the 2 & 3rd nestings.
Lisa, congrats on the fledge. I have only witnessed 1 or 2 fledges in all my 10 years x 2 or 3 nests each year. I really do have another life outside of the blues, but they sure are up there in priority.
Go ahead – rub it in Lisa! (Ha, HA) Yes, we had one nice 70 degree day and then had snow last Sunday and very cold again today. Bob – glad to hear from you – hopefully this Missouri weather will shape up soon!
I would think it could be used just like a round hole opening box, but guess it would depend on how the top is made. You MUST have a minimum of 2 1/2″, and better with 3″, clearance from face of hole to the guard so that the parents can swoop underneath the guard to feed babies. If the top does not extend enough over the box you would have to make an extension of some sort on the guard. It’s also best to have sides on the wren guard, also. The Sialis.org webside has lots of info on everything Bluebird! I have not had experience with slot boxes, so maybe others who have will comment.
Tammy, I do not use Power Point at my presentations – just use jpg format for pictures and then play them on a DVD. I then only need a TV to project the pictures on – most places I have done these have a TV available. I have given them mostly to garden groups, civic/sorority groups, etc. For Powerpoint you actually need a laptop and a projector, which I have neither. I have also done 2 presentations at our local Community Center which was then open to the public and had really good turnouts there.
