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Only 9 fledges out of my 12 nestbox Trail (2 boxes are for TRES) gives one an idea of just how much the mid-February freeze in states to our south (where blues winter over) resulted in the deaths due to snowfall and extended freeze.
A neighbor (gave him nestbox and training) has an ideal yard location overlooking a park. He has consitently fledged 5-10 blues each year for the past ten years (Gilbertson PVC — plus mealworms). This year no blues no nest. He didn’t see even one bluebird all summer.
Many Bluebird Trails whether with 10 or 100 boxes experienced a decline in EABL fledges from previous years. Not uncommon for a 70% decline in fledge counts by mid-June.
Besides fewer bluebirds also a noticeable decline in robins (and Wrens). The deep freeze in Arkansas was one state that contributed to Minnesota’s decline in bluebird fledges … https://www.nwaonline.com/news/2021/mar/09/birds-took-hit-during-deep-freeze/
Will post final EABL fledge counts for 2021 by reporting members of both BRPM(MN) and BRAW(WI) — usually posted by February. This will give an idea of just how significant the decline due to mid-February deep freeze where Minnesota’s Blues winter-over.
Zip-a-dee doo-dah, zip-a-dee-ay ... www.youtube.com/watch?v=eoEojphw7kk
2021 was not a good year in MN due to thousands of dead bluebirds due to prolonged freezing temps in states where our EABLs winter over. Not uncommon for members of BRPM to experience at least a 50% decline in nestling fledges from previous years.
That said one nurturing Bluebird Lady who calls them “my” bluebirds did herself proud in ‘21 … https://wildriveraudubon.com/eastern-bluebirds-in-wild-river-state-park/ … IMO, her bluebirds sense her loving caregiving and managed to keep themselves from freezing.
Thus my belief that women bluebirders have an advantage due to their nurturing instincts.
Much Success to You,
In Twenty Twenty-TwoZip-a-dee doo-dah, zip-a-dee-ay ... www.youtube.com/watch?v=eoEojphw7kk
My apology Carol, as i now see i was rude. Reread your post [at top of page] again … sounds like you will use the Gilwood you ordered for bluebirds and the WBU approved EABL nest box for wrens. At my age i don’t always get it right the first time … please forgive me. FWIW WBC stands for Wild Bird Center … https://www.wildbird.com/assets/1/18/DimRegular/WBC-TTBB1.jpg … they say it’s for bluebirds.
I’m 77 and an avid bluebirder since retiring 12 years ago. I’ve tried attracting bluebirds in my yard, but between the sparrows and wrens gave up as it was a non-productive frustrating experience. That’s when I decided to go with a Bluebird Trail of 10-12 boxes in neighboring golf course and parks. I use my adult electric Liberty Trike outfitted with large rear storage container for monitoring, annual upkeep, repairs and replacement.
Wishing you a Happy Thanksgiving, Mark
Zip-a-dee doo-dah, zip-a-dee-ay ... www.youtube.com/watch?v=eoEojphw7kk
I’m not changing my box because I think the one I have is more attractive to wrens and HOSP. It’s because I can’t use a wren guard with the v-shaped roof. Unfortunately, my back yard is small and I can’t move the box any further away from the trees than it is.
Did you mean to say “I’m changing my “bird house” to an approved EABL “nest box” because my WBC/WBU “bird house” is more attractive to wrens and HOSP then it is to bluebirds.”
In reading all the previous posts it’s apparent that you’ve done your fair share of due diligence in considering both the Gilbertson PVC and having already ordered a Gilwood. So make the Gilwood your EABL permanent “nest box” going forward.
Let the wrens and HOSP have the “attractive” WBC/WBU “bird house”. FWIW, Bluebirders never/ever use an enclosure that’s called a “bird house” with a “gabled” roof. You need to use an approved EABL “nest box” design and let the wrens and sparrows use that “attractive bird house” with its gabled roof.
Then in 2022, when/if necessary you’ll experiment with a wren guard, sparrow trap, and/or spooker for a most interesting learning experience. Unfortunately such are the unpleasant tasks facing an endearing homeowner making use of even the best designed EABL nest box in their beautiful backyard.
Zip-a-dee doo-dah, zip-a-dee-ay ... www.youtube.com/watch?v=eoEojphw7kk
It’s more about location, location, location than the nestbox design. Being your having problems with wrens (and HOSP) tells me your nestbox is too close to trees. Wrens are always going to be a problem with nextbox located in one’s yard within 50-100′ of trees.
