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Thank you, Judy, for reinforcing that I did the right thing. I really hope the bluebirds will come back.
Carol
East TennesseeI just came back to say that I took the trap out of the box. If I see the male HOSP come back and go in the box I’ll set it up again. Maybe he’s gone, and the bluebirds can have a second nesting in the box. I am so upset with myself for not realizing that my old Van Ert trap was missing in the first place. Then I had to order one and wait a week for it to arrive.
Carol
East TennesseeChris and Judy,
When I installed the Van Ert trap on my side door box, the instructions said to drill the holes from the outside of the box all the way through using the template. Then I just needed to screw the screws through the holes on the inside. It wasn’t as hard that way, but was still difficult to get my hands in the box to screw the screws.
I haven’t seen the male HOSP since setting the trap yesterday. I did just see a bluebird at my mealworm feeder. I haven’t seen a bluebird in a few days. I’m thinking about taking the trap out of the box for now until I see a HOSP. Maybe the bluebirds will come back to inspect the box. What would you all do?
Carol
Carol
East TennesseeChris, I used a clear bag to cover the box and catch the female HOSP. It’s too hard to be positive it’s a HOSP I caught with a white bag. I learned to do that by watching a You Tube video. That’s a good idea to throw the nest on the ground beside the box. I’ve still got the nest. I think I’ll put some of it back in the box and some on the ground.
I hope the male HOSP comes back, but I have a feeling he might not until the bluebirds start coming around again. I have a feeling the bluebirds won’t be back since I haven’t seen them in a while.
Carol
East TennesseeThe Van Ert trap came today, and I installed it in the nest box after removing the HOSP nest. It took a while to install it because it’s a side entry box which makes it more difficult. I finally got it in though. I caught the female HOSP immediately but haven’t seen the male. I’m wondering if he saw me messing with the box and won’t come back to inspect it.
Another bird went in and didn’t trigger the trap. I think it was a house wren but am not sure. I can’t think of anything else it could be. It definitely wasn’t a Carolina wren. Do you think the male HOSP will come back and go in an empty box? They had been building the nest for a week, and there was an egg in it. I had to remove it to set the trap,
Unfortunately I haven’t seen the bluebirds all week. I haven’t seen the babies since they fledged on May 19th.
Carol
East TennesseeCarol,
They fledged on the 19th, so I’ve still got enough time for the Van Ert trap to get here and catch the HOSPs. That’s good to know. Thank you.
Carol
Carol
East TennesseeThank you Carol. It was only the male when I put the spooker up, and I don’t think there was nesting material in there at that time. That makes sense, though, that he was already committed to that box. I only have one box up. I hope the trap comes before it’s time for the bluebirds to start on their second nest. How old are the babies when they start on the second nest?
Carol
East TennesseeThank you Carol. I haven’t seen a HOSP at all around here in years, but I’ll still put the sparrow spooker up. I have the base for the sparrow spooker on the nest box now. I’m not sure if the new sparrow spooker will work with what I already have. I’m going to email the man who sells them and ask him.
I don’t have house wrens around here either.
Carol
East TennesseeI just wanted to add that I saw the bluebird sticking its head out of the nest box just now. I do wonder what removing the nesting material from the nest meant. I was so afraid he was choosing another nest box for some reason.
Carol
East TennesseeI hope we’ll all be on the same schedule. I have a full nest and need to check for an egg today.
Carol
East TennesseeThank you Dana. I’ll try the mirror today. A strange thing just happened. The bluebird was sitting on top of the nest box. Then he (she?–I couldn’t tell because of the glare of the sun) went in and took some nesting material out and flew away with it. What could that mean?
Carol
East TennesseeThank you Carol. I didn’t check for an egg today but will tomorrow. It was beautiful today. I think the nights won’t be so cold later this week.
Carol
East Tennessee
