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The only thing you can do is put a predator guard around the tree using some sort of aluminum/metal that you wrap around the tree. It’s been done before, I’m just not sure exactly what people have used. I’ll look it up.
Oh, I just thought of another solution and that is to put up a pole about 5 ft away from that tree where nothing can drop down on it. Put it right in front of where the house was on the tree and maybe at the same height. You would have to wait there and see if the bluebirds accepted it but I’m really almost positive they would.
Otherwise you’re just going to have to let it be and hope for the best. Predation is very likely but there are people that have boxes on trees that have successfulness nestings so it may work.Tammy
Did you say you got a trap? What kind did you get? The repeating trap? If you did you’ll need to really brush up on your birds because house sparrow is the only “Bad” bird. The other native sparrows are not an issue and need to be protected.
Tammy
Another thing you might want to buy is a Van Ert trap. In case House Sparrows try to take over. https://vanerttraps.com/shop (First one)
You can wait but if you need it you need it!!Tammy
Nest boxes draw them more than anything! Nesting season is almost over but they love to investigate nest boxes so there’s a good chance they’ll find it before next year. A lot of people have them in their suburban back yard.
Tammy
I think occasionally playing the bluebird song is not a bad thing. Just don’t do it too much. Do it after you put your box up.
Boy! You went from not wanting to put up a box to having a fully loaded nestbox with baffle and everything! That’s amazing. A nestbox will draw in bluebirds better than anything. It will be easier for the bluebirds to find your mealworms once they have found your box. So I would Store your mealworms in your fridge until you can get that up.Tammy
Here’s the best way to use fishing line. I’ve heard this works well and it can be kept on the box instead of taking it down in between nests. https://ohiobluebirdsociety.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/Monofilament-Sparrow-Spooker.pdf
Did you just decide to put up a nestbox? I thought you were mainly interested in feeding them only? I’m excited for you. You’ll love it!Tammy
Watch out for meal moths or pantry moths! I did this once and never again. I had them in my basement because the garage was too cold during the winter and meal moths laid eggs in the wheat bran substrate and I didn’t see the cotton candy like webbing in the containers and before I knew it there were meal moths ALL OVER my house. I still have a few. But not like before but it’s from the seed in my garage. It was awful! But I envy you at being able to pull this off!!
Tammy
By the way JTL. Is the feeder you bought the blue one that is advertised here? I love that feeder!! You’ll like it. I can give you hints on helping your bluebirds find your mealworm feeder.
I know you said you don’t want to put a nest box up but I think you’d love watching that!! So keep an open mind. You may change your mind!Tammy
Tim: I’m sure you are right and it’s bluebird eggs. You know the shape and slight tint of Tree Swallow eggs. I always like to see the white eggs.
AIH “That’s right about white eggs. Those females will lay white eggs throughout their life.
No hard and fast rules. The saying is “they don’t read the bluebird books” or something like that. It’s really much more clever sounding than that. LOLTammy
My guess is it’s the same pair. They usually choose the same box. They’re very territorial and don’t allow other bluebirds in their area.
They can easily start a new nest about 14 days after the previous nest fledged. And sometimes unfortunately they start a nest even earlier and let their fledglings fend for themselves. That’s not a good outcome.
I think I did have 4 nests one year but 3 is more reasonable. But it definitely could happen. Keep us posted.Tammy
