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Thought I would update this set as I am getting ready to take a trip to Michigan for a Lighthouse cruise. Then we will drive down the west Michigan coast for more lighthouses and end up in Nashville, TN for a Handbell Directors Seminar at the Gaylord facility there. Round trip of around 2400 miles and 8 days. This batch will fledge around the 29th, 4 days into our trip.😊
David
Stafford, VACarol – That was my experience also. I have used the guard except for this year when we had our cool spring and late nest building (and the wren protector coming apart in the rain). I did put a longer weather shield over the roof of the box. It extends out over the front to just above the entry hole. It took the bluebirds a couple of tries to figure it out.
David
Stafford, VAStebet, I have seen the same thing here in Virginia during the summer heat. They usually stay in the cooler foliage of the nearby woods and come back to the feeder when the temperatures drop. I have had mine disappear for 2 weeks and then suddenly they are on the wires across the street or back at the mealworms. Patience in the heat of summer always works for me.
David
Stafford, VAWren guards do work but I have not used one this year as my “temporary” guard came apart after 3 seasons and I did not build another one because of the late start of my season. If they do go for a 3rd nest, I will put a new one up after the first egg. I do have wrens in the woods and shrubs.
David
Stafford, VACarol – I keep up on my “target” practice. I have not had HOSP that I know of for the past 2 years. They used to come to the deck where the feeders are, but have not seen them for quite a while. I don’t even see them in our neighborhood.
Julie – I use a “squirrel deterrent,” 6 perch feeder from Lowes. I use a combination of the Wild Birds Unlimited shelled sunflower and safflower seed with dried fruit and I mix in the premium Pennington seed (no milo, etc.) with fruit and nuts from Walmart. I have not been able to see what seeds or nuts the pick out of the feeder. They seem to spend as much time at the seed feeder as they do at the mealworm feeder.
Sky – are the Blue Jays staying away from the bluebirds?
David
Stafford, VAAny thing away from the box will help. Even though I have a large lot I do not have trees or shrubs on most of it. My bluebird box is about 75 feet away from the deck where my seed feeders are located, all in the clear. The blues seem to like the seed feeders as much as their mealworm feeder, but the other birds seem to leave them and their mealworms alone. There are trees and shrubs in back of and to the right side of the nestbox. The birds hang out there. Luckily I have not had House Sparrows around for several years.
David
Stafford, VAGood news, Sky. Can you locate your seed feeder out so sight of the bluebird nestbox – like in a side or front yard away from the blues?
David
Stafford, VASky, my experience has been much the same as Carol and the others – except for this year. While we usually have the 3rd nest fledged by late July, mine will complete their 2nd nest by the end of the month. That should be the end of this years cycle, But with the very late start the they had this year- I wouldn’t be surprised to see another attempt from this pair. You just can’t predict what nature might have in mind. With Carol’s 3rd fledging soon, she could see a 4th this season if it doesn’t cool down.
David
Stafford, VAI agree with Carol. The blues generally chase predators such as HOSP and Blue Jays from there territory. I have not had any of the Blue Jays attack my nestboxes. But I have a friend at church that said that she did and it killed 3 of the 5 birds as they fledged one year, and she hasn’t put the box up since that event. I would watch as it gets closer to fledging time.
David
Stafford, VAGood to see you back Countrygirl. You need to use a 3rd party site to post the photos. I use imjur.com. very easy to setup an account and it is free!!! Upload the photo(s) to ingur, copy the “BBCode” on the right side of the page, and paste it here. looking forward to seeing your pics.
David
Stafford, VA