I’ve made several of my own ‘unusual’ designs just to see if a EABL pair would take up occupancy. Bluebirds aren’t as fussy as one might think. Some of my nestboxes have an oval (vertical) opening like BRAW’s nestbox design … https://www.gannett-cdn.com/presto/2020/06/03/PMJS/79dc518b-57b5-414d-b0b5-a44b065c2f56-bluebird28p5.jpg … that they prefer, especially during busy in&out feeding of young.
My preferene is the Gilbertson with an oval opening for ease of monitoring. Also, hang the nestbox inside of those two pegs for squeezing the two sides instead of squeezing the front and back to release from roof. Gilwood is another excellent choice.
Zip-a-dee doo-dah, zip-a-dee-ay ... www.youtube.com/watch?v=eoEojphw7kk
Oh So Sorry for this third attempt to correct previous post as could only edit once. Hpefully … “the Third Time is the charm” … will correct the previous confusion (my fault) between number of EABL deaths in ’21 and resulting number of EABL fledges in ’21 …
Rough average estimate would be decline of say 1,000 mating pairs or 10,000 pairs (20,000 BBs)in just ten states for an average decline of 50,000 (not 100,000) EABL fledges in just ten states or on average a decline of 5,000 fledges in ten of the most “actively reporting” EABL northerly states.
TO CLARIFY SHOULD HAVE READ …
“Rough average estimate would be decline of say 1000 mating pairs in each of ten “actively reporting” states figuring a loss of at least 8000 fewer eggs (some nextboxes with two brood) per state resulting (we’ll estimate) in 5,000 fewer fledges reported in at least five “actively reporting” EABL northern states in 2021 compared to that states’ fledges in 2020.”
Should mention that our MN county coordinator mentioned that Indiana didn’t notice a significant EABL fledging decline because many of Indianas’ EABLs winter-over so fleddging numbers weren’t affected as more northerly states where there EABLs winter-over in SE states.
Would be interested in any northern 2021 state EABL reports comparing decline in EABL fledges from 2020.
Zip-a-dee doo-dah, zip-a-dee-ay ... www.youtube.com/watch?v=eoEojphw7kk
Correction of quoted portion posted again below …
(1,000 fewer mating pairs (2,000 BBs). Double that due to similar losses in another ten states and likely at least 100,000 dead EABLs due to Feb freezing in SE.
Rough average estimate would be decline of say 1,000 mating pairs or 10,000 pairs (20,000 BBs)in just ten states for an average decline of 50,000 (not 100,000) EABL fledges in just ten states or on average a decline of 5,000 fledges in ten of the most “actively reporting” EABL northerly states.
Would be interested in northerly state EABL 2021 fledging reports comparing decline numbers from 2020.
Thanks Again, Mark
Zip-a-dee doo-dah, zip-a-dee-ay ... www.youtube.com/watch?v=eoEojphw7kk
Most people here this year had pretty good nestings overall. But it will vary differently from area to area, from year to year.
Minnesota BBers had significant declines from 2020 (some as high as 70%) with my decline being 54% from 2020. Our Twin Cities county coordinator recently stated that there were “hundreds of thousands” of EABL deaths in February due to the freezing temps in SE states.
If on average (among ten reporting states) there were on average 5,000 fewer fledgings reported in ten “active reporting” states compared to 2020 could be interpreted to mean 1,000 fewer mating pairs (2,000 BBs). Estimate 8,000 fewer eggs (some with two broods), and a decline of 5,000 fewer fledges. Five thousand times 10 states equals 50,000 fewer EABLs in just ten states. Double that due to similar losses in another ten states and likely at least 100,000 dead EABLs due to Feb freezing in SE.
Would be of some interest if other “active” members from as many as ten “active reporting” states could post on this thread the perentage of decline in their fledging numbers from 2020 to fledges in 2021.
Even if just five members could post the decline in numbers for their state from 2020 to 2021 it would give us some idea how long it may take to rebound to 2020 fledge numbers. Thus, the importance in doing everything we can in 2022 to optimize the number of BB fledges.
Thanks, Mark
Zip-a-dee doo-dah, zip-a-dee-ay ... www.youtube.com/watch?v=eoEojphw7kk
