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David, I have a box in back, but it’s rare to see the TRES go back there for some reason. But maybe they’ll explore if they can’t get their regular spot. The front yard is full. Thank you!!
Tammy, these are the best questions! The Gilbertsons is too small for TRES to develop their wing muscles. TRES have chosen it in the past, but the blues chased ’em off. That’s when I tried to find a suitable box for them. They need more space for the babies to flap to strengthen those wing muscles, because they eat, drink, etc. all in flight. The box I have with the oval opening is this one Duncraft Swallow Bird House (link: https://www.duncraft.com/Duncraft-Swallow-Bird-House). I misspoke before–The oval is to deter HOSP, not blues, but I’ve found that the blues can’t really get into it unless they’re little ones. They try, but the female blues never seem to go in. This is all just anecdotal info–my experience. Duncraft says HOSP can’t get in easily, but trust me, they do! I’ve trapped 10 in there so far this winter! I’m just wondering if I should hope for the best. It’s confusing. I’ve never had a bluebird even look at that house, but the male blue is sitting on it daily singing. I think he’s hooked on it. Hence my concern. Thank you!!
Sally, I want to encourage you. I’ve had 2 male blues singing their hearts out in SE PA for a couple weeks, but with the unsettled weather, there’s no early nesting activity (compared to last year, when they had a nest ready at this point!). We usually have tree swallows and they have returned on 3-26 to the day for several years. This year, they just showed up today, a week later. So I would agree with Carol–I’m sure your fellow will find a Mrs., especially with a nice enclosed feeder stocked with mealworms! He’s found a great home in your yard and will likely persist ’til he finds a mate.
David, I was thinking about you this weekend and last, wondering how the mealworm farm is going. Thank you for posting an update! I haven’t been on the forum in awhile. Just so busy with canning & garden wrap-up. Connie, so glad to hear you’re getting into the mealworm biz, too!! I’m still pondering if I can swing another chore into the mix. Best wishes to you with keeping all your blues happy, you all!!!
Carol, so glad at least some of the blues survived. That’s great you got to see them after the storm. Maybe once that cardinal plumps up on your worms she won’t be able to fit in the feeder!! I share your hopes that next year will be normal life and that all are well.
You shared a comment a few weeks ago about your husband’s thoughts on withholding mowing ’til the blues fledged. I shared that with my husband, who laughed. His favorite line is, “Are you letting the birds rule our lives?” Yes, I am. It’s so funny.
Tree swallows are swooping around today. They showed up yesterday. I haven’t seen the blues for awhile, so that’s the case for feeding worms. I’ll see them again after frost. They show up regularly then for water.
One last update: I caught 35 HOSP in 3 weeks back in July, so that was quite successful. I’ve just spotted 2 HOSP in the yard this week, so if more show up, I’ll try again. Hope everyone is doing well!!
Thank you for including that link, Phillyblues! You mentioned that before and I couldn’t find the link. I really wanted to see this! Today part of the bluebird clutch fledged. There’s still at least one in the box. Well, when the one I saw took off for the wild blue yonder, it flew past the little magnolia near the box and headed toward the towering oaks across the street (where they usually go). As it headed over, two HOSP intercepted it and drove it to the ground! They didn’t make contact, but it ended up under a neighbor’s car, under the oaks!! What a crazy mess. Never knew that could happen!! Papa was feeding him and then he disappeared, so guessing he’s in the oaks or the holly hedge over there. Those dang HOSP. Can’t say one good thing about them, except how great they look in a trap!
That’s exactly the kind of info I wanted to know, Judy! You are a mindreader. It sounds like so much fun!! One last question: What kind(s) of mealworm feeder are you using?
Carol, the bread in my bait area is rock hard now, altho’ it’s been that way a few days when I was catching more. I only caught 1 today, but saw another dozen still flitting about. I’m going to add some fresh bread tomorrow. Mine was out 3 days with no action before any hopped in. Fingers crossed for both of us!!!
It’s cute and has a nice design, but in my yard, HOSP would use that diagonal piece to clutch on and enter. Those pesky sparrows! I’d remove that diagonal piece of wood. Sparrows would sit on the roof of one of my boxes and lean down into the hole to bother chickadees, so maybe I’d remove that top strip, too. But that’s just me in this sparrow-plagued environment! I like the roof line a lot.
Carol, I’ve found if they are used to eating something like BOSS, if they nibble at your feeders, then they’ll be lured in with that. I buy a super cheap finch mix (mostly millet) at Walmart that I sprinkle around in front of the trap lightly. That just lures them in near the feeder. But the key is white bread. I put old white bread from the discount shelf in the bait area beyond the drop arm.
I buy packs of day-old buns of some type so I can freeze them and just pull one out when I need it. Freezer burn doesn’t seem to bother the HOSP! Do you have any hot dog or burger buns around from picnics?
Donna, I have babies about the fledge in the next day or so. I’ve been wondering if a 3rd nesting could be possible. We’ll see! Hope you have great success!!!!
Carol, I hope that works for you!!! I put the repeating trap out this past Monday, and one week later, I have caught 15. Today a male was sitting beside the trap (which had 7 females in it) chirping at them. Eventually, fingers crossed, he’ll fall for all those girls!!
