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Deb and Dana, the weather has not been good to the birds this year. Have you driven around your neighborhoods and towns to see if there is activity elsewhere. I haven’t seen as many birds around my part of North Stafford but several new housing developments have gone up in areas south of me that used to be covered with timber. I blame some of the decrease bird activity on these housing areas. My daughter lives in one of these areas about 8 miles away and I see many EABL, TRES, Goldfinches, cardinal and other birds like I used to have there. I have not seen any nestboxes though. I don’t know if they have HOA restrictions that prevent their use.
I hope that you will see more activity as we get further into the late spring and early summer. You might be able to salvage a couple of nestings.
Good luck
David
Stafford, VAThanks Carol. I don’t have that much space but can locate it around 50 to 60 feet away. I do have a shepherds hook plant hanger that I set up as a perch for them about 30 feet from the box. Both of them sit there as they alternate feeding chores now. I was thinking about putting the feeder behind the hook and away from my deck where it is between their “watching” location and hook. I wikk see how it goes.
David
Stafford, VAGood news from both of you, Carol and Judy.
– Judy – it is good to see that your active “mitigation” of HOSP activity is paying off for you. I know that it is a bit more work than just caring for the bluebirds and tree swallows, but it is worth it to see them thrive without bother from the HOSP.
– Carol, it was worth this visit to the forum to see your note about the 2fer trapping. That is the first time that I have heard of anyone getting 2 in a single box. Congratulations.David
Stafford, VACongratulations on the hatch. I would leave the egg as you have suggested. If it has not hatched by the 3rd day after expected hatch it is probably not viable. You might even find that the female will have removed it.
David
Stafford, VAThanks Connie. I can’t help myself. I take the same pictures every year. The new birds all look the same. I might just start recycling the old pics. Naah that wouldn’t be right. It’s fun to see the new ones grow just like their earlier broods.
David
Stafford, VAThanks Judy.
In most years I have had 3 nestings. 2 years ago i took down the box due to HOSP and HOWR after the first brood. Last year I had 2 nestings – late season start. I am hoping that this early nesting will lead to 3 again. It is nice when the combined group here can produce 100 to 150 young per year to help our BB population to grow and thrive.
I hope that yours start to build soon.David
Stafford, VAConnie, Carol and all.
Congratulations on the new eggs. The weather seems to be settling down a bit to let the rest of nature begin again. I just looked in my nestbox a few minutes ago and found 1 of the 4 eggs had hatched. Mama bird is still sitting on the other 3. i might check later today to see if the others have hatched. i was actually expecting the hatch to be tomorrow. Again,nobody follows the rule book!David
Stafford, VAJudy, I fully agree with Connie. Since this is just your second year you are gaining first hand knowledge of the joys as well as the tribulations of trying to preserve and expand our bluebird populations where ever we are. Like almost every venture, sport, life in general, there are going to be ups and downs. This is definitely a downer, but you have jumped right back in and taken an aggressive step in reducing the problem population of the HOSP. I am glad that you did not give up on this box this early in your second season.
We do hope that another pair will claim this nestbox and reward your efforts with a good nesting.
David
Stafford, VAConnie, she should be okay with the temps. She will probably sit all night and into the morning hours if no one bothers her. The male might even bring her breakfast.
David
Stafford, VAHoorah for Lisa. At this rate she could get in 4 and possibly 5 broods if they are up to it. (Dreaming of course). keep ’em coming!!!
David
Stafford, VAIf you have HOSP around, the best thing that you can do is trap them and get rid of them. There are several suggestions in the “stickies” on this site to assist in this matter. It takes time and some effort on your part, but is is worth it to see the BB not have to worry about the hostile sparrows. I used some “extreme” measures for a few years but now have a clear yard. Haven’t see HOSP unless I go to a gas station or Home Depot.
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David
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