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They will learn, Nicole. It just takes time. Sometimes a couple of weeks. Do they still perch on the old feeder? If so put a few mealworms right inside the grid or even on the lip (when you know they are around) and see if they see them while they perch on the old feeder. The other birds can snag those mealworms so it’s only when the bluebirds are around.
Tammy
This contains directions on making a baffle. http://bluebirdnutcafe.yuku.com/topic/5934/How-I-install-a-nest-box#.V1rkGvkrKUk
Tammy
Was the nest messed up at all when you saw that the eggs had disappeared? A raccoon can be up that pole in an instant. Please baffle it. Look up at the topics at the top of the page for an easy way to baffle your box.
Tammy
I doubt those eggs will be viable now. I think you should start over. It could have been a house wren or a house sparrow.
Tammy
Chrissie. Trap those little troublemakers! I’ll give you some hints for your DRST.
1. Not only put seed in the bait area but also sprinkle the landing pad and on the top where there’s a little wood and around the base of the trap. This is to get them coming to the trap area. Later maybe just sprinkle some on the landing pad and of course bait area.
2. Use white millet or a mixed seed with plenty of white millet. Here they aren’t fond of the red kind. If that doesn’t try all the other suggested bait ideas.
3. Place the trap where your birds are perching. Mine was right under a fence and then later I moved to their favorite shrub and now I have it under my feeder.
4. Once you get one, keep it alive and well by putting bird cage feeders (with hooks) in with food and water. These will serve as decoys and will draw other birds in more than the food will.
5. Get a Van Ert trap too. That’s a inbox trap and you can easily trap a HOSP that is trying to nest in your box with that trap and then transfer it to the holding area of the DRST.
6. I took HOSP far away at first but finally realized I was causing problems elsewhere and so started disposing of them. I can PM you later with an easy method using ether (starter fluid).Tammy
Yay on the TRES. I would keep getting new TRES pairs if I kept putting up boxes. I really have too many hear. I put a box up as a trap box for HOSP and a new TRES pair took it! Grrr. I have probably 8 boxes at home full of TRES eggs.
Congrats on your trapping!!
Tammy
I move the babies around with my finger if I feel it is needed. And you have plenty of time for a second nesting. I don’t know if you will but you have time.
Tammy
I used to clean it out with bleach, then just cleaned out with water and now I just scrape the old nest out and leave it like that. The only time I scrub with water is when it had TRES in there and they made a mess….which is most of the time!
Tammy
How neat! We rarely have people out west on here. So excited to hear about your western bluebirds! So nice hearing from you again, Perry!!
Tammy
