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Thank you so much, Fred! You are the man! If you don’t mind me asking, what box or boxes do you prefer using for EABL? Thanks again!
Nicole
Birmingham, AL
Hi Tammy-
I would be interested in best ways to euthanize & dispose of HOSP. I’m going to start trapping, but that is my biggest question & dilemma. Could you personal message me when you get a chance about this? Would be very helpful. Thanks!
Nicole
Birmingham, ALWell, if that new pair sets up shop, definitely get the sparrow spooker up after the 1st egg. Trying to learn more about the two-holed mansions myself. I’m all for a BB gun, trap, whatever! Sure hope it works out for this new pair.
Nicole
I’ve heard that they’re not real receptive to the bluebird nuggets, but I haven’t tried them. Mine love the dried mealworms, though. I feed the real ones during nesting season & the dried ones throughout the year. Gin is right, though. Other birds love mealworms as well, which I didn’t mind until a fat robin & mockingbird were eating the majority of them. I’m going to get a feeder where only smaller birds can get in to eat mealworms. Once they get used to it, I’ll put some out for the bigger birds too in the current feeder, but will limit them so that I don’t have to make constant mealworm runs.
Nicole
I’ve heard of some recipes where kitten or dog kibble are added to the mealworms along with other things. I read that rehabbers feed babies with a recipe that contains kitten kibble & mealworms. Our local rehabber does use both dog & kitten kibble in recipes to feed babies or sick birds.
The calcium powder is recommended for nestlings because mealworms are high in protein, but low in calcium. They need the calcium to make their growing bones/wings stronger. Some suggest to add calcium to ensure female lays healthy eggs. The reason why I’m trying it this season is because I had 2 fledgers last year that couldn’t yet take flight. At first, I was coating the mealworms more than I am now because my blues weren’t as receptive. Now, they have no problem with it. I bought a nice sized bottle of calcium carbonate powder for ~ $8 online. Calcium citrate is supposed to be fine too. Would think you could find it locally too.
Nicole
(how birds reacted to calcium powder at first)I know you’re an experienced bluebirder, so I apologize for asking this, but did you have a sparrow spooker up? Not sure if you had eggs yet? Just trying to learn more myself. It’s got to be more difficult staying on top of these things when you have a trail.
I know that you must be really nervous for that new pair. Glad they’re there, but wish you could’ve trapped those HOSP. Praying that it all works out!
Nicole
How devastating! That angers me to no end! Would definitely use the Van Ert to capture that nasty bully. So so sorry! That’s just awful.
Nicole
I do hope this is a successful nesting for you & the blues this time. I’ve got 6 4-day old bluebird babies & have the sparrow spooker up too. I’ve seen a pair of HOSP hanging around & the male fly up to the box a couple of times where the female bluebird shooed him away. Just praying that those babies successfully fledge. Bless those innocent little things!
Nicole
Birmingham, AL.
Glad to hear more about the monofilament because I didn’t want to make any suggestions with no experience & not knowing about any research. Thanks for the Sialis info, Gin. That’s something I may try in the future.
I wanted to ask more about the 2-holed houses. Why isn’t everyone using so that the parents have a way to escape if under attack? I read the info that phillyblues sent, but would love to hear what others’ experiences & thoughts are. What are the cons of a 2-holed box?
I’m so thankful for this forum!
Nicole
Thanks, Gin & Tammy! I bought this padded material that has adhesive on one side to cover each side if the box (except the entrance, of course). Eggs haven’t hatched yet & the temps aren’t as low as were originally forecasted. After tomorrow morning, it will warm up, so hoping they will hatch Sunday or Monday. Any time now…
Nicole.
That would terrify me to see a starling in one of my houses’. Hope you are able to trap it, but hopefully it won’t fit once you get a hole reducer on it. Good luck!
Nicole
Hi Missy-
Maybe someone else could comment further that’s more experienced. My understanding, though, is that the monofilament string is a form of deterring HOSP, so I would probably remove it too, until you get your 1st egg.Nicole
Hi Missy-
The box looks fine as long as all the measurements are correct. I wanted to ask you if those halo-type objects are on your box to deter HOSP. If so, I’d remove them until you have the first egg laid. It could be that those fixtures are keeping bluebirds away, too, but once they lay an egg, they are committed. That’s when you put up your sparrow spooker & immediately remove it once all have fledged so HOSP don’t start getting comfortable with it, but you may already know that.
Gin is more experienced than I am, but I just wanted to comment on the fixtures on & around your box.
Nicole
