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Dave, a robin should not be able to build a nest in a BB box with a one and a half inch hole opening – they are too large for this. If your hole is larger you would need to put a 1 1/2 inch plate/cover over the hole. Good luck!
WHAT – David – you have no HOSP??? You sure are a lucky one!
Sky, the worm cage feeder for my bluebirds sits on top of the railing of our deck which is just outside our patio door. In other words the feeder is around 10 feet from my door, which is very convenient. And when they are feeding and other birds show up and the blues are not eating, I can just open the door a bit and they are chased off. In the spring/summer the only ones that can get in besides my blues are the HOSP, as the other smaller birds (juncos and white-crowned sparrows) are gone. I don’t believe I have ever saw a house wren try to get to the worms.Great news, Sky – I’m pretty sure that “guardian” AND the fishing line on the hole were the main problems – don’t knock yourself out – we all learn from errors!
Meredith, welcome to this forum! I have personally never had any problems with blue jays – in fact I don’t see them much at all. If the feeders are in different areas there should not be a problem IF each stay in their own territory! I know my blues will chase off anything that ventures close to their #3 box with 5 babies in it! Just never had many bluejays around – do see them in the winter around my seed feeder sometimes, along with the cardinals. Maybe others have more info for you.
Not sure about your locale, but it is getting a little late for another nest, but not impossible. In going through my records I only had 4 nestings one time in over 14 years, most ending in mid July, which is where my 3rd nest of 5 blues are now – ready to fledge in about 6 or 7 days. But this is a fairly new pair (only 2 years here) and they seem to be very determined to lay those eggs!!
Countrygirl – glad that that lonesome one left the nest – exactly what happened on my nest #2 – 4 fledged and one was left in the box for another day or two (don’t exactly remember). Can’t help you with the pictures.
Nice Dana – Seems to be a good year for numbers of blues – my five 3rd nesters are now eating worms from mama & papa.
David, sounds like your nest is pretty much on target – I do believe I have had a mama miss laying for one day and then begin again, but this is pretty uncommon. Also had one not begin incubating for one day – but this was only in hot weather – and then she would do her duty. Bet your will be okay.
We have been in Dallas for the past 3 days, so I will be checking tomorrow to see if my 5 babies in nest #3 hatched, as they were due to hatch today, Sunday July 3.
Hope everyone has a good Independence Day!Oh, Rich, SO SO sorry about this matter – I have never had to witness anything like that – like Dave, says Mother Nature is cruel some times. Tammy’s mention about a rehabber is a very good idea (if you can find one close enough). Sure surprised that the spooker didn’t keep the HOSP away. That is very scary.
Rich, love your story – yes this is a very interesting & worthwhile hobby I have learned. I believe you have hit everything directly on the head. The robins we have do not seem to mind the bluebirds.
Aren’t you the sly one!! The BB fairy wins again! That group needs to know the rule – if you put up a BB house, you need to monitor/take care of it. Yes, they can survive on their own in natural cavities, etc. but when we put the box up, we need to take care of it!
