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In my experience even if a bluebird nests in a box with an old nest it still adds it’s own nesting material. It is just instinct. There’s a good chance they already started adding nesting material to the exsisting nest, that’s why we recommended that you do it in January. Keep us posted. I bet they come back in the next few months.
Tammy
I think the snake netting works, Lisa. As long as it’s high enough and bushy enough. Sorry, you are having snake problems. I’m so glad we don’t have many up here. Only on one nest did I find a whole nest of newly hatched babies missing. One day they were there and the next day everyone was missing. The nest wasn’t messed up and so I thought it had to be a snake. That was the only time.
Tammy
Lisa, I saw a house sparrow take out hatchlings one at a time. I’ve never seen a momma bird take out one of her own eggs, although sometimes there’s one missing. I agree, most of the time she just leaves it in the nest.
Tammy
Someone on here talked about getting or building one, I can’t remember who. And Fred knows a little about them. I’m not a believer yet. Yes, the adults have a second escape route but it also means that the House Sparrows have a second entrance route to get the eggs and babies. But, some people think they’re the best thing out there. Give it a try and see what you think.
Tammy
Did you take it out in the middle of Jan when you first asked us this question? Or just recently? Had you bluebirds already started adding tonitnwhen you removed it?
Tammy
Lisa, it very well could be a HOSP or a house wren. I had a HOSP a couple of years ago that would remove tiny babies one at a time. And house wrens are notorious for doing that to eggs. But if you have never seen a HOSP at your house then I doubt it’s a HOSP. Do you have house wrens? Where do you live? It’s too early for house wren activity up here. Hopefully the momma took it out. All you can do is watch.
Tammy
Yep. I know a lot of people, who use the netting. I wasn’t sure whether or not they would always get tangled if they tried to climb up. I don’t believe we have very many snakes here so people up here don’t use the netting.
Tammy
Thank you for letting those birds out since you weren’t sure. Many people kill native birds I’m afraid. House finches have stripes on their chest. The female house sparrow does not. I’ll get to my computer and show you some photos. But in a nutshell a female house sparrow has a light colored chest,NO stripes on the chest, No spot on his chest.
So sorry about your male bluebird. We all know how you feel! It’s awful to find.
Tammy
Connie,I have run across a few people who have had bluebirds nest closer than 300 ft but it is not the norm at all. You could try it. I bet you could get tree swallows. Is there water nearby? Tree swallows will nest close to bluebirds. Chickadees would be fun too.
Tammy
I don’t have a nest yet but thankfully mine seem to take forever to lay eggs in the first nest of the season. It is nerve wracking!
Tammy
Just in case your thinking that removing the nest had something to do with your bluebirds not being around….it does not. Removing the nest was the right thing to do. Hopefully they have not chosen another place to nest …time will tell. But even then, they usually have two or even three nests per season so you still have opportunity to have them at your place. Sorry…those blues are so unpredictable!!
Tammy
