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Josie. Welcome. Glad you found us. Like I told GS, this is a small group to begin with and usually members don’t look at the comments in this introduction thread so from now on, start a new post for more comments.
Not sure what’s going on. It may be that the momma bluebird is sneaking in without you seeing her or maybe something happened to her. If something happened to her I’m sure he will find a new mate. Have you checked inside the box? There might be a full nest and even eggs in there already.Tammy
Hi GS. Welcome. You’ll get more comments if you start a new thread instead of writing all of this under the introduction one. I know you are asked to introduce yourself here but not many people look at this. I am also from North Ohio. Near Toledo.
Concerning your house sparrow problems, you are trapping with an inbox type trap instead of removing nests? If you have a ton of house sparrows you might want to invest in a ground repeating trap. You can catch a ton that way.
But like I said, it will just be me talking to you in this thread so go ahead and start a new one.Tammy
Chris, you are from Toledo? Have we talked about this before? That’s where I’m from. I remember there was one person from Toledo, but can’t remember if it was you or someone else. I’m in Monclova now…used to live in Perrysburg.
Tammy
I sent her an email with those photos. Where did you get that idea? Was it on The DRST website? I’ve never seen it. Can I use your photos if needed on a Purple Martin FB group? And it’s OK, I’ll make sure I’ll give you credit if you want but will need your last name.
Tammy
Nancy. I’ll just use your email and copy Chris’s photos and send them to you. Hope that’s OK, Chris.
Tammy
Thanks for answering, Chris. I’ve never made a squirrel adjustment to my trap so I can’t help. I have no squirrels. Nice, huh?
It’s true, Nancy. You’ll get more immediate help if you join a FB group. Bluebird or Purple Martin groups would have ideas about this. Let me see if I can get to Chris’s photo and help you find it.Tammy
It sounds like you have everything right. I’d just suggest that you buy a Van Ert trap. It goes inside your box. They only cost about $10. You install screws under the hole and when you have a house sparrow that is claiming that box you set the trap. A must because you’ll be so disappointed of you get bluebirds and a house sparrow takes over their nest or worse. Pulling nests doesn’t work. They will keep building. I had one that even got a new female 4 or 5 times and would not give up.https://vanerttraps.com/
Tammy
Supposedly the Blink Camera will fit at the top of your box. It’s small. A lot of people on my Martin GroupWise them. There on sale often on Amazon. Id be glad to show you the one I have on video chat some how.
Tammy
Flipper. The mealworms don’t usually draw bluebirds to a feeder. A nestbox does though. Do you have it placed on a metal pole? Don’t put it on a tree because raccoons can raid it easily. Even if you use a metal pole it should be baffled. Also, the bluebirds kind of like open spaces so putting it on a tree would not help them find you.
Tammy
Hey, Carol. I’m not familiar with nestbox cameras except for the Blink. Looks like you’ll have to either change out your nestbox for a deeper one or decide on a different camera.
If you’re on FB, there are a lot of bluebird groups and I’m sure there are people there that have suggestions.
I know one guy that has cameras in his boxes but I know he uses blink cameras. I’ll ask him.Tammy
Chris. 😂 No, but I’m sure that’s what it seems like. It’s just so easy for starlings to reach their head in and get food. So, that’s probably what’s happening. Keep trying.
Tammy
Hey Connie. 14 is a good outcome. I have a white egg laying female again and she had several nests that failed. Eggs didn’t hatch, or HOSP attacked them. This happened the year before too. But I did have another pair that raised young and I also had 2 released in my property from our local rehab center.
I have 7 that are visiting me. We have snow on the ground too. Right now we are out of town. I hope they fare well in these cold temps without help this week.Tammy
I have no berry trees at my house so I can’t help you.
I’m hoping the blues are munching on berries somewhere right now because it’s been cold and I haven’t seen them for about 4 days.Tammy
Great job!!!
I said the same thing over the years…”I’ll never make a dent in my HOSP population.” At the time i could see 80-100 at any given time in my yard. Now the most I see together is around 6. I’m amazed at the difference I’ve made.
The bad news is, this 6 or so HOSP still wreck havoc on my bluebird nestboxes. 😢Tammy
