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I can only echo what has been said above. The best place for a nestbox is in the open yard/field with no close shrubs or trees. Ideally, you should have 15-20 feet of space from overhanging branches or tall fencing, posts, shrubs, etc. to prevent dropping squirrels,snakes, and other critters from getting to your nestbox. Squirrels can and do jump quite a distance. Those overhanging branches and shrubs are also habitat for wrens, sparrows, and other threats to the Blues.
Here is a shot of my box. I have about an acre + and the width is about 165′ The box is located about 75′ from a big maple on the left and about 35′ from the trees behind. There is another big maple and a Persimmon tree 85′ to the right. I keep the branches pruned to keep them being used as launch areas. If you have the space, try to keep the box in an open spot.
David
Stafford, VAI agree with both Lisa and Carol. Remove both the nest and the eggs. I did have a situation similar to this a few years ago where the pair had 4 eggs in the nest and then the female did not return. I believe the male found a new mate about 4 days later and she started to build a nest on top of the old nest and eggs. I removed the old nest and eggs and they continued to build and did fledge a nest of 4 little blues.
David
Stafford, VACongratulations on the new blues. Keep us posted on their growth
Mine should arrive on Thursday or Friday (26-27)David
Stafford, VANormal time for incubation is 14 days from the date of the last egg. You are looking at a hatch around May 1. Could be Apr 30 but the May date is pretty good. Good luck.
David
Stafford, VAThat is an ingenious idea Dana. I haven’t had HOSP problems but have a few wrens that make life interesting I am going to look for a “snake” to have just in case I need it.
David
David
Stafford, VAThanks everyone. I will try the guard on Monday. We have grandkids coming over for an egg hunt and picnic in the yard for Easter and that should keep the wrens away from the nestbox for most of the afternoon. We will see what happens.
Glad to hear about your broods Lisa and Carol. Gin, do you have any nest with eggs yet We have at least 15 new BBs on the way. :)
David
David
Stafford, VAAnd now we have 5 eggs – a full house. By my calculation the eggs should hatch on April 26, with fledging around May 12.
David
Stafford, VADana
If there is a male looking at the box there are probably other female birds lurking as well. the males seem to explore first before the female shows up. If this is a new male, he is trying to establish a territory. Good luk for the new season.
David
David
Stafford, VAThey could be waiting as our weather has been fickle for the past few weeks. I saw the beginning circle of grass 2 weeks before they built this nest, It seemed to go up in 2 days. On the other hand, they may have relocated. It is still early and they could still be lurking nearby.
David
David
Stafford, VAWelcome to the Group Mel. There are good people here with a boatload of knowledge about the Bluebirds.
I have never experienced “aggressive” blues as you describe them. I know that they will defend their own nest but have not seen them try to take over another box. The smaller hole guard is a good idea.
I do think that the 18′ separation might be too close for their comfort as blues are territorial. It is probably too late now to move the box but I would think about moving it following the fledging of the young.
Good luck. Keep us posted on the outcome.
David
David
Stafford, VA
