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You should try moving the new nestbox out of sight of your other nest. Most recommend at least 300 feet between nests but I had a nest in my front yard flower garden (~150 feet away) but view-blocked by the house. I had 2 EABL families that year.
David
Stafford, VAThanks Connie.
I have not seen the HOSP since the incident. A couple of wrens have been in the yard, some titmice, robins, a few stray starlings and some cardinals. I do have 3 types of woodpeckers in the trees but none nesting.David
Stafford, VAIt looks pretty much complete now. I still think that it is a little chilly for the first eggs but we will see.
David
Stafford, VAUnderstand the anxiety. With the blues finding the feeder, they should return when the NH fledge. Do you have room for another nestbox away from this house?
David
Stafford, VABrought my camera out to the dining room where I can get photos quicker. Here is Papa bird surveying the woods possibly looking for Mama bird.
David
Stafford, VABusy morning. the female was into and out of the box all morning with loads of building material. When I went to get my camera to get a shot of her with a beak full of grass she disappeared. She must be camera shy. I did go out to see what progress had been made. The nest looks almost complete. I think that she is filling in the bottom of the nest.
David
Stafford, VADon’t feel terrible. The nuthatches will leave as soon as their young have fledged and then you can prepare for your blues again. They will find you.
David
Stafford, VAJust an update – no activity for a couple of days with the rain and cold weather. I did see the female knock a sparrow (that I just said were not in my neighborhood) off the nest box! Sorry no camera – that would have been a great photo. Have to go get a new air rifle. Spring broke in the old one.
David
Stafford, VADana, it is hard to deal with sparrows in a “humane” way when they are such a threat to our bluebirds. Like some others here I have an air rifle. I have not had to use it for a few years though. 4 or 5 years ago it got daily use. Maybe I cleared my population or they went somewhere else ( I hope not up your way!). The other thing I did that may have impacted the presence of sparrows is that I took down all of my bird feeders and only left the humming birds nectar feeder.
David
Stafford, VASecond look. She is building, even using slightly damp grass.
Connie, she might be dropping it and going to gather another batch before shaping it. You can still see the bottom of the box in this photo. She will probably fill that before she starts to lay the eggs. Who Knows? I am not sure how they build.
David
Stafford, VARaining and cold today. I haven’t seen them this morning. They are probably across the street in the woods staying dry.
David
Stafford, VAWet and cold weather does have an impact on “home-building” of all types. They will return in as it dries out. Good luck this season.
David
Stafford, VAI am disappointed at that whole display. I would get a nestbox from Lowe’s before I would use one of those things.
Connie, I put my nestbox back up a few weeks ago after I saw 3 blues sitting on and near my empty pole. It has been cool here but now is beginning to get cold at night. I do see the bluebirds on and off the box but have yet to see them enter at night or leave in the morning. I do see droppings in the box though and have cleaned them out on the weekends. Someone is using it.
Have a good winter everyone.
David
Stafford, VA
