Forum Replies Created
-
Posts
-
Good morning, Ben, and welcome! I am your neighbor, for all intent and purposes, as I live here in Bedford! I am an avid birder, and I feed throughout the late summer to early spring of the next year. We were fortunate to have 22 bluebirds spend the entire winter with us, this year. I am on 3 acres with two nest boxes, but only one has attracted a nesting pair of BBs. The boxes are not quite far enough away from each other, so I am hoping for tree swallows to move in to the second nest box. As for the mealworms, it is not a prerequisite to attracting bluebirds to nest boxes. I feed my blues a great crumble containing mealworms in the winter, but I do not feed during the nesting season, until they have hatchlings to feed. Great to have you as part of the forum!
Randy
Bedford, New HampshireCongratulations, David!!! Beyond awesome news! They look great! Keep us informed.
My mama laid two eggs, took a day off (I saw the same two eggs the next day), and today, she won’t leave the nest. My take is she has laid 1-3 more eggs, and has decided to begin incubating right away. Will let you know.Randy
Bedford, New HampshireMakes sense. Keep in mind: plugged nest boxes infuriate HOSPs; often times making them more aggressive in their pursuit of “open” (EABL claimed) boxes.
Randy
Bedford, New HampshireHi, Deb! I would consider leaving one of the empty nest boxes open, for trapping purposes, but I would be inclined to at least remove the other empty box. My rationale is that empty nest boxes attract HOSP; and trapping one in a nest box is the third best scenario, in my opinion. Best, is not having them present or interested in your property. Second is baiting and trapping high volumes of HOSP using a DRST away from any nest boxes, and third is attracting them to a nest box and trapping them one at a time. Just my opinion. Wishing you all the best!
Randy
Bedford, New HampshireNevermind. Had not seen mama in the past day or so. Then I saw her sticking her head out of the box, this morning, so I checked after she left. Turned out, she had already laid two eggs. Sparrow spooker deployed.
Randy
Bedford, New HampshireThank you, Lisa and Nicole! My blues did fine while I was away, The nest is complete (it has been for over a week), and they guard it until about noon everyday, but mama has yet to lay a single egg. Rainy and chilly, so it’s obviously best that they continue to wait. My house finches are working overtime to keep their eggs warm. I keep a recessed flood light on over their hanging plant, to help them out.
Randy
Bedford, New HampshireI totally agree; Carolina Wrens are spectacular birds. I had a pair spend the winter, but I cannot find them now. They are beautiful, friendly, and musical I am hoping for them to come back and claim my second nest box. If not, I’ll take a pair of TRES, when they arrive in NH.
Randy
Bedford, New HampshireThank you, Dana and Connie! I am so invested in my bluebirds, I have to admit. I so want to see these fantastic birds succeed on my property, but I understand the risks. Currently, I am in Chicago on business, so I hope all is well when I return this coming weekend. I will keep you posted. Thank you, again!
Randy
Bedford, New HampshireNot THAT”S a good looking nest! Congratulations, David!! Keep the updates coming. Our Blues up north are taking their sweet old time getting started…
Randy
Bedford, New HampshireHi, Lisa! I live in New Hampshire, and I had a flock of 22 spend the entire winter with me. Like Carol, I prepare homemade treats for them. I make a crumble of corn meal, flour, peanuts, sunflower chips, dried currants, peanut butter, mealworms, and lard.
Randy
Bedford, New HampshireGusano, I have no idea if one can, or how one might, PM on this site. If anyone knows, just PM me. :)
Randy
Bedford, New HampshireNot certain you could actually get this wrong, Mel. Add it; don’t add it. Use a hand screwdriver, or a power driver. I think the outcome will be the same: BCCH chicks will be fine, and the BBs will be annoyed the entire time they are there. I also doubt the BCCHs would abandon the nest box full of chicks, due to a brief period of power tool noise. You may want to avoid glue, due to the potential for toxic ingredients in weatherproof glue products, but even that is more theoretical, than practical.
Randy
Bedford, New Hampshire
