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Those poles are not round and will still allow a climbing predator access to the nest box. Unless you are using a baffle or some other kind of deterrent the box is still at risk.
David
Stafford, VASnow earlier this week now in the low 40s. Maybe in to 50s next week. Should be about time for the birds to get serious about building nests. The robins in the area are starting to battle over nesting locations.
David
Stafford, VAKnow where you are. We lived in Windham for 5 years in the 70s. Had a vacation place up in Sanbornville while I was in the Air Force. Our daughter-in-law lives in Northwood. Do you still have snow?
David
Stafford, VAHousing activity here also (see other post for photo). Female spent time in the box but no nest material yet.
David
Stafford, VAThey must be getting an early start this year. We usually have snow this weekend – but here is a photo of the male on the box this morning. It was a quick shot and it is a bit blurry but it was also cold this morning and the bird looks puffed out to stay warm.
David
Stafford, VAHi Ellen.
I use a stovepipe baffle as Dana mentioned above. it is a 2 ft section of stovepipe wuth a cap and mounted 4 ft up the pole on 2 screws that are drilled into the pole. The baffle does wobble when touched by anything more than a light breeze. I stuffed hardware cloth and chicken wire up at the top of the baffle where the hole goes through the cap to keep anything from trying to crawl through, and I do lube the pole with grease.Good luck with your new blues
David
David
Stafford, VAComment on the bottom opening box.. I converted mine to a top opening box so that I could look in and see if everything was okay. I just removed the pivot screws from the top and drilled pilot holes for the bottom. Moved the “lock” to the top and now I can vies the nest, eggs, hatchlings and take photos. Less than 30 minutes. The birds don’t seem to mind one bit, and it is easier to clean after the young have fledged.
David
Stafford, VAThis shows the predator guard that Dana has mentioned. I have used both the 3/4″ and a 1″ guard with the i 1/2 inch opening and have not had any trouble with the starlings and grackles. I am also a pretty good marksman with a pellet rifle.
David
Stafford, VAVery late spring-like here today. 69 degrees right now. There has been a lot of flying to the nest box also but it is too soon to be building. I won’t be long though.
David
Stafford, VAThanks Dana. Where in Lancaster are you. Our ancestors settled in the Mount Joy – Marietta area in the mid 1700s. There are still a lot of Engle’s in the area. We had a big 205th reunion with over 600 people attending back in 2004.
David
Stafford, VA
