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Thanks, that’s encouraging!
I’m hopeful, i’ve noticed the male this year fearlessly driving off larger birds like starlings.
Chris
to keep them from escaping, i through a clear plastic recycling bag over the whole box and cinch it up. i found out at the bluebird conference other people use laundry bags. When you open the box the bird flies out but is caught inside the bag.
i wear gloves when i euthanize sparrows, here is a link with options:euthanizing sparrows
Chris
I have a ton of the van ert traps. To keep track of them, i attached a little hook to either the side or back of the house, and just hang the trap there upside down by its lever. If i see sparrow activity, there’s my trap ready to install, got the two screws in every bird house also. The orange dots wear off, i just put a garage sale sticker to refurbish them, and the traps dont seem to have a problem with rusting staying outdoors.
Chris
i haven’t seen bluebirds for several weeks now. In previous years i did have a mated pair starting a nest by this date. I’m putting out mealworms but only getting downies, chickadees, robins, starlings, etc. Ive trapped several sparrows in the houses.
We’ve got some sunny 70 degree weather moving in this week, maybe that will bring a pair.
Chris
SW OhioThanks Julie.
I tried replying two weeks ago but the forum was acting up. Since then i did happen to see a young bluebird eating elderberries out back. Where i live my elderberries ripen a bit later than yours. I grow several varieties of elderberry, including scarlet or red elderberry. These have bright red berries that ripen in june instead of august like the american elderberries. The catbirds here love them.
Chris
i noticed similar with my birds, the mom was off the nest for a long time in hot weather. We had about three weeks of hot 90 degree weather, now we are getting relief with rain.
Chris
Bluebirds fledged today! I was at work when it happened, but no reason to think it wasnt successful.
Cleaned out the nest, funny, i found one live mealworm that somehow didnt get eaten. Now i can finally cut the grass closer to the box, lol.
Chris
Thanks. I think they may fledge tomorrow, it’s been over two weeks since hatching, the babies kept poking their heads out, mom and dad hanging outside.
Thanks all.
Since the babies hatched, I’ve went back to feeding live mealworms again, they seem to expect them mornings and evenings. We have a couple of cool nights coming up but i think they will be fine.
Chris
Wearing gloves, i quickly twist their necks. Here is a link on Sialis:
