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I don’t have experience, but I’ve heard (think on Sialis) that you can put Diatemaceous Earth (powder) in box without affecting mom or babies. I would double check that, but your plan sounds good to me. I haven’t greased poles yet either. This is a good reminder. Thanks & Good luck!
Nicole
Definitely don’t give up, Mel. We all learn as we go along. The CACH may try again. I think they usually have one brood/year, but they all seem to try again upon failure. Sometimes, they look for new location upon failure, so if you’re able to move that box further from EABL box, it just may work. EABL are my favorites, but I’d love to have CACH nest with me sometime. So sorry for your loss!
Nicole
Lisa, I read about 3rd egg on other post & now, I’m reading that you did put up wren guard. I’m so excited they’re accepting both!! Actually, midnight calls are fine, but I’m sure you’re exhausted after a long day. You just call when it works for you & let me know when would be a good time to call back if I don’t answer. But seriously, it’s rare for me not to be up at midnight. For some reason, I feel better at night. Very excited your blues have gotten back to it!
Hey Brad- I’m challenged with keeping my boxes far enough from structures (trees, shrubs,fences, etc.), because my yard is so small. I guess it’s according to if a predator could climb the shed & how tall it is. Most sites recommend placing boxes at least 50 feet away from anything a predator could climb. Seems a little extreme, but I guess raccoons, cats, squirrels, etc., will climb & jump if they’re really hungry. For fledgers first flight, it is a good idea to have a tree in site at a reasonable distance for them to reach. Can anyone else jump in? It’s definitely a challenge for me to find a really open location where I live. Never want to lead anybody astray.
Nicole
That is a female house sparrow in your pic. Notice how sharp their beaks are. That’s their destructive weapon. Males are the most vicious & are darker brown with black heads/throats/beards. Just look up pics online. I will let others comment on traps, which many find necessary. At the least, get a sparrow spooker & put on box after 1st bluebird egg is laid & leave on until babies fledge. Sialis.org should map out everything you need to know to control HOSP.
One more comment. Did you say your box was being put up 15 feet from a shed? I would try to get it further away (that counts for any structure that a predator could climb & jump on box). Best of luck!
Nicole
Gin mentioned slick pole with baffle earlier. In order to minimize predators, both boxes should be protected like this. Forgive me if I’m behind. You may have already done this.
Nicole
The feeder on this site comes highly recommended- keeps squirrels & bgger birds out. It is more expensive, though. If you need to pay less & have a Wild Birds Unlimited close by, I’d stop in there & ask them to recommend one of their feeders.
Nicole
They do sometimes build more than one nest, but it seems to me they’re interested in settling down in your box. You never know, but I think you’ll see an egg any day now.
Nicole
Lisa- Ditto to what Carol said. Sounds like a plan to make sure they’re accepting each one at a time. I know you’ve got a lot on your plate, so just call me whenever it works for you. I think I left my number with you? My EABL babies hatched today (may have already mentioned that). Surprisingly, parents didn’t dive bomb me.
Nicole
I ordered an extra spooker, but just got it. TUTI have laid eggs & think one has hatched? They keep them hidden away, so I had to dig around a little bit to see them. Lord, they have everything in that nest! I did see a HOSP approach the box & look in yesterday. I hope they don’t wreak havoc! EABL’s should hatch within next 2 days. Good luck to everyone!
Nicole
