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It worked! I carefully took the nest out with a spatula, put it in the empty box temporarily. Set the Van Ert Trap…..had the male HOSP within 30 minutes. Put the nest back in the box and all was well. Funny thing ….as I was doing this the pair of TRES that originally started the nest came and sat on the other box to watch me. I believe it was their way of saying thank you!
Judy-Michigan
Thanks for sharing your pictures they are a joy to see. Cute that papa blue is a little more trusting of your presence. I believe they know we are trying to help them.
Judy-Michigan
Carol…..It was your lucky day catching 2 HOSP at the same time!!! We’ve trapped 5 in the bb boxes so far. Good news as of today, I have a pair of TRES building a nest in back set of paired boxes. This evening I saw 4 bluebirds looking at the other box. Also TRES and bluebirds looking at the front set of paired boxes. Maybe this will turn out to be a really good season. I have read that bluebirds have a better chance for success when boxes are paired with TRES. They can help each other keep the HOSP away. I have my fingers crossed.
Happy Birding,
Judy-MichiganDavid……how exciting. Your bluebirds start a little earlier than here in Michigan. How many broods do you normally have in a season?
Judy-Michigan
Phillyblues….it’s still early. Plus the weather has not been the greatest. I hope they show up soon.
Judy-Michigan
Hi Connie…….How exciting 5 eggs early in the season. The weather here has been awful too, so much rain people are having problems with flooding. Suns out today, maybe it will warm up and dry up!
We had the Baltimore Orioles, hummingbirds and grosbeaks all show up yesterday. I think the storm the night before blew them in. Phillyblues……here is a tip for attracting the Orioles. If you can put something large and orange in your yard near the feeder, such as plastic Adirondack chair or maybe an orange beachball. This has worked for some friends. Also grape jelly is their favorite with nectar (hummingbird feeder with out bee guards)…..orange halves is the least favorite here.
Judy-Michigan
Thanks phillyblues for the trap tip that’s a great idea. My DRST came yesterday. Went to get the white millet for bait. Hoping not to attract my other birds. I have TRES hanging out at both sets of paired boxes. My plan is to get TRES in a box and bluebirds in the other. I’ve read the success rate is better for the blues with the TRES near.
Judy-Michigan
David and Connie….Thank you for the positive notes and giving me hope for future success. I’m almost afraid to open the boxes to check, I have the vision of the cute little fella injured in my head. That’s why I’m able to move forward, his death was a hard lesson for me. I’ve ordered the DRST!!! I would love to have the bluebirds be able to nest in peace. This group has been very helpful for me…I really enjoy reading the posts. Thank you all.
Judy-Michigan
Connie, Congratulations on your first egg!!! Hopefully all the bad weather is bypassing you. They were predicting a lot of snow for us last night, but it missed us. Did you get a second egg today?
Judy-Michigan
Thanks David…….It’s encouraging to know your HOSP population is gone after 2 years of extreme measures. I did read a lot of the stickies on this site and found them very interesting. I do trap the HOSP with the Van Ert trap. They are never allowed to use my bb boxes. I was surprised with this attack….there was no nest started and no female bb yet. The box had not been claim by the HOSP first either. I did see the male bluebird chasing the HOSP away periodically. I thought that was all normal.
Good news is we caught a male HOSP today……yay!!! One less problem.
Thanks,
Judy-MichiganDana…..that’s very strange the blues stayed for winter and now you are not seeing them. I think they like to keep us guessing. I hope they show up soon.
David….I saw a female towhee yesterday, the chickadees are here all winter, but the indigo bunting I have only seen twice in my life! What a beautiful blue. The joy of bird watching.
Happy birding,
Judy-MichiganConnie, maybe this is the year you will have 2 sets of bluebirds!!! I have not seen any blues yet, last year the 1st one showed up May 5th. I keep watching, but our weather is still cold with spitting snow and sleet. Nice days are few and far between. Winter is not wanting to give up. I’m excited for you……good luck!
Judy-Michigan
So…….looks like 3 of the six eggs hatched. They all seem pretty active and doing well. I’m surprised at how big the bugs are that she is feeding them. I thought the mama always chewed them up before feeding……guess not.
Judy-Michigan
