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I don’t have one, never will and from what I hear those things don’t work. Actually, I think a slot makes it easier for them to carry in all the trash they use to make a nest.
Gin
Atlanta, GABirds who nest in cavities do so for a good reason. Their chicks need the darkness for their undeveloped eyes. “Skylights” do not belong in the roof of a box.
Gin
Atlanta, GALet me know if a bird accepts that guard. Many won’t go near something like that.
Better to have a raccoon baffle on the pole and move the box farther from the fence.
Gin
Atlanta, GANicole, I misread you. It happens more often than I like.
Sometimes birds do sit tight when you open a box even if you knock on it and approach making a little noise. Brave birds!
Gin
Atlanta, GAI don’t know what your overhang looks like but something like that shouldn’t have stopped them. It could still happen that another pair will find your box.
Gin
Atlanta, GAThat’s a good neighbor right there!
You think he knows you won’t harm him? He doesn’t know that! He is right to be wary of you and not because you would hurt him. Wild animals are like that.
Believe me when I say I know how lucky I am not to have HOSP. They are only a couple of miles away so I know they could arrive any day. We have been in this house for over 20 years and so far, so good.
Gin
Atlanta, GAAll you can do is cover the side vents. Chances are extremely good the female with brood them almost constantly until the weather warms.
Gin
Atlanta, GAWhat I would do at this point is wedge a piece of grass in the hole and see if it moves after 24 hours. If it doesn’t, then you can remove the egg and nest. Maybe somebody will try again. If they do, be very cautious with a guard. Some birds need a guard that barely covers the hole and no sides. After acceptance, you can gradually lengthen the front and add sides.
Gin
Atlanta, GAI’ve heard of that but I don’t know how effective it is. Some people try a piece of blue cloth. Don’t know about that one either. The strongest attractions are probably suitable housing and a large open space around the box for hunting.
Gin
Atlanta, GANicole, try the spooker again very gradually if you have HOSP. He might get used to it this time around. Have you seen HOSP? They are not necessarily everywhere. I don’t have them here.
Seriously, I don’t.Gin
Atlanta, GAIt’s only the second time they have accepted one of my boxes and in the words of Phil Robertson I am “happy happy happy”.
Gin
Atlanta, GAWhat kind of gap did you leave between the box entrance and the guard? They need 3″ to be able to easily negotiate a guard. Some females don’t readily accept any guard so it’s always a good idea to watch for that acceptance and immediately remove it if there is trouble. I understand wanting to protect them from HOWR. Been there for years.
Sorry, but you can’t incubate the egg. The only solution would be to find a nest with eggs that haven’t yet undergone incubation. That’s pretty difficult.
Gin
Atlanta, GAYou’re correct, Bob. You can’t get them if you don’t try. Who knows? You may get lucky and get them this year since they are around.
Gin
Atlanta, GA
